Putting Your Best Foot Forward This Summer

Posted June 07, 2023 by Jeffrey Junko, M.D.

As the weather gets warmer, more and more people will be outside participating in a range of summer activities, from sports to hikes and even gardening. While this is certainly good for your health, summer can also lead to a number of foot and ankle injuries.

Ankle Sprains

A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle rolls towards the outside of the foot, most often during physical activity, and it is one of the most common foot injuries. While a mild sprain is often nothing to worry about, a more severe injury may require a trip to the doctor.

For mild ankle sprains, you can treat it at home with rest, elevation, ice and an ace bandage for compression and support.

If you’ve suffered from ankle sprains in the past, make sure you warm up correctly to get your muscles ready for exercise, wear the right shoes for your foot type and consider wearing a brace or bandage during physical activity.

Stress Fractures

When the weather gets nice, many people decide to hit the streets for a run, or decide to start a new workout regime. But doing too much too soon can result in a stress fracture. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone caused by the repetitive application of force, often by overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. If you're starting a new exercise program, for example, start slow and then gradually build your intensity.

Turf Toe

Turf toe is mainly associated with football players, but anyone who is involved in physical activity can be affected. Turf toe is an injury to the base of the big toe, in which you actually tear the capsule that surrounds the joint at the base. A turf toe injury usually occurs when the toe is jammed into the ground and bent too far back (hyperextended). The best treatment is simple rest, which allows the joint to heal.

Don’t let any of these common foot injuries ruin your summer plans. The orthopedic specialists at Summa treat patients of all ages for foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Tendon tears / problems
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Injuries of the foot and/or ankle, including sprains and strains

My colleagues and I will discuss both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for your condition. Many conditions can be treated nonsurgically. However, if surgery is necessary, our experienced orthopedic surgeons provide high quality care and treatment. We offer same day or next day appointments with our nonsurgical specialists.

Visit summahealth.org/orthopedic for more information, or call 330.835.5533 to schedule an appointment with our orthopedic specialists.