Is a foot or ankle injury keeping you off the tennis court?
Whether you’re are a professional or beginner, your lower extremities are always at an increased risk of injury while playing tennis. Although some of these injures can be minor and treated with simple at-home methods, more often than not a professional should be consulted in order to avoid further damage.
As for preventative treatment, a good pair of shoes — or even custom-made orthotics — will go a long walk in keeping you out of the doctor’s office, as the movement in tennis is often erratic and in all directions: forward, back, and side to side with sudden stops and starts.
Unfortunately, even if all the proper precautions are taken, injuries will always be a part of tennis. Not all injuries were created equal, however, and it’s important to know which of these setbacks can be aided by the help of a podiatrist. In many cases, a good podiatrist is not only your best ally in helping you get healthy return to the tennis, but also helps make sure that you can stay on it longer.
With that in mind, here are several common tennis injuries that a podiatrist can help you with:
Common Tennis Injuries
Ankle sprains: There are three ligaments on the outside of the ankle and one big one on the inside that can be injured with sudden turning of the foot along with internal or external rotation of the leg. These sprains are graded on a tiered severity scale from 1-3, with one being mild and three being severe. To self-treat mild cases, stay off the ankle, apply ice to reduce swelling, wrap the ankle in a compression bandage, and elevate the ankle. If the injury doesn’t improve in 3-5 days, consult a podiatrist.
Plantar fasciitis: The most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel, plantar fasciitis the result of inflammation of the plantar fascia — the band of connective tissue running from your heel bone to the front of your foot. The plantar fascia is designed to absorb the high stresses and strains we place on our feet. When too much pressure is placed on the area, especially during rigorous activity such as tennis, it can damage or tear the tissue. At Delray Beach Podiatry, Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, uses robotic laser technology to defeat plantar fasciitis and cure heel pain at the cellular level.
“Plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful and persistent,” said Dr. Goldbaum, who has offices in both Delray and Boynton Beach. “Erchonia’s FX 635 laser is ideal for chronic heel pain sufferers, especially tennis players, because it offers effective, pain-free treatment — without side effects. In just three weeks with two treatments per week, patients can have significant and lasting relief from plantar fasciitis.”
Shin Splints: Often refereed to as “shin splints,” this painful condition is actually not a specific injury, but rather a collective term that refers to several different injuries of the lower leg. A common exercise-related ailment, injuries that fall under this umbrella term are typically the result of inflammation due to an injury of the soft tissues in the front of the outer leg (tibia). Shin splints have been known to occur most commonly in runners, but in reality any rigorous activity — including, you guessed it, tennis — in which repetitive stress is placed on the shinbone can bring about this condition.
In most cases, shin splints can be treated with rest, ice and other self-care measures. This will give the tibia time it needs to recover from high levels of stress, thus reducing inflammation and pain levels. It is important to make a gradual return to activity after the pain has subsided in order to avoid re-aggravating the injury — a process that may take multiple weeks depending on the severity of the injury. If shin splints become persistent or your condition worsens, consult a podiatrist as advanced treatments, such as robotic laser therapy, may be necessary.
Blisters: These fluid-filled sacs resemble fleshy bubbles on the surface of the skin. They most commonly appear on the feet as the result of friction from shoes that don’t fit properly. If the fluid sack is ruptured, blisters can become infected and begin to form pus, thus making the already lingering issue even more difficult to deal with. Luckily, most blisters don’t require medical treatment and can be handled in the comfort of your own home.
If the fluid that comes out of the blister is white, yellowish, or greenish, then that is a sign that your blister could be infected. If you experience these symptoms, see a podiatrist immediately to get the infection under control. If you suffer from constant blisters, a podiatrist may also recommend orthotic shoe inserts to relieve the friction being placed on the affected area.
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The content on this website is for informational purposes only. Do not rely or act upon information from www.DelrayBeachPodiatry.com without seeking professional medical advice. If you live in South Florida and would like a consultation with Dr. Ian Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, please see our contact information below:
BOCA/DELRAY
16244 S. Military Trail #290, Delray Beach, FL 33484
561-499-0033
BOYNTON BEACH
8198 Jog Road #100, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
561-499-0033
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