Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

Three Common Athletic Foot Problems

With more and more activity coming this Spring, athletes often develop foot problems. Three of the most common include Turf Toe, Stress fractures and Tarsal Tunnel syndrome

Turf Toe

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe from excessive upward bending of the big toe. Jamming the toe or repeated push-offs when running or jumping can also cause Turf Toe. Sports such as basketball, running, football, tennis, soccer, wrestling, dancing and gymnastics are often prone to this. Turf toe is common on artificial turf.

Treatment for Turf Toe includes:

  • Rest – Temporarily stopping the activity causing the pain.
  • Ice – putting ice on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes 3 times a day until the pain disappears.
  • Compression and elevation – wrapping the toe to stabilize and support it and keeping it elevated above your heart when at rest.
  • Surgery – in the most extreme cases surgery may be needed.

Stress fractures are caused by sudden force which causes a split in the bones. Fractures can also occur with repeated lower force trauma to the foot. Poor diet and menstrual irregularities can also contribute to fractures as do bulimia and anorexia since they all affect bone health.

Treatment for a Stress fracture includes:

  • Rest – Stopping your activity will allow your fracture to heal.
  • Ice – place ice on the effected area the recommended 20 to 30 minutes, 3 times a day until better.
  • Better fitting footwear – wear footwear that strongly supports your feet.
  • Increase activity slowly – when healed do not rush back to the same level of activity. Slowly build your workout according to how you feel.

The third condition athletes can suffer from is Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. Tarsal Tunnel is when the posterior tibial nerve in the space between your bones and tissue is pinched causing the base of your foot to go numb.

Treatment includes:

  • Pain meds – anti-inflammatory medicine.
  • Cortisone – shots of this pain reliever in the foot.
  • Better fitting footwear – Wearing more supportive footwear. See your podiatrist for recommendations.
  • Surgery –a podiatrist will cut the tarsal tunnel and relieve pressure on the tibial nerve.

What is good about these is that they can all be successfully treated with a visit to your podiatrist.

If you believe you may any of the above conditions or any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. 

 

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Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed