What is podiatric sports medicine?
Podiatric sports medicine is a specialized form of podiatry that focuses on foot and ankle injury recovery in addition to the prevention of future sports-related injuries. If you lead an active lifestyle, you have an increased chance of sustaining a foot or ankle injury.
Some common injuries include:
- Achilles tendonitis: inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often from running or jumping
- Plantar fasciitis: pain and inflammation from tiny tears in the ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot
- Ankle sprain: strained ligaments from rolling or turning your ankle
- Shin splints: irritation and inflammation of the front of your lower leg
- Stress fracture: tiny crack in one or more of the bones in your ankle, foot, or toes, often from overuse or repetitive activity
What causes a sports injury?
The most common cause of a sports-related injury is from poor training methods. When you overtrain, fail to warm up before exercising, or don’t use proper form, you may injure the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones in your feet and ankles.
Other things that can contribute to foot and ankle sports injuries include:
- Unsafe exercise environments: put you at risk for falling, tripping, or rolling your ankle
- Bone architecture: the way your bones and muscles are built, like uneven leg length or flat feet
- Pronation: inward rolling of the foot when walking or running
- Overuse: repetitive movements can stress tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones
If you don’t listen to your body when it’s in pain, or you increase your exercise too quickly, you put yourself at risk for injury. Always make sure you have the correct technique and are using proper equipment.
How are sports injuries of the foot and ankle treated?
After reviewing your symptoms, Dr. Kaviani or Dr. Chabokrow recommends an individualized treatment plan based on the severity of your injury.
Mild sports injuries respond well to the RICE treatment method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Moderate-to-severe sports injuries may require a more specialized sports medicine treatment, such as:
- Orthotics: custom shoe inserts designed to provide support and reduce the stress placed on your foot and ankle
- Steroid injection: reduces pain and inflammation
- Biomechanical correction: improves alignment and foot mechanics
- Bracing or taping: provides support for injured tissues
- Surgery: performed in extreme cases to repair damaged tissue or fractures
To schedule an evaluation at Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute, book online or by calling our office directly.
