Sports Injuries
Austin's trails, tracks, and courts put real demands on feet and ankles. Whether you run the Brushy Creek trail, cycle through the Hill Country, or stand through a four-hour set at Stubbs, your feet absorb the impact.
Symptoms
- Sharp or aching pain in the foot or ankle during or after activity
- Swelling that appears during exercise and doesn't fully resolve with rest
- Tenderness at a specific point on the foot or ankle
- Bruising after a misstep or ankle roll
- Pain that changes your gait or stride
- Weakness or instability in the ankle
Who Gets It
Sports injuries affect runners, cyclists, hikers, basketball and tennis players, and anyone who pushes their body past its current conditioning. They're also common in people who return to activity after time off — the weekend warrior who goes too hard too soon. Improper footwear and biomechanical issues (overpronation, high arches, leg length differences) increase injury risk significantly.
Austin's trail running community runs Barton Creek Greenbelt, Brushy Creek Regional Trail, and the Violet Crown Trail year-round. The Hill Country cycling scene is serious. Local races, marathons, and triathlons draw competitors across the region. Dr. Wokasien treats active patients who want to get back to what they love — not sit on the sideline indefinitely.
Treatment
Dr. Wokasien treats active patients who want to get back to what they love. Treatment focuses on:
- Accurate diagnosis — the wrong diagnosis means the wrong recovery plan
- Activity modification, not elimination — keeping you moving while you heal
- Custom orthotics for biomechanical issues that caused the injury
- Targeted rehabilitation exercises
- Return-to-activity planning with realistic timelines
Don't run through pain hoping it resolves. Stress fractures get worse. Sprains that don't heal properly create chronic instability.
When to Call
Call (512) 250-0444 — Saturday mornings are available for athletes who train during the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my foot injury is serious enough to see a doctor?
If pain is significant enough to change how you walk or run, it warrants evaluation. Swelling that doesn't improve with ice and rest after 24-48 hours, sharp pain at a specific point, or any injury where you felt or heard a pop — those need to be seen. Running through an undiagnosed stress fracture can turn a hairline crack into a complete break.
What's the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
A sprain is damage to ligaments — the tissue connecting bones. A fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can cause significant swelling and pain, which is why imaging often matters. Treatment is different: sprains generally heal with rest and rehabilitation, while some fractures need immobilization or surgery.
Can I keep training with a sports injury?
Often yes, with modifications. The goal is controlled loading that maintains fitness while allowing healing — not complete shutdown. Dr. Wokasien builds return-to-activity plans with realistic timelines. Some injuries require full rest. Others allow cross-training while the primary structure heals.
What causes stress fractures?
Repetitive impact over time, especially when training load increases faster than bone can adapt. Runners who significantly increase mileage, change surfaces, or switch to minimal footwear are common candidates. Stress fractures in the metatarsals are especially common. They require a period of rest — running through them leads to complete fractures.
Do I need custom orthotics after a sports injury?
Depends on whether a biomechanical issue contributed to the injury. If overpronation, supination, or a structural difference caused excess stress at the injury site, orthotics reduce the chance of the same injury recurring. Dr. Wokasien evaluates this as part of the diagnosis.
How long does ankle sprain recovery take?
A mild sprain with proper treatment heals in 1-3 weeks. Moderate sprains with ligament damage take 4-6 weeks. Severe sprains involving partial or complete tears can take months — and sprains that aren't rehabbed properly often result in chronic instability that comes back with every activity season.
What's the fastest way to get back to running after an injury?
Accurate diagnosis first — then a recovery plan built around that specific injury. Trying to push back too fast is what extends most recoveries. Dr. Wokasien gives runners realistic timelines and progressions, not just 'rest until it feels better.'