subject: Beware Of Common Athletic Foot And Ankle Injuries This Fall Season [print this page] With football and hockey seasons in full force, it is important to take extra precautions to prevent potential injuries this fall season. Many sports are hard on your feet because of quick repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. In sports, your feet are the foundation of everything you do. Whether you are playing on a team or participate in solo sports, the health of your feet is vital to playing your best game and giving your best performance possible. In order to maximize your performance, you'll want to care for your feet, which involves taking care of all parts of your body, including your ankles, knee, leg and hips.
Stress Fractures and Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle means you've torn tissue- a muscle, tendon or ligament. A sprain usually occurs following a sudden twisting movement of the foot or an awkward step on uneven surface. Pain and swelling are the best indicators that you've sprained an ankle. The severity of sprains vary, and to ensure full recovery, its best to see a podiatrist for a thorough examination.
Stress fractures on the other hand are usually caused by overtraining and repeated stress on a hard surface over a period of time. Most stress fractures occur in the bones in the front of the foot that attach to the toes, the metatarsal bones. The best way to treat a stress fracture is rest. This usually means taking an extended time-out- usually six to eight weeks- from your routine sport to allow the bone to heal. Failing to provide an adequate amount of time for the fracture to repair itself could result in more persistent fractures and other serious foot problems in the future. It is often difficult to differentiate between a sprained ankle and a stress fracture, and an x-ray is typically necessary.
Plantar Fasciitis
Another common and painful foot condition is plantar fasciitis- an inflammation and irritation of the band of tissue that extends from the heel along the arch of the foot. Of all athletes, runners experience plantar fasciitis the most, causing pain in the heel and arch, making running long distances extremely difficult.
Rest, ice and inflammatory medications are often the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. You can also talk to your podiatrist about specific exercises, stretches and shoe inserts that can alleviate the heel pain and help heal the inflamed tissue.
Prevention is Key
Most sport-related injuries are caused by overuse, improper footwear or poor training. In order to help prevent these injuries from occurring:
*Stretch. Warm up properly before you exercise, run or begin playing a sport.
*Use caution. Pay attention when walking or running on an uneven surface.
*Support your feet. Wear shoes that offer adequate support for your foot and are designed for your specific sport and foot type.
*Build strength. Maintain good muscle strength and flexibility with proper stretching and exercising
*Don't rush. Start any new exercise program slowly, and progress gradually. Don't exercise too hard or too long.
*Play it safe. If you experience pain, remember to rest. Never ignore symptoms and signs of an injury.
Playing any kind of sport can be strenuous on your body, but your feet take the brunt of the stress. Your qualified Scottsdale podiatrist can save you precious playing time, improve your game, and give you more time doing what you love to do rather than sitting on the sidelines.
