Football players can receive injuries to the foot and ankle due to running, side-to-side cutting or from direct trauma, such as from another player during a tackle. They should be aware of the following risks:
- Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.
- Ankle fractures, metatarsal fractures, Lisfranc fractures and turf toe can sideline athletes and sometimes require surgery.
- Contusions and bone bruises may also result from high impact during tackling.
- Overuse and excessive training can lead to heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, posterior tibial tendonitis (or PTTD) and calcaneal apophysitis in children and adolescents.
