Despite all of the training and conditioning that professional athletes do on a regular basis, sports injuries still happen. In fact, injuries are often the result of athletes pushing themselves harder in order to perform at a higher level. Foot and ankle injuries are some of the most common, often leaving players sidelined for weeks and even months at a time. Here are three professional NFL athletes currently suffering from an injury to the foot or ankle:
1. Peyton Manning – plantar fasciitis
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had been suffering with plantar fasciitis for weeks before partially tearing his plantar fascia recently during a game. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, also known as the the plantar fascia. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain. A partial tear to the plantar fascia can be very painful. Fortunately, surgery is not usually necessary, as the injury tends to heal on its own, typically within several weeks to several months.
2. Steve Smith – torn Achilles tendon
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith underwent surgery recently to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Smith will be out for the rest of the season as a result of the injury, with total recovery taking about six months. The Achilles tendon is part of the calf’s largest and strongest muscle complex, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. When too much force is placed on the tendon, it can rupture partially or tear completely, resulting in swelling, stiffness and severe pain.
3. Ben Roethlisberger – midfoot sprain
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gave fans a scare recently when he was carted off the field after a sack due to pain in his foot. Roethlisberger was unable to put pressure on the foot, and it was initially suspected that the quarterback had suffered a LisFranc injury, an injury in which one or more of the bones in the midfoot are broken or ligaments that support the midfoot are torn. The good news for Steelers fans is that Roethlisberger merely suffered a mid-foot sprain, and he is expected to be back on the field after a few weeks.
Suffering from a foot injury of your own? Give us a call at 210-479-3233.
