Sports Medicine

Sports Podiatry: Sports medicine, sports injuries treatment in the San Juan, 00924, Puerto Rico area

Podiatrists often see patients who have experienced a foot or ankle injury while playing sports. Popular sports such as running, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, and dance can be particularly hard on the feet and ankles. Strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones of the lower limbs from overtraining and repetitive motions can lead to overuse injuries. Acute trauma to the feet or ankles while playing sports or training are also common. Some of the sports injuries that podiatrists frequently diagnose and treat include plantar fasciitis, turf toe, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, ankle sprains, and Achilles tendonitis.

How to prevent sports injuries

If you are an athlete, you may be tempted to ignore the symptoms of a foot or ankle injury in favor of continuing to train and participate in your sport. This is ill-advised, as the pain or discomfort you are experiencing is the first sign that something is wrong and needs to be checked out by a professional. Left untreated, even seemingly mild injuries, such as a grade one ankle sprain, can progressively worsen, become chronic conditions, and increase the likelihood of reinjury. Common symptoms of a foot or ankle injury that should never be ignored include pain, swelling, and bruising.

If you are involved in sports and experience any foot or ankle pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. A podiatrist can determine the nature and extent of your injury, offer treatment options, and advise you on how to prevent sports-related foot and ankle injuries in the future. 

Sports Medicine (FAQs)

What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is a branch of podiatry concerned with diagnosing and treating sports-related foot and ankle injuries. A podiatrist specializing in sports medicine can find the right treatments for you to ensure a full recovery and get you back on your feet faster. They can also teach you preventive measures to avoid further foot and ankle injuries in the future.
What types of sports injuries can podiatrists treat?
Podiatrists can treat a wide range of sports injuries, including ankle sprains, foot and ankle fractures, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, Morton’s neuroma, and many more. These specialists can also analyze your gait, prescribe orthotics, help you find the right running shoes, and recommend exercises to improve your foot and ankle health.
How do podiatrists treat sports injuries?
Treatments depend on the type of injury that you have sustained. These may include conservative treatments, such as footwear and activity modifications, resting and icing the injured foot, wearing orthotics, and taking over the counter pain medications, or surgical treatments.
How can I prevent sports-related foot and ankle injuries?
There are many things that you can do to help prevent foot and ankle injuries. Stretching and strengthening the lower limbs is suggested, as strong, flexible feet and ankles are less likely to be injured. Wearing the right shoes, both for your feet and for your sport, will protect and cushion your feet. Allowing yourself adequate time to rest following a workout, and increasing the intensity and duration of your workouts slowly over time can also help you avoid injury. For more information about how you can protect your feet and ankles, please consult with a podiatrist.