PRIMARY CARE OF THE INJURED ATHLETE, PART I zyxw 0278-5919/97 zyx $0.00 + .20 PRIMARY CARE OF FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES IN THE ATHLETE Thomas 0. Clanton, MD, and David zyx A. Porter, MD, PhD There has been a growth in the number of athletically related injuries to the foot and ankle and a coincident increase in public interest for specialists to provide the necessary treatment.14Most of these injuries are sprains and strains that can be treated by the primary physician; however, more serious and potentially debilitating injuries can present as common sprains and strains. This article gives the treating physician a general overview of the more common foot and ankle problems seen in the athlete. zyxwv LATERAL ANKLE SPRAINS Lateral ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports, espe- cially basketball, soccer, cross-country running, and dance and ballet.8, z 27, zyxwvutsrqp 28, 32, 40, 42, 45 Studies in Norway and Finland reported that acute ankle sprains accounted for 16% and 21% of all athletic injuries, respecti~ely.~~, 6o In basketball, ankle sprains account for 45% of all injuries, and in soccer 17% to 31% of all injuries are ankle sprains.24, 27, 6o Proper diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury depends on a working knowledge of anatomy. Therefore, it is imperative that the primary From Rice University (TOC); and the Foot and Ankle Fellowship Foundation for Orthope- dic, Athletic and Reconstructive Research, Houston, Texas (TOC); and the Methodist Sports Medicine Center, Indianapolis, Indiana (DAP) CLINICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE VOLUME 16 * NUMBER 3 - JULY 1997 435