Sports Injuries – King of Prussia

At Advanced Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, we offer 5-star treatment for sports injuries. Dr. Wawrzynek’s expert training and personal experience can aid you in finding the solutions that help you get the desired results.

Causes of Sports Injuries

Sports injuries occur for various reasons but often happen because athletes of all levels fail to warm up or stretch before exercising. They can also occur because of improper gear, poor training, accidents, or being out of shape.

We Are Here for You

When it comes to selecting the right sports gear or right shoes, we can help you navigate these complex choices to make the right selections for you.

Consider the following:

  • Did you know that the gear you use on your feet and ankles can help or harm you?
  • What are the right shoes for you? What do all of the terms and technology in athletic shoes really mean–minimalist, trail running, motion control?
  • What about insoles and orthotics? Do they really work and how?
  • What about ankle braces? Do they help or hurt you?
  • Even socks can have an impact, but how?

If you have a sports-related foot or ankle injury or just want to increase your speed and stamina, make an appointment today. We have the same technology right in our podiatry office that professional athletes enjoy. We know how to make your feet work smarter, not harder!

Who We Treat

We treat athletes of all ages, including children, teenagers, and active adults. High school athletes can be prone to many foot and ankle injuries that can cause long-term problems if left untreated.

From ankle sprains and fractures in basketball to ingrown toenails in soccer players, we are here to help. Don’t get sidelined by a foot or ankle injury. We can offer you a simple solution.

Common Sports Injuries We Treat

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Wellness Center, we treat a wide range of foot and ankle injuries that impact athletes, including:

  • Plantar fasciitis or heel pain
  • Tendonitis and tendinosis
  • Achilles tendon issues
  • Stress fractures
  • Metatarsal pain and calluses
  • Hallus rigidus or “turf toe”
  • Hallus valgus or bunions
  • Morton’s neuroma
  • Running foot or ankle injuries
  • Ankle sprains and fractures
  • Chronic Ankle Instability
  • Gait abnormalities
  • Balance issues and biomechanics
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Warts, calluses, and blisters

Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments in the ankle is injured. Some ankle sprains are worse than others. Ankle sprains are another common sports injury.

The severity of an ankle sprain depends upon the damage to the ligament. The ligament can be stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. Multiple ligaments can also be damaged. An ankle sprain is not the same as a strain. An ankle sprain affects your muscles; an ankle strain impacts your ligaments.

A ligament is a band of tissue, kind of like rubber bands. They connect your bones and bind the joints together. An ankle sprain occurs when there is an injury to the lateral ligamentous complex.

The lateral ligamentous complex is composed of two ligaments, the anterior talofibular ligament, and the calcaneofibular ligament. Both of these ligaments support the ankle.

If you suffer an ankle sprain, you want to get the ankle support you need for healing to get you back in action.

Ankle Fracture

An ankle fracture is a common sports injury. It is often caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone.

An ankle fracture can range in severity from an avulsion injury where small pieces of bone have been pulled off to a more severe shattering-type break of the tibia and fibula.

An ankle fracture requires special care and early diagnosis. The sooner an ankle fracture is taken care of, the sooner you can get back into action!

Achilles Tendon Rupture

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear that occurs when the tendon is stretched beyond its capacity. A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone.

The Achilles tendon runs down from the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord,” facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off the ground.

An Achilles tendon rupture can occur from falling, tripping, forceful jumping or pivoting, overstretching, or sudden running acceleration.

Chronic Ankle Instability

Chronic ankle instability is characterized by a recurring “giving way” of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle.

This “giving way” usually occurs when walking or engaging in other activities; however, sometimes, it can happen when simply standing around. This is a common condition that affects athletes and other individuals.

After repeated ankle sprains, chronic ankle instability often develops. Another underlying cause of ankle instability is flexible flat foot.

Symptoms of chronic ankle instability include:

  • Feelings of wobbliness and instability in the ankle
  • Chronic swelling and discomfort
  • A repeated turning of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports
  • Pain
  • Tenderness

Preventing Sports Injuries

At Advanced Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, we not only treat sports injuries, but we can also help prevent sports injuries as well through the use of 3D gait analysis.

Advanced Foot & Ankle Wellness Center has a Run3D gait analysis machine, which can be used to record your movements as you walk in order to determine your movement pattern.

This information can be used to correct issues with your gait and movement that could contribute to future injuries if left uncorrected. Run3D gait analysis can also be used as a treatment tool when recovering from a sports injury.

Dr. Melissa Will Help Get You Back On Your Feet

Dr. Melissa Wawrzynek is a board-certified foot and ankle specialist and offers a broad range of advanced orthopedic, sports medicine, and regenerative treatments.

Our doctor and her team will consult with you regularly to ensure you return to health and receive the highest quality care.

If you’re ready to return to full speed as quickly, easily, and safely as possible, schedule an appointment today.