Foot and Ankle Injuries That Could Affect the Superbowl

February 1, 2018 • • sports injuries
common injuries pro football

Super Bowl LII is set! The championship fate of the Eagles and Patriots will be determined in a few short days – which team will you be rooting for? With the Philadelphia Eagles being the favored underdog against repeat champion, the New England Patriots, both teams will be putting their best on the line (of scrimmage). The talent is set, but the most unpredictable part of the game will be whether or not there will be any major injuries that take out some of the best players. Since football is a full contact sport, injuries are not at all uncommon, leaving some players on the bench for a majority of the season. So cross your fingers and hope that your favorite players won’t suffer any of the following common foot and ankles injuries while you watch the most exciting football game day of the year!

  • Turf Toe – One of the most common toe injuries in football, this occurs when excessive force causes an already bent big toe to bend even further, resulting in the spraining of the ligaments of the big toe joint. This injury can happen from extra force when exploding into a run or when another player lands on the foot while the big toe is already in a bent position.
  • Ankle Sprain – This usually involves tearing in the ligaments in the ankle. The severity of the injury is based on how much tearing there is – a completely torn ligament being the most severe. It can happen when athletes misstep and twist their ankles, or during a quick juking movement.
  • Achilles Tendon Tear – A quick change of direction or explosive movement from a crouched position can cause a sudden tear in the Achilles tendon, especially if football players are not properly warmed up. For a complete tear, surgery is  required.
  • Foot and Ankle Fractures: During tackles and other collisions on the field, football players can experience metatarsal fractures in the midfoot, as well as broken ankles from blunt trauma. These injuries will usually be severe enough that an athlete will not be able to return to the field for the rest of the game.
  • Overuse injuries: These include foot and ankle problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, sesamoiditis, and stress fractures that come about from the repetitive movements that football players have to perform. Those with overuse injuries are more likely to have ruptures or tears if their tendons, ligaments, and muscles are not allowed time to heal.
If you’ve experienced some foot or ankle pain while playing sports, it’s best to check it out so that it’s not at risk of re-injury. Make an appointment with us at Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group. One of our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Douglas H. Richie, Dr. Jeremy L. Cook, and Dr. Faye E. Izadi will be happy to help at either of our Seal Beach and Los Alamitos offices in Orange County, CA.

Request an Appointment

Fill out the form below to reach Alamitos – Seal Beach Podiatry Group, or call Los Alamitos: (562) 203-6151 or Seal Beach: (562) 242-1559 for immediate assistance.











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