Sports Medicine

Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute

Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Specialist located in Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ

As an athlete, a serious sports-related injury can impact your ability to perform and limit your career choices in the future. Fortunately, Marta Riniker, DPM and Jeffrey McAlister, DPM, FACFAS, at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute in Phoenix offers a wide range of options to treat your sports-related injury before it causes permanent damage. Call or book an appointment online today to learn more.

602-761-7819

Sports Medicine Q & A

What is sports medicine?

If you or your child suffer an injury while playing a sport, such as cross country, soccer, baseball, basketball, or football, it’s best to seek out a doctor, like Dr. McAlister, who specializes in sports medicine or treats sports-related injuries.

Not only does Dr. McAlister treat your injury and create a comprehensive treatment plan for your speedy recovery, but also he teaches you how to prevent common sports injuries in the future.

What are sports injuries?

The most common types of sports injuries include:

Ankle sprain
Shin splints
Knee injury
Tennis elbow
Turf toe
Achilles tendon injuries
Groin pull
Muscle strain
Hamstring injuries

Proper stretching and resting can help reduce your chances of developing these injuries, so it’s important to talk to Dr. McAlister about your fitness routine before you sign up for your next 10K or a community basketball team.

How can I prevent sports injuries?

Some sports injuries occur because we simply aren’t conditioned for a new activity.

If you’re a big swimmer, that doesn’t mean you should start running five miles a day without training. Different exercises work out different muscles; you may put stress on your tendons and ligaments if they haven’t been conditioned for that kind of impact.

Dr. McAlister can recommend dynamic stretches, warm-ups, and cooldown exercises to make sure that you don’t overexert yourself when trying a new exercise.

In addition to warm-ups and stretches, icing your muscles and taking anti-inflammatories can help reduce pain and swelling in your body after a tough workout, whether you’re an avid runner or a high school athlete.

What are my treatment options?

If your sports injury is severe enough to require treatment from a doctor, your recovery plan depends on the nature of your injury.

First, Dr. McAlister will determine what type of injury you have and how serious it is — a diagnosis that sometimes requires a stress X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or ultrasound.

If your injury occurs in your foot or ankle, he may recommend a combination of treatment options, including: