Dr. Robyn Joseph
Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
Diplomate: American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery
Certified Wound Care Specialist Physician

Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries
Children & Athlete Care
Over 10% of American suffer heel pain everyday. While heel pain can be caused a number of different issues, Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause. Most causes of heel pain are treatable.
About Sports Injuries
What are common foot sports injuries?
Athletes hate being down. However, when extremely active, it is common to suffer small injuries, especially in the feet. Common foot sports injuries include:
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Bone injuries, such as foot fractures and contusions.
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Tendon injuries, especially to the Achilles tendon, are often the result of overuse.
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Muscle injuries are usually caused by overuse or direct trauma.
What is the difference between a Sports Physician and a Podiatrist?
Most athletic team have access to a sports physician. Sports physicians are excellent when injuries happen, as they can typically diagnose the issue quickly. However, they are not qualified to diagnose or treat every type of injury.
A podiatrist on the other hand is able to accurately identify specific issues, conditions and provide specialized treatment for each patient.
When should I call my doctor or podiatrist?
There are 2 types of athletic injuries: sudden or gradual. In the case of sudden injury, calling your doctor right away is the best choice.
When it comes to developing injuries, there are a few signs to watch for:
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Swelling
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Fever
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Numbness or tingling
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Difficulty walking
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Inability to put weight on the foot
If you are experiencing these symptoms, please call us or your physician immediately.
Can't I just play through my injury?
Emphatically, no. Your body is excellent at repairing from minor damages. In some cases, treatment can
simply be Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (the RICE method). However, if you continue to ignore a minor injury, it can result in long recoveries and lasting damage.
At Northern Ankle Foot Associates, we are focused on identifying early issues and avoiding surgery. Treatments such as short periods of immobilization, physical therapy, supportive inserts to gain proper function are all enlisted to return the athlete to their activities and sports.
If you have suffered a sports related injury to your foot, ankle, or lower leg, we recommend you visit a
skilled podiatrist.
If you wish to know more about Heel Pain, or want to schedule an appointment, click here.