Why are sports so hard on your feet?
Running, biking, hiking, and tennis all improve your fitness and keep you active, but they have another thing in common: each of these activities impacts your feet and ankles.
In each of your feet, you have 26 bones, 19 muscles, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and a lot of tendons. With every step you take, the weight of your body puts stress on the foot and ankle, and when it comes to running, jumping, and quick turns, this stress increases exponentially.
Even with experience and proper warm-ups, sports injuries can occur, causing pain and mobility issues in your feet and ankles.
What foot and ankle issues affect active people?
Whether you’re a collegiate athlete or play pickleball on the weekends, active people often injure their feet and ankles. Some of the most common ailments caused by activities and sports include:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Blisters, calluses, and bunions
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Ingrown toenails
- Overuse injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Turf toe
How are foot and ankle sports injuries treated?
Your podiatrist determines the course of sports medicine treatment that works best for you and your ailment. When deciding on treatment methods, they consider several factors, including the type of injury, its severity, how it impacts your daily functioning, and your activity level.
In many cases, your doctor may recommend:
- RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Nonsurgical shockwave
- Ultrasound
- May recommend Physical Therapy
- Regenerative Stem cell therapy
- Surgery
In some cases, you may need to strengthen your foot or ankle with physical therapy. Depending on your specific situation, your podiatrist may recommend and refer you to a local physical therapist.
How do you prevent sports injuries?
Your podiatrist can discuss ways you can protect yourself from sports injuries. Some of the issues they may address include:
- Wearing shoes designed for your activity
- Wearing supportive socks
- Proper shoe wear, custom orthotics
- Stretching and warming up before activities
- Cooling down after activities
- Resting your feet
- Using a RICE protocol after strenuous activity
They may also offer advice specific to your particular sport or activity.
If an injury is keeping you from participating in your favorite activity or sport, don’t just sit on the sidelines. Contact Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists today. Call the office to schedule your appointment or book an initial consultation online.
