Sports injuries: What athletes should know about foot and ankle pain

As a podiatrist, I treat athletes of all ages, from student-athletes to weekend runners and active older adults. One of the most common things I hear is, “I thought it would just get better.” Sometimes it does, but playing through foot or ankle pain can lead to bigger problems.

Here are the most common sports foot injuries I see:

Ankle sprains

An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments — the strong bands that hold your ankle bones together — stretch or tear. This usually happens when the ankle rolls inward. Sprains cause swelling, bruising, and pain when walking. Mild sprains can heal with rest, but severe sprains need medical care to prevent long-term instability.

Stress fractures

A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repeated impact. I often see these in runners, basketball players, and athletes who increase training too quickly. Pain usually builds over time and gets worse with activity. Unlike a sprain, stress fracture pain often feels very focused in one spot.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, which connects muscle to bone. In the foot and ankle, this commonly affects the Achilles tendon or tendons along the inside of the ankle. It causes soreness, stiffness, and swelling, especially after activity.

Turf toe

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint. It happens when the toe bends upward too far. This injury is common in football, soccer, and other field sports. It can make pushing off to run painful.

Why early diagnosis matters

In my experience, athletes who seek care early recover faster. When injuries are ignored:

• Sprains can lead to chronic ankle weakness
• Stress fractures can worsen into full fractures
• Tendonitis can become long-term pain

If pain lasts more than a few days, swelling is severe, or you can't put weight on your foot, it’s time for an evaluation.

How we treat athletes at Reid Health

At Reid Health Podiatry, we care for athletes across East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio. We treat everyone from kids in youth sports to older adults who want to stay active.

Treatment can include:

• Bracing or taping
• Custom orthotics
• Imaging to confirm a diagnosis
• Coordination with physical therapy
• Surgical care if needed

Three of our providers are board-certified in surgery, and we’re all certified in medicine. We offer both conservative and surgical treatment options.

My goal always is to help you heal safely and return to activity as quickly as possible.

If you’re dealing with foot or ankle pain, I encourage you not to “push through it.” Schedule an appointment so we can find the cause and put together a recovery plan.