If you or your child hurt your foot or ankle while exercising, sports medicine can prevent the injury from worsening and promote healing. At Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC, located in Methuen, Massachusetts, board-certified podiatric surgeons and wound care specialists Nicholas A. Ciotola, DPM, Dennis Ryan, DPM, and the team offer podiatric sports medicine to amateur athletes, weekend warriors, and active kids and teens. Call Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC to request a sports medicine consultation or make your appointment online today.

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What is sports medicine in podiatry?

The sports medicine specialists at Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC diagnose and treat activity-related injuries. This type of podiatry is especially beneficial for runners, athletes, and other people who regularly exercise.

If you play sports or work a strenuous job, it’s crucial you take steps to prevent injuries. Even so, accidents happen. If you or a loved one hurt your foot or ankle while exercising or competing, contact Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC immediately.

What types of foot and ankle injuries can benefit from sports medicine?

The Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC team uses sports medicine to treat various foot and ankle injuries, including:

  • Achilles tendon tears and ruptures
  • Foot, ankle, and toe fractures
  • Ankle sprains
  • Dislocated joints

You might benefit from sports medicine if you have an overuse injury, like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or joint sprains.

Should I see a foot doctor for sports medicine?

Make an appointment with the Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC team if you experience a foot or ankle injury and you’re unable to put weight on or walk with the affected limb. That’s especially true if the injury occurs alongside swelling, severe pain, or sensitivity to touch.

What happens during a sports medicine visit?

Your Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC provider reviews your medical records and asks about your injury, including what you were doing when it happened, what it feels like, and if the pain is worse when you stand up or walk.

Next, they examine your foot and ankle, checking for bruising, swelling, or redness. Your provider tests your range of motion, muscle strength, and flexibility and runs tools across the bottoms of your feet, checking your ability to feel sensations.

Some sports injuries are visible to the eye, but if your provider suspects a fracture or a ruptured tendon, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI. These procedures allow your podiatrist to look at your bones, joints, and soft tissues.

Your doctor will ask about what sports you play, what kind of surfaces you run on, what kinds of shoes you wear, and how many miles you cover per week.

How are sports-related foot and ankle injuries treated?

The Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC team treats sports injuries using a conservative and minimally invasive approach. They may recommend:

  • Rest, ice, compression, elevation
  • Physical therapy
  • Activity modification
  • Immobilization with a cast or a splint
  • Custom orthotics
  • Oral or topical anti-inflammatory medication
  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy works by emitting an acoustic wave through a handheld device into areas where you are experiencing pain. The high energy produced by the device reaches deep into your tissues, tendons, and bones to promote regeneration and the natural healing processes of your body. Shockwave therapy is non-invasive and can provide immediate relief from your painful symptoms.

If your injury doesn’t improve with conservative treatments, you may benefit from minimally invasive surgery. Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC offers several types of minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, including Arthrex® Bunionectomy.

Call Methuen Podiatry Associates, PC to explore the benefits of sports medicine, or make your appointment online today.