Foot injuries, from toes to ankles, are a very common reason for medical attention. Indeed, they predominate in the field of emergencies, as the vast majority of cases occur acutely.
The feet are one of the most important parts of the body. They act as a support and allow for basic actions such as walking or standing. Therefore, injuries to this area can be very disabling. In this article we explain which are the most frequent.
Why do foot injuries occur?
Foot injuries, as we mentioned, are quite common. The truth is that the vast majority are minor and usually do not involve seriousness or complications.
However, according to the study published in the Medical Journal of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, nearly 15% of them are fractures. Many of the cases occur as a result of sporting or recreational activities.
Indeed, each of the foot injuries predominates in one type of sport or movement. For example, a ballet dancer or ballerina is more likely to have a toe-related problem. A soccer player, for his part, tends to hurt his ankle.
Some jobs can also be the cause of these health problems. On the other hand, age or habits are an important factor in their development. Aging increases the risk of injury, as well as a inappropriate footwear.
Acute onset foot injuries
These injuries are those that result from a specific act. For example, a fall, a blow or a puncture wound. They are the most frequent and an acute inflammatory reaction predominates in them. The pain is usually intense and appears soon after the trigger.
Dent
The bruise is the word with which, in a common way, we refer to a hematoma. It usually appears after a bruise. In the feet, as it is the most declining area of ​​the body, it is normal for it to extend towards the toes due to the action of gravity.
Injuries to ligaments or tendons
Foot injuries related to ligaments or tendons are usually found in the ankles. they are the called ankle sprains. According to a article published in the Surgical Medical Journal of the Canary Islands, most are due to a fall, sudden twist, or blow.
What happens is that the ligaments stretch and some of the stability of the joint is lost. There are different degrees of severity that determine the type of treatment to be performed.
Fractures and dislocations
Fractures are injuries that affect the bones. The foot is a very complex structure that has numerous bones (tarsi, metatarsals and phalanges: 26 in total). It can be a small crack that hardly has any gravity or a break which is accompanied by displacement.
One of the most frequent fractures is that of the big toe, just like that of the little one. The dislocation, for its part, consists in the exit of the bone from its joint, acquiring an inappropriate position.
Muscle problems
Muscle problems in relation to the foot are varied. It can be a tear, strain, or even a tear in the muscle itself. However, the most frequent is that there are contractures produced by a prolonged contraction or a electro shock.
Long-standing foot injuries
There are foot injuries that are not tied to a specific moment, but that manifest themselves progressively. They are associated with a constant repetition of some activity, sport or even posture. That’s why they are known as overuse injuries.
Bursitis and tendonitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bags, responsible for cushioning the joints. In the case of the foot, it usually occurs at the base of the big toe or Achilles tendon. Tendonitis, for its part, consists of inflammation of the tendon, which is the one that joins the muscle to the bone.
stress fractures
A stress fracture it is a small crack in the bone that occurs from overuse of that part of the body. The most frequent is that of the second toe, since it tends to have a greater length and is subjected to greater load in some activities, such as run.
plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, as pointed out by a article from the Pontifical UniversityIt affects about 10% of the population throughout their lives. It consists in the inflammation of a large ligament extending into the sole of the foot.
Prevent foot injuries?
Yes, it is possible to prevent foot injuries which, as we have seen, are very frequent. The use of suitable footwear, as well as correct sporting practice, warm-up and compliance with the indications, are pillars to avoid fractures, strains and tears.
It is important to note that they each have a different cause and treatment. Here because, you should always consult a specialist before any inconvenience and try to take care of your feet in every activity and in everyday life.
The post Know the most common foot injuries first appeared on research-school.