Pain After a Twist
Sudden pain following an awkward landing, pivot or rolled ankle.
FOOT & ANKLE CARE IN LAKELAND, FL
Sports Injury & Ankle Sprain Care in Lakeland, FL
Whether you twisted an ankle during a game, developed foot pain while running, or are recovering from an athletic injury, understanding the damage is important. Dr. William S. Wong provides podiatric evaluations for foot and ankle injuries and individualized treatment recommendations.
Serving Patients in Lakeland, Florida
MEET YOUR PODIATRIST
Dr. William S. Wong, DPM
A graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Wong provides foot and ankle care for patients in Lakeland, Florida.
25+ Years in Business
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INJURY
Foot & Ankle Injuries in Sports
Sports injuries can involve the ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones and joints that support movement and balance.
A sudden twist or awkward landing can stretch or tear ankle ligaments. Running and jumping can also produce repeated stress that contributes to tendon problems or bone injuries.
A sprain is a ligament injury, while a strain affects a muscle or tendon. Fractures involve broken bone. These conditions can cause overlapping symptoms and should not be diagnosed by appearance alone.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of injury, overall health and activity goals. Returning too quickly to sport may increase the chance of another injury.
Request an injury evaluation →
Common Foot & Ankle Injury Symptoms
Symptoms may begin suddenly or develop during repeated athletic activity.
Swelling
New swelling near the ankle, foot or injured joint.
Bruising
Skin discoloration after tissue damage that may develop over several hours.
Weight-Bearing Pain
Difficulty standing, walking or pushing off the injured foot.
Instability
A feeling that the ankle may give way during walking or changing direction.
Recurrent Activity Pain
Pain that returns with training and may suggest repeated tissue stress.
Could a Sprain Actually Be a Fracture?
Yes. Severe sprains and fractures can have similar swelling, bruising and pain. Inability to bear weight, bony tenderness or significant deformity warrants prompt evaluation and possibly imaging.
TYPES OF SPORTS INJURIES
Common Sports-Related Foot & Ankle Problems
Injury patterns vary by sport, terrain, footwear and the forces involved.
Ankle Sprains
Ligaments may be stretched or torn when the ankle rolls beyond its normal range of motion.
Foot and Ankle Fractures
Bone fractures may result from a sudden injury, while stress fractures can develop through repeated loading.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Repetitive loading can contribute to tendon pain; sudden force may cause a more serious tendon injury.
Plantar Fascia and Heel Problems
Running and jumping may aggravate tissue along the sole or heel.
Overuse and Forefoot Injuries
Repeated impact, increased training loads and pressure beneath the forefoot may cause pain requiring evaluation.
YOUR PODIATRIC EVALUATION
How Are Sports Injuries Evaluated?
A structured examination helps identify the likely source of pain and determine whether imaging, protection or referral is needed.
01
Injury and Activity History
Review of how the injury occurred, symptoms, previous sprains and recent changes in activity.
02
Physical Examination
Assessment of tenderness, swelling, alignment, joint movement, strength and stability as appropriate.
03
Imaging and Next Steps
X-rays or additional imaging may be recommended to assess possible fractures or significant soft-tissue injuries, followed by a care plan.
Sports Injury Treatment & Recovery
Appropriate care depends on the diagnosis and severity, not simply on whether the injury happened during sports.
Activity Modification
Temporarily reducing aggravating activity may protect injured tissues during healing.
Protection and Support
Braces, supportive footwear or immobilization may be appropriate for certain injuries.
Pain and Swelling Management
Clinician-guided measures may help manage discomfort while the injury is being assessed and treated.
Rehabilitation
Appropriate mobility, strengthening and balance exercises can play an important role after many sprains.
Fracture Assessment
Suspected fractures may require imaging, protection and possible orthopedic or surgical referral.
Return-to-Sport Planning
Progression should reflect pain, strength, range of motion, stability and the nature of the original injury.
Should You Keep Playing Through the Pain?
Continuing activity after significant injury may worsen tissue damage. Stop and seek prompt assessment for severe pain, marked swelling, suspected fracture or instability.
Returning to Activity After an Injury
Recovery is not always a fixed number of days. Functional improvement matters.
Helpful Recovery Habits
- Follow activity and weight-bearing restrictions.
- Use recommended support devices correctly.
- Complete prescribed rehabilitation exercises.
- Increase training gradually when cleared.
Before Returning to Sports
- Confirm that walking is comfortable.
- Check that movement and strength have improved.
- Address continuing instability or swelling.
- Follow your clinician's return-to-play guidance.
When Immediate Care Is Needed
Obvious deformity, an open wound with suspected fracture, a cold or numb foot, or severe inability to bear weight needs urgent assessment. A sudden pop with weakness behind the ankle can indicate a serious Achilles injury.
Sports Injury & Ankle Sprain FAQs
Answers about injury assessment and recovery.
How can I tell an ankle sprain from a fracture?
Sprains and fractures may both cause pain, bruising and swelling. A clinical examination and sometimes X-rays are needed to tell them apart.
When should I seek care for a rolled ankle?
Seek evaluation for significant pain, difficulty bearing weight, substantial swelling or instability, or symptoms that do not improve as expected.
Can I walk on a sprained ankle?
Weight-bearing recommendations depend on injury severity and whether a fracture has been excluded. Do not force walking through severe pain.
How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?
Recovery varies with ligament injury severity, rehabilitation and individual factors. More serious sprains can take substantially longer than mild ones.
Can repeated ankle sprains cause instability?
Yes. Recurrent sprains can contribute to ongoing instability. Appropriate rehabilitation and evaluation of continued symptoms are important.
When can I return to running or sports?
Return depends on the injury and recovery of comfortable movement, strength, balance and stability. Follow individualized medical guidance.
ADDITIONAL FOOT & ANKLE CARE
Related Foot & Ankle Services
Explore other services at Lakeland Foot & Ankle.