Aftercare

You can decrease swelling by:

• Resting and not putting weight on your foot
• Elevating your foot on a pillow at or above the level of your heart

Apply ice every hour while you are awake, 20 minutes at a time and covered by a towel or bag, for the first 24 hours after the injury. After the first 24 hours, apply ice 20 minutes 3 - 4 times per day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. You should wait at least 30 minutes in between ice applications.

Important Information

Feet and ankles take a beating in basketball! Injuries can occur from running, jumping, cutting, quick starts and stops, and direct contact with other players. Basketball players should be aware of the following:

Baseball Injuries

Your feet and ankles take a beating when you’re playing baseball. Baseball players should be aware of the following risks.

• Ankle sprains may occur while running, fielding balls, stepping on or sliding into bases. Sprains should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon to determine the extent of injury, including possible peroneal tendon injuries or fractures. The foot and ankle surgeon will develop a treatment plan: failure to fully treat and rehabilitate a sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability and recurrent sprains.

Different Symptoms?

The symptoms of a sprain and of a fracture are very similar. In fact, fractures can sometimes be mistaken for sprains. That's why it's important to have an ankle injury evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. The signs include:

• Pain, often sudden and severe
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Inability to walk or bear weight on the injured joint