Foot Injuries Sideline Professionals

By Author: lifoot care
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By Dr. Evan A. Vieira, DPM, AACFAS

This past weekend we saw Peyton Manning break Brett Favre's career passing record against the Chiefs. The record-breaker came early in the game and became the only highlight worth noting. Manning had one of the worst games of his career completing 5 of 20 passes for 35 yards and 4 interceptions.

Foot and ankle injuries amongst football players is a common occurrence and during post game interviews Manning reported that he had been suffering from plantar fasciitis for the past few weeks. Plantar fasciitis is a common complaint of athletes of all ages including children and weekend warriors.

Manning has been undergoing treatment; however team physicians now believe a partial tear of his plantar fascia occurred during last week's game against the Colts. A plantar fascia tear can result after a fall from a height, car accident, quick pivot on a planted foot and in some cases spontaneously. Physicians and patients alike should be suspicious of a tear should their plantar fascia or heel pain dramatically increase or change during treatment. Diagnosis can be confirmed with ...
... an MRI and treatment includes immobilization, ice, physical therapy and even injections. In his post game press conference, Peyton indicated that after treatment he felt well enough to start, but the pain worsened throughout the game.

There is no time frame for his return at this point, however, Manning's situation is complicated by the fact that he plays a high-intensity, high-impact sport for a living. Only time will tell, but my prediction is Manning will not be ready for his next start.

Julian Edelman, a Patriot's receiver also suffered a foot injury during yesterday's game. He has what is known as a Jones Fracture. This is a fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal, and usually in cases of high-performance athletes requires immediate surgical intervention. Edelman will have surgery today. This usually consists of the placement of a stabilizing screw across the fracture site followed by 6 weeks in an immobilization boot.

Earlier this season Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys underwent the same procedure for the same type of injury and was out for 6 weeks. This is hopeful for Edelman as well.

Injuries can occur at any time and do not always reflect conditioning, shoe gear and playing conditions as evidenced by the high number of professionals sidelined each weekend. If you are in pain or think you may have injured yourself, don't wait! Get to a foot and ankle specialist and seek treatment as soon as possible. Nobody should have to be sidelined in their own lives and suffer from foot pain.