There is nothing like playing a sport to have fun and keep you in great condition too! Sometimes, no matter how fit you are, you may
experience a sports injury, and your feet are especially vulnerable. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your feet from injury.
The podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland want to share the facts about some common sports injuries affecting your feet, and how they can help you get back on your feet fast. They have several convenient office locations in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Kensington and Silver Spring, MD to help you and your feet.
The best way to protect your feet from injury is to always wear the right footwear for the sport you are playing. Before any activity, always stretch your feet and ankles to promote circulation and increase flexibility. If you experience foot pain, take a rest and apply ice to the affected area.
These are just a few of the common sports injuries to your feet you might experience:
Plantar fasciitis, caused by inflammation of the band of tissue running across your heel; you can get relief from plantar fasciitis pain by icing your heel, taking over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen, and giving your feet a rest.
Shin splints, caused by inflammation of the large bone in the front of your leg called the tibia; you can get relief from shin splints by applying ice packs to your leg, and avoiding high-impact activities until your pain is resolved.
Fractures or dislocations, caused by a sudden trauma and inadequate foot and ankle protection; these type of injuries can result in an inability to walk or put weight on your ankles and feet. You may lose stability and be prone to sudden, abnormal ankle movement.
For these more serious injuries, you need to visit your podiatrist. Some common treatments your podiatrist may recommend include:
- Wearing a cast to provide support while your foot or ankle heals
- Taking prescription-strength pain and anti-inflammatory medication
- Exercises, stretches and physical therapy to increase mobility
- Surgical treatment to restore correct foot and ankle alignment
For more detailed information about how sports can affect your feet, please visit the Sports and Your Feet page on the website at https://www.marylandfeet.com/library/1936/SportsandYourFeet.html
You can protect your feet against the wear-and-tear from playing the sports you love. Don’t let foot pain keep you from being active. If you are suffering from a sports injury to your feet, just pick up the phone and call your podiatrists Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg and Dr. Adam Lowy at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland, with offices in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Kensington and Silver Spring, MD. Get relief by calling today!