The foot injury Minutemen senior guard Chaz Williams suffered during UMass’s win against St. Bonaventure didn’t stop him from dominating on the court during his team’s recent game against George Mason. In fact, the disabled Williams spent as much time playing as any other player, and scored 26 points and earned eight assists in 36 minutes.

To prepare for this match-up, he had to miss the last two practices, and may have to sit out for more. “Before the game you feel it,” Williams said, referring to his injury. “During the game you don’t feel it. After the game you really feel it.”

Depending on how much damage an athlete has sustained, they might want to hold off on playing sports with a foot injury. If you are an active individual who needs help dealing with a hurt foot or ankle, visit a podiatrist like Dr. Bryant Tarr of Sudbury & Westford Podiatry. Dr. Tarr can examine the health of the affected area and help determine if you need more treatment or are ready to play again.

Playing Sports with Foot Injuries

Many types of foot injuries affect athletes over the course of their athletic career. Despite their setbacks, many of these athletes will continue to play with mild foot injuries and attempt to ‘push’ through the pain. In order to be able to prevent injuries, it is important to stretch before any activity, wear proper footwear and replace shoes as needed. Some of the foot injuries athletes are at risk for include:

• Turf toe- upward bending of the big toe outside normal range of motion
• Stress Fractures
• Overpronation- excessive foot movement during gait
• Plantar Fasciitis- swollen ligament in the foot’s base
• Strains

There are many types of treatments that are necessary to keep the injury from becoming more serious. Ice is often used to reduce swelling and inflammation while applying a compression bandage can help reduce pain and stress on the foot. For more serious injuries it is recommended to consult with a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist as fractures and other serious conditions may require surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices in Sudbury and Westford, MA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Playing Sports with Foot and Ankle Injuries.