Virginia Tech is Going Green

After VT's wide receiver, D.J. Coles, PCL ligament heeled the team had their hopes up. Soon after however, linebacker, Tariq Edwards, suffered a stress fracture in his shin which hasn't been healing well after the mishap earlier this year. The hopes for an injury-free season starter diminished even more after left guard, David Wang, sprained his left ankle.

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Wang received surgery and was placed in a green jersey (no contact) for a recent closed mini-scrimmage. Last season Wang was named most improved offensive player only to break his foot in the second game of the season!

Although Wang seems to be doing better, a number of other players were in green jerseys which several are suffering from a hamstring injury.

Good luck, Hokies! We hope your injuries heal correctly and quickly!!

VT's Bruce Taylor Still Injured

Last November, Bruce Taylor, a Hokie Football Player, suffered a Lisfranc Sprain which is common for football players.

"After 12 weeks in a walking boot, a limited spring practice schedule that kept him out of contact drills and a second planned surgery in April that removed one of two screws inserted into his foot, Taylor was fully cleared to start running again just before players dispersed for the summer." - Roanoke Times

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Taylor says at first he didn't want to believe he had an injury and fortunately after surgery has been told his foot is fine and "he can do anything."

To read more about Lisfranc injuries (which ranges from sprains to fractures) head on over to our website!

Sports Injuries & Children

English: Child Soccer player. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.

Every fall season, foot and ankle surgeons see an increase in ankle injuries among young athletes. Football, soccer and basketball are the sports most likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems, says Roanoke and New River Valley area podiatrist Jennifer Feeny, DPM.

"What seems like a sprain is not always a sprain; in addition to cartilage injuries, your son or daughter might have injured other bones in the foot without knowing it. Have a qualified doctor examine the injury," says Dr. Feeny. "The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner we can prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis, and the sooner your child can get back into competition." Dr. Feeny, who is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), offers these additional tips for parents:

--Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child's previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.

--Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn't mix baseball cleats with football shoes.

--Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can't lie flat.

--Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That's why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player's foot and throw them to the ground. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

--Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.

For more information on treating ankle sprains, visit ShenandoahPodiatry.com