Many athletic foot injuries occur due to poor management of potential issues before they have a chance to occur. Athletes are some of the most common victims of foot problems because they perform strenuous activity while on their feet for long stretches of time. Sports podiatry provides athletes with the help that they need to keep their feet in tip-top shape.
What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on assisting athletes with their foot and ankle issues. It includes therapy, surgical procedures, medications, prevention tactics and the design of special orthotics for the feet.
Common Athletic Foot Injuries
Athletes commonly suffer from very specific types of injuries due to the way they move their bodies and their feet. They perform the same activities repeatedly in a short period of time. For instance, basketball and tennis players must stop quickly and twist their bodies away from their feet. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is one common athletic foot injury — it is a tear around the heel of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis is another common foot-related ailment, where pressure on the nerves causes pain on the bottom of the foot and the heel. Athletes may also experience stress fractures in the foot, where the bone cracks due to repeated activities.
Modern Solutions for Age Old Problems
Modern surgeries and therapies have been designed to help athletes with their foot problems. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a shock therapy treatment for people who have Plantar Fasciitis and heel problems. Sports podiatrists often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammation medications (also called NSAIDS) to manage certain foot inflammations. Fusion surgeries correct problems related to the bones in the foot.
Traditional Solutions
A common traditional solution that sports podiatrists use to resolve athletic foot injuries is to design custom orthotics for sports players. An orthotic is a treatment device that corrects a foot injury or protects from future problems, the most common being custom arch supports. Custom-made arch supports go inside of the athlete’s shoes and help him to avoid issues with Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and similar issues. Podiatrists also use stretching exercises and other forms of physical therapy to correct foot-related injuries. Many athletes must get their feet wrapped before physical activity to protect them from future injuries and in an extreme case the doctor may recommend a foot brace.
Run; Don’t Walk to a Sports Specialist
If you are an athlete, a foot injury or pain is not something that you should overlook. Your doctor can refer you to a qualified sports podiatrist in your area. Also, ask your team trainer for a recommendation and help with therapy before and after sports activity. By visiting your Dupage County podiatrist, you can take the next steps toward fit feet while participating in various sports.