Foot, Ankle, & Lower Leg Injuries Flashcards
(16 cards)
Ankle Sprains
Signs & Symptoms: 1st (Stretching) minor discomfort, no swelling 2nd (partial tear) pain, loss of function, abnormal movement in the joint 3rd (complete tear) extreme pain, little pain if nerve damage, rapid swelling
Treatment: PRICE use splint to prevent further injury, ice for 15min every 1 1/2h, use compression until the swelling goes down
Rehabilitation: ROM/stretching and then strengthening exercises
Arch Sprains
Causes: Overuse, overweight, fatigue, training on hard surfaces, and not having enough support
Treatment: PRICE
Rehabilitation: stretching
Blisters
Signs & Symptoms: areas that are red and full of liquid near the surface. Occur in places of friction
Treatment: Blisters that aren’t causing any harm should be left alone. Blisters should be covered in a bandage and changed daily.
Great Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
Mechanism of Injury: Foot sliding back and forcefully hyperextending the first metatarsalphlangeal joint (Big Toe)
Treatment: PRICE constant support to limit movement of big toe
Plantar Fasciitis
Signs & Symptoms: Pain and tenderness in the bottom of the foot near the heal
Causes: Overuse, unsupported footwear, tight Achilles tendon, or running on hard surfaces
Treatment: Correcting training errors and gear, icing, and massage
Heel Bruise
Treatment: Cold before and after activity, elevation, heel cup to reduce the force, or a pad to protect the heel
Heel Spur
Signs & Symptoms: Bony growth on the anterior part of the calcaneus
Treatment: Taping the arch or using inserts to reduce plantar fascia’s pull on the calcaneus Treatment
Fractures
Signs & Symptoms: More swelling and pain then those with a sprain, possible visual deformity
Treatment: PRICE and possible surgery
Contusions
Caused by direct blow to the leg often to the tibia
Signs and Symptoms: Tingling or numbness across the leg
Can cause swelling, causing compartment syndrome
Damage to the peroneal nerve can cause loss of function in the dorsiflexors and evertors, known as foot drop
Strains
Caused by forceful contraction, overstretching, and overuse
Symptoms can present themselves in the leg, ankle, or the foot
Most common strain is at the musculotendonous junction(where the Achilles inserts the calcaneus)
Muscle Cramps
Factors: Fatigue, Fractures, Dehydration, Lack of nutrients, Poor flexibility, Improperly fitted equipment
Treatment: Passive stretching, Fluid replacement, Massage, Rest, and Ice
Cramp is a contraction of a muscle that doesn’t immediately release
Achilles Tendonitis
Signs & Symptoms: Slow build up of pain, pain and crepitus(sound) when the Achilles is felt, and redness
Treatment: Stretching to prevent, fixing biomechanical problems, icing, anti-inflammatory, and PT Slow return to activity
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Caused by poor conditioning, overexertion, and a sudden eccentric force to a dorsiflexed foot(pointing upward)
Treatment: Have to be surgically repaired and rehab may take up to a year
Special Test: Thompson test
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome(Shin Splints)
Caused by doing too much to soon after taking a break from training, worn or ill fitting shoes, athletes who run on their toes, and athletes who overpronate when they run
Treatment: Icing, reducing activity, stretching of posterior leg muscles, PT, Orthotic devices, and strengthening and flexibility routine
Stress fracture
Signs & Symptoms: Hot flash of intense pain in an area when touched
Treatment: Resting and cutting back on exercise
Stress fractures feel better in the morning and shin splints feel worse in the morning
Compartment Syndrome
Caused by anything that can cause an inflammatory response of uncontrolled swelling(contusions, fractures, crush injuries, localized infection, excessive exercise, or overstretching)
Signs & Symptoms: Swelling and point tenderness, possible numbness weakness and inability to use affected muscle group. Athlete complains of pain or tightness that only occurs with physical injury
Treatment: Surgery
