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Basketball, football, running, tennis volleyball- repeated high stress from these high-impact sports can result in foot injuries that require professional attention to get you back in the game. Sports injuries of the feet should be discussed with a professional podiatrist. A podiatrist can treat injuries of the foot and ankle using a variety of methods, including insoles, footwear and exercises. Among the most common sports-related injuries are stress fractures, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis and athlete's foot. 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. Athlete's Foot It's very common for athletes to develop fungus on their feet. Athlete's foot is the most common of these infections, and is most often contracted in warm, moist public areas, such as locker rooms, showers and pools. This foot fungus usually appears as cracked and peeling skin on the bottom of the foot or between the toes. It typically itches, and when severe, blisters can form. Prevent athlete's foot by always wearing shoes in public areas, and keep feet dry before putting on socks. Most of the time over-the-counter anti-fungal foot powder is enough to eliminate the infection. But in severe cases, a prescription strength medication from your podiatrist will be necessary for getting rid of this commonly recurring condition. Foot injuries do happen- especially to individuals that actively participate in sports and physical activities. While you can't always prevent these problems from occurring, you can prepare yourself for such injuries and talk to your podiatrist about special exercises, footwear or insoles that keep your feet and ankles strong while keeping you in the game.
Dr. Ed Davis is a leading podiatrist in San Antonio, TX. Providing over 25 years of experience and offering an array of foot and ankle care, including heel pain and bunion treatment, Dr. Davis is qualified to handle any podiatric need.
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