Rolling an ankle while on the basketball court is the kind of thing that seems to come out of nowhere. The same movements that you have been executing all day long may suddenly result in an injury without warning. There are quite a few foot and ankle injuries that occur while playing basketball. Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk.
First, you should be aware of your environment. Slippery spots on the floor, outdoor court conditions, and contact with other players can all contribute to foot and ankle injuries. If you have a history of ankle sprains, you should do exercises that stabilize and strengthen all the smaller muscles around the ankle.
If you do get hurt on the court, stop playing and assess the damage rather than playing through the pain and making the injury worse. In case of a minor sprain or injury, walking it off may be okay, but it would be safer to call it a day and let the injured area recover.
A recovery program usually starts with double leg exercises, followed by single leg exercises, and finally training on uneven surfaces. Perturbation exercises to improve balance reactions will help you get back in the game quickly as your body reacclimates to balancing while trying to catch a ball.
Foot and ankle injuries while playing basketball are the kinds of injuries that tend to linger resulting in a higher risk of reoccurring down the road especially if you keep playing. Fortunately, an ankle sprain is one of the easier injuries to treat at home. Feel free to start training on your own as long as you don’t have severe or increasing pain.
If the injury becomes a chronic issue or the pain keeps getting worse, then it might be time to seek treatment from an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist.
Dr. Ho is a foot and ankle orthopedic specialist who places a strong emphasis on customizing his care for each patient to ensure successful outcomes. He provides all treatment options including preventative care, conservative management and operative intervention. Call (630) 323-6116 to book your appointment.
