SPORTS MEDICINE
Podiatric Sports Medicine in Billings, MT
Get back in the game. Dr. Zachary Lubek — a former Division I athlete — brings personal experience and surgical expertise to sports-related foot and ankle injuries.
Sports Medicine for the Foot & Ankle
Your feet and ankles absorb enormous forces during athletic activity — up to 3 times your body weight with each running stride, and even more during jumping and cutting. When these structures are injured, you need a specialist who understands both the anatomy and the demands of your sport.
Dr. Zachary Lubek competed as a Division I athlete and knows firsthand what it means to rely on your body for performance. That experience drives his approach to sports medicine: get an accurate diagnosis quickly, create a targeted treatment plan, and return you to your sport safely and efficiently — without unnecessary downtime or premature return that risks re-injury.
Common Sports Injuries We Treat
Stress Fractures
Hairline cracks in the metatarsals, heel, or navicular bone caused by repetitive impact. Common in runners, dancers, and military personnel who increase training load too quickly.
Ankle Sprains
Ligament injuries from rolling or twisting the ankle. Range from mild stretching to complete tears requiring surgical reconstruction. Improper rehab leads to chronic instability.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Tendinitis from overuse, tendinosis from chronic degeneration, and acute ruptures during explosive movements. Common in running, basketball, tennis, and volleyball.
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel and arch pain from overloading the plantar fascia. One of the most common running injuries. Responds well to treatment when caught early, but becomes chronic when ignored.
Turf Toe
A sprain of the big toe joint caused by hyperextension. Common in football, soccer, and basketball. Ranges from minor to severe and can sideline athletes for weeks.
Tendon Injuries
Posterior tibial tendonitis, peroneal tendon tears, and other tendon conditions from overuse, acute trauma, or biomechanical stress. Require accurate diagnosis for proper treatment.
Sports injury slowing you down?
Schedule a sports medicine evaluation →Our Sports Medicine Approach
Accurate, Fast Diagnosis
Athletes cannot afford to wait weeks for answers. We provide same-day X-rays at all three locations and coordinate advanced imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound) promptly when needed. Many sports injuries look similar on the surface but require very different treatment — getting the diagnosis right from the start saves weeks of recovery time.
Conservative Treatment
- Immobilization and bracing — Protecting the injury while allowing controlled mobility when safe
- Sport-specific orthotics — Custom devices designed for your shoes and your sport, addressing the biomechanical factors that caused the injury
- Injection therapy — Corticosteroid and PRP injections for targeted anti-inflammatory and healing effects
- Shockwave therapy — Extracorporeal shockwave for chronic tendon conditions and fasciitis
- Rehabilitation protocols — Progressive strengthening and return-to-sport programs with specific benchmarks
Surgical Capabilities
When surgery is needed, you do not have to travel to a larger city. Our board-certified surgeons perform:
- Ankle arthroscopy for cartilage damage, impingement, and loose bodies
- Lateral ankle stabilization for chronic instability
- Achilles tendon repair and reconstruction
- Stress fracture fixation for high-risk fracture locations
- Tendon repair and transfer procedures
- Bunion and hammertoe correction for athletes
All procedures are performed at Yellowstone Surgery Center as outpatient surgery.
Return-to-Sport Protocols
Getting back to your sport is not just about healing the injury — it is about restoring the strength, flexibility, proprioception, and confidence needed to perform at your level without re-injury. We build evidence-based return-to-sport timelines with clear criteria for each progression stage, so you know exactly when it is safe to return to full activity.
Why Choose Rimrock Podiatry for Sports Medicine?
Former D1 Athlete
Dr. Lubek competed at the Division I level and understands the physical and mental toll of sports injuries. He knows you want to get back to your sport, and he builds treatment plans accordingly.
Full Surgical Team
With four board-certified podiatric surgeons, we have the depth to handle any foot or ankle sports injury — from routine to complex — without referring you elsewhere.
All Ages, All Levels
We treat high school athletes, college competitors, recreational runners, weekend hikers, and active adults. You do not need to be a professional athlete to receive expert sports medicine care.
Three Locations
Billings, Laurel, and Red Lodge — convenient access for athletes across south-central Montana. On-site X-ray at every location for immediate evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Medicine
When should an athlete see a podiatrist instead of a general doctor?
You should see a podiatrist for any foot or ankle injury that involves persistent pain lasting more than a few days, swelling that does not resolve with rest and ice, inability to bear weight, pain that worsens with activity, visible deformity, or a recurring injury. Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists with surgical training, making them the most qualified physicians for diagnosing and treating these specific injuries.
How are stress fractures diagnosed and treated?
Stress fractures are diagnosed through physical examination, X-rays, and when needed, MRI or bone scan (stress fractures often do not appear on X-ray for the first 2 to 3 weeks). Treatment depends on the location and severity: most metatarsal stress fractures heal in 6 to 8 weeks with a walking boot and activity modification. High-risk stress fractures, such as those in the fifth metatarsal or navicular, may require extended non-weight-bearing or surgical fixation.
Can I keep training with a foot injury?
It depends on the injury. Some conditions allow modified training — for example, switching to pool running or cycling during a stress fracture. Others, like Achilles ruptures or severe sprains, require complete rest. Our goal is to keep you as active as safely possible during recovery. Dr. Lubek understands the athlete's need to stay active and builds recovery plans that maintain fitness while protecting the healing injury.
Do you treat weekend warriors, not just competitive athletes?
Absolutely. The majority of our sports medicine patients are recreational athletes — runners, hikers, pickleball players, basketball and volleyball players, CrossFit enthusiasts, and active adults who want to stay moving. You do not need to be a competitive athlete to benefit from sports medicine expertise. If your feet or ankles are limiting your activity, we can help.
How do custom orthotics help prevent sports injuries?
Custom orthotics correct biomechanical abnormalities that predispose athletes to injury. They control excessive pronation, provide arch support, cushion high-impact areas, and distribute forces more evenly across the foot. For runners, orthotics can reduce the incidence of stress fractures, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinitis. We design sport-specific orthotics that fit into running shoes, cleats, ski boots, and other athletic footwear.
Related Conditions
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Schedule Your Appointment
Our board-certified podiatric surgeons will evaluate your condition, explain your options, and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.