Sports Injuries Specialist

Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine -  - Podiatric Surgeon and Foot & Ankle Specialist

Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine

Podiatric Surgeons and Foot & Ankle Specialists & Podiatrists located in Parker, CO

Whether you’re a pro athlete, student-athlete, or weekend warrior, if you’re injured, you want treatments that are tailored to your needs so you can return to activity quickly. Podiatrists Kevin Blue, DPM, FACFAS, Ryan Muchowski, DPM, and their team are skilled in treating sports injuries in athletes of all levels and ages, including those affecting pediatric patients. At Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine, patients in and around Parker, Colorado, can receive podiatric care using state-of-the-art technology and techniques to help them recover quickly and fully, so they can regain their mobility, flexibility, and strength. Plus, they offer guidance to help athletes train and play safely and prevent future injuries.

Sports Injuries Q & A

What causes most sports injuries in the foot and ankle?

Most sports injuries can be classified as direct-impact injuries, which occur when an object (or another person) comes in contact with your foot or ankle, or indirect-impact injuries, like twists or “torquing” movements from pivoting or other movements. Many foot and ankle injuries occur as a result of repetitive stress from running or jumping that causes wear and tear on the:

  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Soft tissues

Over time, these repetitive strains can cause damage on their own, or they can weaken the tissues and structures of your foot so it’s more prone to injuries. Some injuries can be caused by footwear that doesn’t fit properly or provide enough support for your foot. Still others occur when an athlete skips doing warm-up stretches and exercises prior to participating in a sport or activity, or when they use an improper form or technique during play.

What kinds of sports injuries are most likely to occur in the feet and ankles?

Your feet and ankles contain dozens of bones, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues, and athletic activities can cause injuries to any of these. Still, there are some sports injuries that are more common, like:

  • Fractures
  • Sprains or torn ligaments
  • Strains and tendon injuries like tendonitis
  • Muscle injuries and deep bruising
  • Joint injuries

Kids sometimes experience injuries in their growth plates, the ends of the bones that are still growing and developing. When that happens, proper treatment is critical to prevent deformities that can cause mobility issues all the way through adulthood.

How are sports injuries treated and diagnosed?

The team at Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine has extensive training in diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries in athletes of all skill levels, in all types of sports, and at all ages, including student-athletes in:

  • Elementary school
  • Middle school
  • High school
  • College

Diagnosis begins with a review of your medical history and your symptoms, followed by a visual evaluation of your foot or ankle. Sometimes, the team at Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine will use gentle movements of your foot or ankle to assess the injury. In many cases, they'll order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or CT scans.

Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine believes strongly in providing highly customized treatment plans to help patients experience a full recovery so they can return to their activities as soon as possible. Treatment begins with conservative options like therapeutic exercises, custom orthotics, casting, and splinting, with surgery reserved for injuries that can’t be effectively treated with these approaches.