Having to see an ankle and foot specialist isn’t how many people imagine spending their fun summer months, yet these types of injuries can become more common after winter. If you’ve suffered an injury to your foot or ankle, it’s helpful to understand the exact injury.

That way, you’ll have a better idea of how severe your injury is, what treatment options you have, and how long it’ll be before you can get back to fully enjoying your summer. That’s why I’ve created this guide of common summer injuries ankle and foot specialists see this time of year.

Why are ankle and foot specialists busy in the summer months?

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that people tend to injure their ankles and feet more in the summer months. It starts with the colder winter months when people tend to be less active. This allows muscles and joints to stiffen and lose their flexibility. Then, when the warmer months roll in, people return to their outdoor activities like running, biking, hiking, and playing sports.

That added activity combined with the winter stiffness makes your feet and ankle more susceptible to injury. If it does happen to you, chances are you’ll experience one of these common problems ankle and foot specialists deal with in the summer months.

Common summertime ankle and foot injuries.

Sprained ankle.

Your ankle ligaments are tough, fibrous, and flexible tissue that connect two bones or hold a joint together, and the lateral ones on the outside of your ankle are the most likely to become sprained. It happens when you roll, twist, or awkwardly turn the ankle. This can cause your ankle to become sensitive to pressure, making it difficult to walk or put any weight on it depending on the severity of the sprain.

Swelling in the foot.

The summer heat causes the small blood vessels in your feet to expand. This helps cool the body down naturally, but it can also cause your feet to swell. A swollen foot doesn’t fit your shoes properly, and that often leads to hotspots and blisters. If left untreated, these issues can develop into bigger problems, such as serious infections.

Pain in the heel.

Planta fasciitis is the inflammation of the tissue band running from your heel to your toes. It occurs when you ramp up activity levels suddenly, such as when you return to an active lifestyle in the summer months. You’ll experience pain in the heel, and it’s typically the worst when you first get out of bed in the morning. Without treatment, though, it can start affecting your gait throughout the day.

Achilles tendinitis.

Similar to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of your Achilles tendon. Usually, it’s caused by an injury or disease, and it’ll lead to swelling, pain, and irritation. Over time, it can lead to more serious problems like the development of small nodules in the tendon and a worsening of the swelling, which makes it difficult to stay mobile.

Stress fracture.

The innner soft part of the bones in your feet or ankles can develop small fissures or cracks, and it’s a common injury for people who do a lot of running in the summer months. If you have a stress fracture, you’ll notice pain and swelling in the lower part of your leg, and that’s a sign you need to visit an ankle and foot specialist before it gets any worse.

Do you need an ankle and foot specialist?

Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA helps bodies in motion stay in motion with premier foot and ankle care in the Tri-State area and beyond. You deserve the best for your foot and ankle care, and as a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Parekh is the person to provide it. You can see all the conditions we treat online, or get in touch to see how we can help today.