Bones of the Foot

•Phalanges (toe bones)

•Metatarsals (long foot bones)

•Tarsals (small bones near ankle)

Four Arches of the Foot

• Transverse

• Metatarsal

• Inner longitudinal

• Outer longitudinal

Bones of the Lower Leg

•Patella (kneecap)

•Tibia (shinbone)

•Fibula (smaller bone lateral to tibia)

Each foot contains 26 bones and 38 joints!!

Causes of Stress Fxs

•Exercise too severe or long in duration

• lack of exercise (results in weakening of the bone)

S/S of Stress Fxs• Increased pain when athlete

exercises

• POINT TENDERNESS

• may be mistaken for shin splints

• early x-rays may not detect!

TX of Stress Fxs

•RICE

•physician evaluation & x-rays

Cause of Turf Toe

•The ligaments supporting the big toe become sprained

•usually due to hyperextension

Turf Toe

•Usually a minor injury

•may be prevented with taping

Arch sprains

•Sprain of the supportive ligaments in the foot

Arch sprains

• once stretched, the ligaments fail to hold the bones of the foot in proper position

Causes of Arch Sprains

• Overuse

• overweight

• fatigue

• training on hard surfaces

• wearing improper shoes

Resulting problems:Arch sprains

•Shin splints

•achilles tendon strain

• foot fatigue

•strained muscles

TX: Arch Sprains

•RICE

•taping

The heel receives, absorbs, and transfers much of the impact from sports activities...

Heel Spur

•Bony growth on the heel that causes painful inflammation of the surrounding tissue

Causes of Heel Spur

• Irritation due to repeated stretching of the plantar fascia (ligamentous tissue in the foot)

Tx of Heel Spur

•Rest

•Proper footwear

Muscle Spasms

•Sudden, violent contraction of a muscle

Muscle Spasms: contributing factors (no specific cause)

• Overwork in early season

• fatigue

• fluid loss

• foot structure

• Poor equipment

• incomplete rehab

• poor diet/nutrition

TX: Muscle Spasms

•Stretch muscle

•controversial if massage is helpful or harmful

Blisters• The layers of skin rub together

and the friction causes separation.

• Fluid accumulates in the separation and puts pressure on the nerve endings.

• This causes PAIN!

TX: Blisters

• Best tx is PREVENTION!• Recognize hot spots which are

warning signs for blisters.• Use protective pads on suspect

areas!• Early use of Duct Tape!!!!!!!

TX: Blisters

• Don’t pop (risk of infection).

• Use donut pads around blister.

• Don’t put pressure on the blister.

Shin Splints

•Inflammation of the interosseous membrane

Causes of Shin Splints

• Lack of or sudden increase in level of conditioning

• improper/incomplete warmup/stretching

• muscle weakness or imbalance

Causes of Shin Splints

• running on hard surfaces

•poor running habits

• improper running shoes

•poor foot structure

TX: Shin Splints

• RICE

• Taping is usually not helpful

• PREVENTION!!!!!!! Strengthen and Stretch

ACS

Hemorrhage/swelling inside compartment

increases pressure on the nerves, the veins, and the arteries…this can cause

death of the muscle cells!

Causes of ACS

•Direct trauma

•excessive exercise

S/S ACS

• Pain even after slowing down/stopping

• Pain even after cold treatment

• numbness of foot

TX ACS

• DON’T use the RICE method!!!!!!

• Compression and elevation will exacerbate the problem!

• DO use COLD and REST!!!

TX ACS

•Treat this as a medical emergency!

TX ACS

•Misdiagnosis may lead to a worsening of the condition, permanent nerve damage, and disability!

Other Foot Problems

• Athlete’s Foot (caused by fungus)

• Ingrown toenails

• Corns & Calluses

• Plantar warts (caused by virus)