Foot injury from a golf cart may be more serious than thought

Q. Two weeks ago, I was driving a golf cart and got my foot caught between the brake and the accelerator. I banged and twisted my foot hard. At first, my foot was just sore on the outside but it then started to hurt everywhere. It swelled a lot. I went to urgent care and X-rays showed no fracture. I was told it was just a sprain and was given crutches. In the two weeks since the injury, my foot has barely improved. Can I do anything to improve more quickly?

A: The degree of pain and swelling you are still experiencing is unusual for a mild sprain. Therefore, I am concerned that your injury may be more severe than first thought.

In the foot, there are some ligaments that are important for stability and function and it is possible that one of these may have been torn. It is also possible that a fracture may be present that did not show up on the initial X-ray.

I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon or foot specialist to help determine the extent of the injury and the timetable for healing. Most injuries can be treated with immobilization followed by rehab for a full recovery. Occasionally, the injury is more disruptive and surgery would be the best solution to heal right.

Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthealth.net