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While being athletic can be a great way to stay in shape, you do run the risk of dealing with specific foot conditions that could affect your ability to participate in your favorite sports. There are ways that you can work with your podiatrist to keep your feet healthy and prevent any complications from occurring. It’s important that you know what these specific foot conditions are and what you can do to prevent them.
Foot Conditions for Athletes
When you spend a lot of time being active on your feet, you’re bound to have pain and aches that affect you. It’s important that you’re taking time to properly care for your feet and avoid as much pain as you can. When you take the steps to care for your feet, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite activities for as long as possible.
A common condition that athletes deal with is known as Achilles tendinitis. This issue affects the Achilles tendon and is typically an overuse injury. This tendon also gets worn down with age and can be prone to injury as you get older. It’s important that you take the time to rest your foot after activities and that you’re properly stretching and warming up before engaging in extreme exercise.
Plantar fasciitis affects the plantar fascia which runs from the ball of your foot to the heel. When you spend a lot of time on your feet, the plantar fascia can become inflamed and can cause heel pain. This pain might make your feet feel stiff and sore and can happen when you’re strained from activities like running. You should be stretching your calves and feet before partaking in exercise and activities that cause stress to your feet.
Stress fractures and ankle sprains are also incredibly common with athletes. These happen when there is repetitive stress and pressure placed on the foot or when the ankle moves in a way that it shouldn’t. You should be sure that you’re wearing proper shoes for whatever activity you’re engaging in and that you are taking the time to rest your feet after engaging in activities.
Contact Your Podiatrist Today
Make sure that you’re taking care of your feet as an athlete. Contact your podiatrist today to learn how you can prevent certain foot conditions.