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The worst statement an athlete can hear is that they must take a seat on the sidelines due to a foot or ankle injury. As baseball season comes to an end and football season begins, it is important to take proper care of your feet to ensure a long lasting season and to avoid the bench. Whether you are a professional football player, a high school quarter back or simply enjoy a pickup game with friends, your feet and ankles take a beating while you are playing any sport. What is Sports Podiatry? A sports podiatrist treats foot, ankle and leg injuries by altering lower limb function. Additionally, a sports podiatrist will also analyze the way the foot strikes the ground and the chain of motion from the foot, knee, hip and back. By doing this, your sports podiatrist will determine whether there are any mechanical imbalances that may be contributing to your injury. Maintaining correct alignment with the position of your feet during stance are exaggerated during walking and is further increased during sport activity. Specializing in the diagnosis and management of foot and lower leg disorders with a focus on injuries commonly associated with foot and lower limb function. Your podiatrist will develop a treatment plan in order to properly heal your ankle. Failure to fully treat and rehabilitate a sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability and recurrent sprains. Overuse or excessive training can also put some athletes on the bench with Achilles tendinitis or heel pain. Regular stretching of the calf muscles gently and gradually before and after the game will help minimize the pain and stiffness. Injuries to the Foot and Ankle When it comes to sports, it is important to protect your feet from injury. Activities such as football, baseball, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse often lead to ankle injuries as a result of play on artificial surfaces, improper footwear, and/or inadequate stretching. Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports and may often occur while running, shooting baskets, fielding balls, etc. Sprains should be evaluated by your sports podiatrist to determine the extent of the injury, including possible fractures. As the football season quickly begins, it is important to take extra precautions to protect your feet and ankles from injuries that can end your game. Football players often experience injuries to the foot and ankle due to running, side to side cutting, or from direct trauma from another player during a tackle. While playing football it is important to be aware of the following risks: * Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.
* Ankle fractures, metatarsal fractures, and Lisfranc fractures can sideline athletes and sometimes require surgery.
* Contusions and bone bruises may also result from high impact during tackling.
* Overuse and excessive training can lead to heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, posterior tibial tendonitis, and calcaneal apophysitis in children and adolescents. Contact your podiatrist in Sycamore, IL if you exhibit any injuries from football or any other sport and physical activity this fall season. Your podiatrist can properly treat and offer prevention techniques so that you don't sit on the bench for the season.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading DeKalb, Hinsdale, Buffalo Grove, Libertyville and Sycamore podiatrists, Dr. Neil Levin and Dr. Steven Sharlin. Offering services in orthotics, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel pain and an array of other services, these podiatrists in DeKalb, IL, are committed to providing patients with the best in quality foot and ankle health care.
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