Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeSports MedicineAthletic Foot Injuries

Athletic Foot Injuries

Background

Athletic foot injuries can be difficult to properly diagnose and treat. Bearing the weight of the entire body, the foot is under tremendous stress. In many sports, the foot absorbs tremendous shearing and loading forces, sometimes reaching over 20 times the person’s body weight. Physicians who treat these disorders must have a good understanding of the anatomy and kinesiology of the foot.

See the following images.

Select bones of the foot (dorsal and plantar views

Select bones of the foot (dorsal and plantar views).

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Select bones of the foot (superolateral view).

Select bones of the foot (superolateral view).

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Although foot injuries can occur from a variety of causes, the most common cause is trauma. Other etiologies include (1) rapid or improper warm-up, (2) overuse, (3) intense workouts, (4) improper footwear, and (5) playing on hard surfaces.

Physicians who evaluate and treat common foot problems should have a working knowledge of the individual sports and the injuries that are commonly associated with them. An understanding of the basic treatment approaches for these injuries also is imperative.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicineHealth’s First Aid and Injuries Center. Also, see eMedicineHealth’s patient education articles Broken Foot and Broken Toe.

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