Foot and ankle injuries are all too common in high impacts sports, such as basketball, running and football. And without proper treatment and care, minor foot pain can turn into a serious problem, landing you a spot on the bench- fast. A sports podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in treating such sports-related foot and ankle injuries suffered while playing a sport, including fractures, sprains, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Focusing on diagnosing an athlete's condition through a careful biomechanical analysis to find the underlying cause, your podiatrist can recommend appropriate treatment, footwear and exercises to get you back in the game for your best performance with as little down time as possible. Analyzing Biomechanics for Improved Performance Today's research indicates that simply treating a foot or ankle injury alone isn't enough to treat and prevent further problems. In order to resolve an injury or musculoskeletal condition and prevent additional injury, you need to determine which structures are involved and why they are hurting. Through a careful biomechanical assessment of your feet, legs and body position, a podiatrist can identify the underlying cause of your pain and recommend the best treatment for correcting the problem and preventing you from sustaining further injury. A thorough biomechanical assessment and motion analysis from a podiatrist involves taking an integrated view through evaluation of several factors, including overall postural alignment, flexibility, and strength. By analyzing the mechanics of a patient's stance, postural alignment, and flexibility of the hips and back, your podiatrist can make recommendations for orthotics or a course of physical therapy designed to strengthen core muscles and improve alignment of your joints. Treatment for Sports Injuries A biomechanical evaluation will help identify any imbalances an athlete has in terms of alignment, flexibility and strength. Strengthening exercises and stretches may be recommended to help minimize and correct these imbalances. By strengthening core muscles in the ankle and calf along with ensuring proper alignment and foot mechanics, injuries can be minimized when on the field, keeping you in the game. Many times, with the right treatment, surgery can be avoided, thus diminishing the recovery time from a variety of injuries or disorders. Your feet are one of the most overlooked body parts when it comes to exercise and sports. And when it comes to rigorous sport activities, your feet and ankles often take the brunt of the stress. In order to maximize your performance, you'll want to care of your feet, which involves taking care of all parts of your body, including your ankles, knee, leg and hips. Don't allow recurrent or chronic pain keep you from enjoying your favorite sport. Visit your podiatrist for an evaluation of your foot and ankle structures and find out how you can minimize injuries for you maximum performance.
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