Sports Medicine

When you suffer a foot or ankle injury, sports medicine specialist Kibibi Wanzu, DPM, and the empathetic team offer immediate care that helps you heal and bounce back. At Modern Podiatry in Hampton and Atlanta, Georgia, the team, also including Brittany C. Sumpter, DPM, and Ronderick Williamson, DPM, provides a wide range of sports medicine solutions such as light orthotics, injectables like corticosteroids, and splinting or bracing. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a branch of medicine focusing on the care of athletes and people who live active lifestyles. At Modern Podiatry, the team specializes in podiatric sports medicine, which includes pain and injuries affecting the ankles and feet. 

What types of injuries do sports medicine podiatrists treat?

Modern Podiatry treats traumatic and repetitive injuries. Some of the most common sports injuries are: 

• Ligament sprains and ruptures
• Muscle strains
• Tendon strains and ruptures 
• Fractures (stress, nondisplaced, and displaced fractures)
• Tendonitis 
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bone spurs (usually alongside plantar fasciitis) 
• Bruises
• Growth plate inflammation (Sever’s disease)
• Turf toe
• Sesamoiditis
• Blisters
• Corns 
• Calluses 

Sports can also lead to foot problems that aren’t exactly injuries but are disruptive nonetheless. Examples include foot and nail fungus (very commonly transmitted in locker rooms) and ingrown toenails (often from repetitive kicking). 

The team also treats all other foot and ankle problems, including deformities like bunions and hammertoe, both of which can disrupt movement and cause problems in active people. 

When might I need a sports medicine podiatrist?

Consider reaching out to Modern Podiatry if you have any of the following issues:

• Foot or ankle pain
• Difficulty moving your foot or ankle
• Difficulty standing, walking, or running
• Foot or ankle swelling
• Foot or ankle weakness or instability

Often, athletes don’t seek help unless they experience a sudden injury or severe pain. But, you don’t have to wait until it’s urgent. With many repetitive sports injuries, the pain usually comes and goes. However, if you carry on with all your usual activities, an injury can worsen until you have constant pain.

What does sports medicine podiatry involve?

The Modern Podiatry team knows you want to treat your injury quickly and return to your favorite sport. They offer both traditional and modern techniques to help you do so, including: 

• Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Injury immobilization like bracing or splinting
• Rehabilitative exercises 
• Corticosteroid injections
• Restorative cell therapy injections
• Light custom orthotics

Severe bone fractures and other major injuries could require foot and ankle surgery. The Modern Podiatry team provides you with choices and helps you decide which treatment approach is the best one to get you back to your daily activities with ease. 

If you’re an active person who’s finding it more challenging to stay on your feet, it’s time to contact Modern Podiatry for expert sports medicine advice. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.