Foot and ankle injuries in athletes are often caused by repetitive stress, sudden impact, and high-intensity movement. These injuries affect ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue, making them a frequent concern. Common conditions include ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and turf toe, all of which can limit performance and daily activity. Ankle sprains occur when ligaments are overstretched, leading to swelling, bruising, and instability. Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain that is often worse in the morning. Achilles tendonitis symptoms include stiffness and discomfort along the back of the ankle, especially during activity. Turf toe results from excessive upward bending of the big toe, causing pain and reduced mobility. Risk factors include poor footwear, inadequate warm up routines, and overuse from repetitive training. Athletes with flat feet, high arches, or muscle imbalances are more prone to injury. Hard playing surfaces and sudden changes in direction can also increase stress on the foot and ankle. Rehabilitation includes rest, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Proper footwear support is also recommended to restore function. Early care can reduce recovery time and prevent long-term complications. If foot and ankle injuries are affecting your sports performance, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist for appropriate relief and treatment solutions.

Trauma to the foot or ankle is one of the most common reasons that people visit a chiropodist. If you have a foot or ankle injury, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Your feet contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Your ankles are large joints made up of three bones and various ligaments. All of these components work together to allow your lower limbs to move you throughout your life. Injuries to the feet and ankles can affect any one of these structures and can occur at any time. Some of the most common foot and ankle injuries include:

• Morton’s neuroma - Swelling of a nerve that runs between two toes, causes pain in the ball of the foot
• Stress fractures - Tiny cracks in one or more bones that can cause severe pain
• Plantar fasciitis - An inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, causes stabbing heel pain
• Sesamoiditis - Causes pain in the sesamoid bones, located beneath the ball of the foot
• Achilles tendonitis - Inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, causes pain in the back of the calf
• Ankle sprain - Overstretching or tearing of one or more ligaments in the ankle, which causes ankle pain and can make it difficult to walk 

Injuries to the feet and ankles often occur during athletic activities, such as running or playing a sport, or while wearing ill-fitting shoes. Other potential causes of injury include impacts from accidents, a sudden twisting while walking, or underlying biomechanical problems or medical conditions that affect the feet. Treatment for most of these injuries typically involves resting the feet and modifying activities and footwear to take pressure off of the affected foot. 

All of these conditions, and many more, can be diagnosed and treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .