Keep Your Feet in the Game

For those of us that are athletes and fitness enthusiasts, a foot injury is an upsetting reality that always lurks around us. Adding a morning run or a daily game of pick-up basketball to your daily activities makes your feet more vulnerable to certain conditions and injuries. Exercising is absolutely necessary for a happy and healthy lifestyle, but it’s important to know what the risks are and how you can minimize them. Let’s talk about some of the most common sports-related foot injuries and conditions and how you can avoid them and stay in the game.

Athlete’s Foot

Do you love to start every morning lifting weights at your local gym before work? If so, you need to be vigilant about avoiding athlete’s foot in the shared locker room. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can be easily picked up warm, damp places like locker rooms. Avoid taking home unwanted bacteria by always wearing flip-flops or shower shoes in the locker room.

Plantar Fasciitis

Some mild heel pain can be expected when you frequently exercise, but if you find that it just won’t go away, then you might have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the ball of your foot to your heel. Chronic heel pain can keep you off your favorite running path for weeks or months at a time. Fortunately, you miss it completely by stretching regularly and wearing proper athletic footwear. 

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains may not always seem like a big deal, but repeated sprains can lead to chronic ankle pain or arthritis later in life. If you do sprain your ankle, you can save yourself some pain by icing it, elevating it, and applying compression until you’re able to visit your podiatrist. If you frequently experience sprained ankles, then it’s probably time to talk to your foot doctor about custom orthotics.

If you experience any of these injuries or any other foot abnormalities while exercising or playing sports, it’s crucial that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible. Left untreated, any of these conditions could cause serious problems for you later in life. Our podiatrists, Jonathan Levy, DPM and Nadia Levy, DPM, have the expertise to assess your feet and help you stay active for years to come. Make an appointment online or call (212) 980-6487 today to visit Park 56 Podiatry located in Midtown East, Manhattan.