How to protect your feet from sports-related injuries
You’re a runner and you wouldn’t give it up for anything. You don’t have to, as long as you protect your most important sports equipment. Your feet! Your feet take a beating, not just from sports, but from everyday wear and tear. You don’t want to be sidelined by a foot injury. 
Your podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland, in Silver Spring, want you to know how to protect your feet, especially if you are a runner.
Foot injuries that are common in runners. They include bunions, blisters, heel spurs, sprains, fractures, and plantar fasciitis. Your podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland in Silver Spring, Olney, Kensington, and Clinton, Maryland, want you to know about these easy ways to keep your feet in top shape:
Stretching: 5 to 10 minutes of stretching your feet should be part of any training. Some great exercises for your feet include arch stretches, hamstring stretches, toe grip exercises and calf stretches.
Wear the proper footwear: your shoes should feel good when you put them on. Do not assume that they will be “broken in” at some point. When you buy shoes, remember to:
- Try shoes on at the end of the day or after working out.
- Wiggle your toes in the shoe; you should have plenty of toe room.
- Wear the socks you will wear with the shoes, to ensure a proper fit.
- Walk quickly in the shoes to see how the shoes feel and fit.
Wash and dry your feet: a thorough daily cleansing, drying and lotion application is necessary, especially after running or working out. Application of an antifungal cream is important if you have a tendency to get athletes foot.
Don’t go barefoot: to limit injuries to your feet and prevent plantar fasciitis.
Use supportive wedges or cushions in your shoes to prevent rubbing, irritation, bunions and calluses on your feet.
These are just some of the suggestions to keep your feet in good shape for running or sporting events. The best thing you can do is have your podiatrist be part of your sports team. Call your podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland, with offices in Silver Spring, Olney, Kensington, and Clinton, Maryland. They can help you take care of your most important track and field equipment, your feet, so call today!