Common Foot and Ankle Injuries in Tennis: Causes, Effective Treatments, and Surgical Solutions
As a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at Sports Medicine North, which has locations throughout Boston’s North Shore, Dr. Mostafa Abousayed often sees foot and ankle injuries in tennis players due to the dynamic and high-impact nature of the sport.
Learn more about these common injuries, their causes, and effective treatments that can help ensure prompt recovery and effective prevention.
Achilles Tendon rupture
Why it's common:
The Achilles tendon is crucial for running, jumping, and quick directional changes—all fundamental actions in tennis. Overuse or sudden movement with contraction of the tendon while the ankle is extended can lead to tendon rupture.
Treatment:
- Non-surgical: Functional rehabilitation with immobilization in a boot and physical therapy can lead to satisfactory outcomes.
- Surgical: This option usually involves suturing the tendon ends together. There are several techniques possible using a small incision for minimally invasive repair.
Plantar Fasciitis
Why it’s common:
Constantly moving on hard surfaces can strain the bottom of the foot,
especially if your calf muscles are tight, which can cause inflammation.
Treatment:
- Non-surgical: Rest, ice packs, pain relievers, orthotic shoe inserts, and stretching exercises. Physical therapy may also be advised. Sometimes, we do steroid injections if symptoms are persistent. PRP can be recommended if other measures fail.
- Surgical: If more conservative treatments fail, procedures like plantar fascia release surgery can be performed, in which part of the fascia is cut to relieve tension.
Fractures (Including Stress Fractures)
Why it’s common:
Acute fractures can result from falls or direct impacts, while stress fractures occur due to repetitive stress on the bones.
Dr. Mostafa Abousayed discusses common tennis foot and ankle injuries.
Treatment:
- Non-surgical: Rest and immobilization with a cast or boot. Gradual return to play once healing is confirmed by imaging tests.
- Surgical: Surgical intervention might be needed for complex fractures to realign bones, using pins, screws, or plates.
Sprains
Why it’s common:
Ankle sprains are common due to rapid, multi-directional foot movements. Lateral sprains are particularly frequent and they occur after turning the ankle inwards (inversion injuries).
Treatment:
- Non-surgical: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy to improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the ankle is the main line of treatment.
- Surgical: Severe or recurrent sprains may require surgery to repair or tighten the damaged ligaments.
Tendinitis
Why it’s common:
Repetitive motion can lead to inflammation of the tendons around the ankle and foot, such as the peroneal tendons and Achilles tendon. Having high arches can make people more likely to get peroneal tendon injuries, like tendinitis and tears. Tight calf muscles can predispose patients to Achilles tendinitis.
Treatment:
- Non-surgical: Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen the affected tendons. Shock wave therapy, Tenex and PRP are other alternatives if symptoms are resistant.
- Surgical: In cases of chronic tendinitis that doesn't respond to other treatments, surgery may be considered to remove inflamed tissue or repair any tears within the tendon.
It is crucial for tennis players to address injuries promptly with appropriate treatment to prevent worsening of symptoms which can lead to chronic problems, and ensure a safe return to the sport. Rehabilitation plays a vital role in recovery, and in cases where injuries are severe or persistent, surgical options may provide the best outcomes. Proper preventive measures, including appropriate footwear, technique adjustments, and conditioning exercises, are essential to minimize the risk of these injuries.
About Dr. Mostafa Abousayed
Dr. Mostafa Abousayed is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in all aspects of non-surgical and surgical care of foot and ankle injuries and conditions. He treats all conditions of the foot and ankle including but not limited to ankle and foot arthritis, Achilles
ruptures, tendonitis, fractures, bunions, hammertoe, ankle sprains, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, flatfoot, Morton’s Neuroma, and other foot or toe deformities.
About Sports Medicine North
Sports Medicine North has been providing unmatched orthopedic care to patients on the North Shore of Boston, Massachusetts, as well as the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Sub-specialty-trained in all areas of the body, our world-class team of orthopedic surgeons and
specialists is dedicated to providing customized treatment plans focused on your individual needs and goals.
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