Why Athletes Should Avoid General Urgent Care for Foot & Ankle Injuries—And What to Do Instead

foot xray
March 6, 2025
Corona

As an athlete, your feet and ankles are the foundation of your performance, bearing immense stress during training and competition. Injuries to these critical areas aren’t just painful—they can sideline your career, limit mobility, and keep you from performing at your peak. Worse, if not treated properly, minor injuries can turn into chronic conditions, jeopardizing your long-term athletic goals.

The Athlete’s Dilemma: Rest or Push Through?

Dealing with a foot or ankle injury often puts athletes in a tough position:

  • Rest and Recovery: Taking time off can help you heal, but for athletes competing at a high level, prolonged rest can mean losing progress, missing out on key competitions, and potentially affecting scholarships or contracts.
  • Playing Through Pain: Trying to “push through” an injury can lead to permanent damage, increasing the risk of chronic pain, instability, or even career-ending conditions.

Why General Urgent Care Centers Can Make It Worse

Many athletes turn to urgent care centers for quick relief, but general urgent care facilities often lack the specialized expertise and equipment needed to diagnose and treat complex foot and ankle injuries. Some common issues include:

  • Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis – Many facilities lack X-ray imaging on-site, leading to an incomplete assessment of fractures, ligament damage, or tendon injuries.
  • Improper Bracing or Casting – Without sports medicine expertise, inadequate bracing or improper immobilization may delay healing or worsen the injury.
  • Short-Term Pain Relief Instead of Long-Term Recovery – Many urgent cares focus on temporary relief (such as pain medication) without addressing the root cause of the injury, leading to prolonged issues.

Why Athletes Trust Corona Foot & Ankle Group

At Corona Foot & Ankle Group, we’re not just another urgent care—we’re the leading provider of specialized foot and ankle care for athletes. We offer comprehensive treatment plans designed specifically for professional, collegiate, and competitive athletes, ensuring you heal properly and return to peak performance safely.

What Sets Us Apart?

On-Site X-Ray Machines – Get immediate imaging to accurately diagnose fractures, stress injuries, and ligament damage. No need for external referrals or delays in treatment.

Braces, Custom Orthotics & Immobilization – We provide specialized bracing, taping, and custom orthotics tailored to your sport and biomechanics, helping you recover faster and prevent reinjury.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy – Athletes seeking cutting-edge, regenerative treatments benefit from PRP injections, which promote natural healing and reduce inflammation in soft tissue injuries.

Holistic Healthcare Approach – Unlike general urgent care centers that focus only on immediate symptoms, we treat the entire athlete. This means considering biomechanics, strength imbalances, nutrition, and injury prevention strategies to keep you performing at your best.

Get Back in the Game—The Right Way

Your recovery should never be a guessing game. At Corona Foot & Ankle Group, we create individualized recovery plans that prioritize your long-term performance. We work closely with you, your coaches, and sports therapists to ensure a safe, efficient return to training and competition.

Don’t settle for generic urgent care. Choose a specialists who understand the demands of professional and competitive sports. If you’re dealing with a foot or ankle injury, contact Corona Foot & Ankle Group today and take the first step toward a full recovery.

Do you treat patients near Temecula or Murrieta?

Yes we do, we cover the entire Inland Empire, California. Call us to verify your insurance coverage and we will get you scheduled in.

Become A Patient

Have any questions about treatment? Feel free to make an appointment, Our team will reach you soon!

Contact Us