What Is A Sports Injury?

What Is A Sports Injury?

Posted 13 Jan '22


A sports injury is a broad term, that’s fairly self explanatory - it’s an injury that occurs while playing a sport or conducting aerobic exercise. 


The assumption is commonly made that a sports injury should be treated by a doctor, or a physical therapist. However, podiatrists are doctors of the feet, ankles, knees and legs, and because they specialise in this area they have advanced knowledge and expertise with treating this area of the body.


So, podiatrists are well qualified to diagnose and treat any problem of the lower limb area - including sports injuries. 


Lower limb injuries are usually classified as acute or chronic. An acute injury is usually one that happens suddenly, like a fall or awkward twist. On the other hand, a chronic injury is usually one that worsens over time, and can often arise as the result of repeated stress or overuse of a muscle or joint.


Below are five conditions that occur as a result of sports injuries that we commonly treat at The Feet People. 


Common sports injuries that a podiatrist can help with

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that develops as a result of a repetitive strain injury to the plantar fascia, a ligament-like structure - which runs along the bottom of your foot.


Our podiatrists are very experienced with identifying and diagnosing plantar fasciitis, as well as treating it. We offer a range of treatment options, including strapping, rehab exercises, orthotics, footwear advice, and shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy can help treat plantar fasciitis by sending acoustic waves to the injured tissue, which encourages the body's natural response to heal and repair the area. Orthotics support the plantar fascia to deal with the mechanical load from your body weight and activity. Think of them as an insurance policy to resolve the plantar fasciitis and also prevent further injury in the future.


To determine what the best treatment option is for you, our podiatrists will conduct a physical exam.


Shin splints

Shin splints are a common condition that refer to inflammation of the muscles, tendons and bone tissue around the shin area. They are caused by repetitive stress on the shin area and tend to occur in people who do strenuous and high impact activities, like running and gymnastics.


There are other conditions that have the same symptoms as shin splints, but require different treatment. So, if you have shin pain, it’s very important to ensure that you attend a podiatrist to get a diagnosis and treatment plan that is ideal for your needs. This may include shockwave therapy, footwear advice, orthotic therapy, dry needling, foot mobilisation therapy, and rehabilitation exercises.


Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy occurs as a result of an injury to the band of tissue that runs down the back of the heel. Small, or big, tears can occur during sports and physical activity. 


It’s a painful condition that won’t get better without treatment. Our podiatrist can determine a treatment plan - which may include footwear advice, orthotic therapy, rehab exercises and shockwave therapy - to strengthen and repair the tissue.



Toenail injuries

Many medical issues can arise that involve the toenail area, and many of these conditions can cause discomfort and pain.


Perhaps the most common toenail injury is an ingrown toenail. There are a number of different causes of ingrown toenails, but they frequently happen through a sporting injury. When a person wears an ill-fitting shoe, their toe can be repetitively pressed and squeezed - this impact can push the toenail into the skin.


Some other toenail injuries that can occur as a result of sport include runners toenail and fungal toenail infections.


Hamstring strain and sprains

Hamstring strains are one of the most common sporting injuries - and frequently happen to athletes who play sports involving a lot of running or jumping. Acute hamstring injuries normally occur when an athlete trips or twists a muscle in a certain way. Chronic hamstring injuries occur over time as a result of repetitive stress. 


The management and treatment of hamstring strains and sprains can be complex. Treatment often involves a combination of rehabilitation exercises, addressing any mechanical concerns with the lower limb, dry needling, shockwave, footwear advice, orthotic therapy, and sometimes, surgery. Our podiatrists can treat both acute and chronic hamstring strains and sprains. 



When to see a podiatrist

If you feel any discomfort or pain in your feet or lower limbs, a podiatrist will be able to help. Our podiatrists are extensively trained - and have all the relevant qualifications. 


They will be able to conduct a physical exam or run further tests to determine your problem. From there our podiatrists can work with you to put together a treatment plan that will help alleviate your condition.


Book your appointment with our podiatry team online here or call us on (07) 3356 3579.


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