Athletic or sports related tendon injuries are common in the feet and ankles. Running, twisting the foot and ankle, and hard impacts are most often to blame. Common injuries range from twisted or sprained ankles, stress fractures or brakes in the bones of the foot, and Achilles injuries.

Ankle sprains and breaks are the result of injury that occurs when the ankle rolls, turns, or twists in an unnatural way. This motion is usually abrupt and can cause a popping feeling or sound as the ligaments, which are like bands that hold the bones together, stretch or rip as the ankle bones fracture.

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Stress fractures and shin splints are brakes in the bones of the feet, ankles, or shins. These are often small, hairline fractures that are caused by repeated impact. Runners often get stress fractures on the tops of their feet where shoe laces put pressure on the bones. Runners are not the only people to experience stress fractures as they can occur anywhere in the foot or ankle for a variety of reasons, sometimes related to soft bones as we age or improper footwear.

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An injury to the Achilles tendon is often classified as Achilles tendonitis and is caused by an overuse of a band of tight tissue that connects the muscle at the back of the leg to the bone of the heel. Achilles injuries are most often seen in long-distance runners or those increasing the duration and intensity of their runs due to training.

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Ankle dislocation is a result of high-impact trauma that affects the tendons in the ankle. Dislocation is often a result of car accidents or sports injuries from jumping actions. The force of the impact forces or stretches the ankle into an unnatural position.

Your feet are probably the most over-looked part of your body. As you exercise or participate in sports, pay close attention to what your feet and ankles are telling you.

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For people with diabetes, foot care is important. Proper diabetic foot care can help to prevent many serious issues often suffered by those living with diabetes.

Risks and complications include:

• High blood sugar – which can cause nerve damage in the feet, resulting in reduced feeling (neuropathy), which makes it hard to notice injuries or damage to the foot. High blood sugar can also cause dry, cracked skin, increasing risk for infection.
• Narrow blood vessels – causing reduced blood flow to the feet, contributing to the slow healing of sores, wounds, and injuries.

The following steps can be taken to help prevent common diabetic foot issues:

• Look closely at your feet and examine them each day
• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Moisturize your feet daily to help combat dry, cracked skin
• Trim toenails straight across to reduce instances of ingrown toe nails, which can lead to infection
• Protect your feet with proper shoes and socks to reduce likelihood of injuries

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For people with diabetes, foot care is important. Proper diabetic foot care can help to prevent many serious issues often suffered by those living with diabetes.

Risks and complications include:

• High blood sugar – which can cause nerve damage in the feet, resulting in reduced feeling (neuropathy), which makes it hard to notice injuries or damage to the foot. High blood sugar can also cause dry, cracked skin, increasing risk for infection.
• Narrow blood vessels – causing reduced blood flow to the feet, contributing to the slow healing of sores, wounds, and injuries.

The following steps can be taken to help prevent common diabetic foot issues:

• Look closely at your feet and examine them each day
• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Moisturize your feet daily to help combat dry, cracked skin
• Trim toenails straight across to reduce instances of ingrown toe nails, which can lead to infection
• Protect your feet with proper shoes and socks to reduce likelihood of injuries

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Ingrown toe nails are very common and are characterized by a section of the toenail, usually on the big toe, that has irregularly grown into the soft tissue surrounding the nail. Ingrown toe nails can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons ranging from poor nail care to medical conditions such as diabetes.

Symptoms that your ingrown toe nail should be seen by a doctor include:

• Pain or redness around the toe nail
• Swelling of the toe
• If you suspect an infection

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Toe nail fungus is a fungal infection of the toe nail or the nail bed. It can cause your toenail to turn a yellow or brown color, thicken and become ridged, or develop crumbling edges. Not only is toe nail fungus unattractive, it can also be painful and hard to cure.

If you have toe nail fungus, you will want to seek the help of doctor who can prescribe medications to clear the fungus and prohibit reoccurring infections.

If you or a loved one is experiencing complications from an ingrown toe nail or toe nail fungus, you should see a podiatric doctor soon.

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