avoid summer's seasonal injuries

(SPM Wire) It’s June, and Michael Jordans, Alex Rodriguezes, and Maria Sharapovas are on courts, fields, and driveways all over the Rochester area, with sunny days beckoning them to get out and play.

But as the weather ushers in such sports as basketball, baseball, tennis, and soccer, it brings with it ankle sprain season for both professional athletes and weekend warriors alike.

Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Among NCAA basketball players, for instance, ankle sprains rank as the number one injury suffered by both men and women.

Anyone who injures an ankle requires prompt medical treatment, whether it's the first sprain or the fifth. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) can reduce swelling and pain until the ankle can be evaluated and treated by a foot and ankle surgeon. Also, remember, a sprain may not always be a sprain; the ankle could be fractured.

Many athletes develop chronic ankle instability from repeated ankle sprains, causing their ankle to frequently "give way." In some cases these players may require surgery. Proper rehabilitation of an ankle sprain reduces the likelihood of developing chronic ankle instability.

Players of all skill levels can reduce the risk for ankle sprains by following three tips from footphysicians.com, the consumer website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons:

* Perform warm-up stretches and exercises before playing sports.

* Wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, don't wear running shoes for sports that involve a lot of side-to-side movement, such as tennis and basketball.

* Wear an ankle brace if you're recovering from an injury or have repeatedly sprained your ankle.

Visit www.footphysicians.com for more information on ankle sprains, fractures, peroneal tendon injuries, and chronic ankle instability. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of more than 6,000 foot and ankle surgeons.