Overview of Sports Injuries

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Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or exercise. In recent years, increasing numbers of people of all ages have been focusing on their podiatrist’ advice to get active for all of the health benefits exercise has to offer. But for some people, particularly those who overdo or who don’t properly train or warm up suffer from sports injuries. Fortunately, most sports injuries can be treated effectively, and most people who suffer injuries can return to a satisfying level of physical activity after an injury due to the care of their podiatrist because many sports injuries can be prevented if people take the proper precautions
The most common reasons are improper biomechanics, overuse or stress injuries and of course an injury as a result of trauma. Improper biomechanics is the most common cause of sports injuries of the foot and ankle and may be avoided with proper preparation and corrective measures.

A good start is with the proper examination by your podiatrist. Your podiatrist is especially qualified to diagnose and correct biomechanical abnormalities by using unique diagnostic tools and techniques not employed by physicians in other specialties. A typical examination to understand the position and motion of the foot can include the following evaluations:

• A seated evaluation: will focus on the forefoot to rearfoot alignment checks and leg strength.
• A standing evaluation: will focus on the position of the feet from the front and back of your body, leg alignment, leg length and overall posture.
• Lower extremity range of motion, and muscle strength test that will address your hip, hamstrings, quadriceps and ankle.
• A front, back, and side gait analysis will focus on pronation or lack of: leg swing, arm swing, shoulder tilt, head tilt, knee position and great toe motion.
• Shoe and orthotic evaluations will uncover wear patterns in different shoe types.
• Additional test may also include X-rays and or musculoskeletal ultrasound.

If not addressed, improper biomechanics can often lead to overuse or repetitive stress injuries as the body overcompensates for structural abnormalities. When the repetitive stresses causes tiny cracks in the bone surface it is referred to as a stress or fatigue fractures. These fractures can occur with sudden increases in training or with improper training techniques or changes in training surfaces. To reduce the risk of a stress related injury, your podiatrist is the best source of information, including warm up techniques and stretching exercises. Most other type fractures extend through the bone and are a result of trauma. They may be stable, when there is no shift in bone alignment. They can also be displaced, which is when the ends of the bone no longer line up properly. A twisting injury may result in a fracture due to tearing of the tendon that attaches to the bone and pulls a small piece of that bone away. These types of injuries take longer to heal and may require surgery by a board certified podiatric surgeon.

Utilize your podiatrist’s unique perspective and qualifications to help out your lower extremity flexibility and strength, and to provide recommendations for proper equipment based on your individual needs. Your podiatrist will be able to limit the severity and speed of the recovery of an injury.
Phone: (505) 883-6600 |info@angelafootdoctor.com