Spring is here and so you want to relive those glory days of playing football or basketball. But hold on weekend warrior, you might want to think about a few things before you do. Many times injuries are caused from the lack of preparation before engaging in strenuous activities that involve a lot of running and sprinting. Many patients have complaints of ankle pain, ankle sprains, jammed toes, and/or black toenails from injuries. If you haven’t been active or exercising during the winter months, the sudden increase in activity and demand on the joints and muscles can cause pain, soreness, and inflammation.
An ankle sprain is the stretching and/or tearing of ligaments that can occur from twisting motions, sports, or walking and/or running on uneven surfaces. Individuals that have had previous ankle injuries it is important to have some additional support to prevent re-injury, by using ankle bracing or other athletic support, as those previously injured areas may be weak. It is also wise to get a thorough exam before participating in strenuous activities. Also, make sure you “warm up” before you begin your activity by stretching your muscles to prevent strains and sprains. Make sure you that you wear the proper shoes for your activity because wearing improper shoes can mean the difference between you scoring a goal or a sprained or broken ankle.
A black toenail is caused by repeated injury to the nail bed. This is usually caused by the toe being jammed against the sides, front or top of shoes when running or walking. The toenail may or may not be painful, but it is not a pretty sight. The black color is due to blood accumulating underneath the toenail. If the toenail becomes too painful, it will be necessary to seek professional treatment. The toenail may take 4-5 months to fully grow out and be replaced by a normal toenail. Make sure that your shoes fit properly to prevent this type of injury during rigorous activities. So throw out those old athletic shoes that have been sitting in your garage all winter. One point to remember, don’t “break in” a new pair of shoes during a strenuous activity. This can cause some areas of blisters or calluses from friction and additional pain from the “break in” period.
If you do have an ankle or foot injury or just need advice before engaging in an activity, get some guidance from your podiatrist. Remember, be an advocate for your foot health.
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