Protect Your Most Important Sports Gear – Your Feet
What’s your favorite athletic activity? Whether it’s tennis, yoga, running, or something else, you probably have a favorite piece of equipment. It might be a preferred racquet, mat, or pair of sneakers. But, no matter which sport you like best, there’s one piece of equipment you can’t do without: healthy feet and ankles. When injury or illness strikes, you’re sidelined.
Your feet and ankles are among nature’s most complex structures. Did you know that they contain over one quarter of all the bones in your body? That’s true and those bones are supported by over 100 muscles, along with miles of blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues. This means that your feet and ankles are vulnerable to a wide range of issues. Common issues among athletes include:
- Stress fractures: Unlike a bone break that occurs as the result of a sudden accident, a stress fracture develops slowly over time, beginning with a hairline break and becoming progressively more severe and painful.
- Tendinitis: The tendons are thick, stretchy bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. It’s painful when they become inflamed or irritated.
- Plantar warts and other infections: If you spend time in humid locker rooms, on pool decks, or other places where many people gather in bare feet, you’re at risk of a wide range of fungal infections.
Take steps to keep feet and ankles safe. Here are some tips from Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos:
- Replace running shoes at least once a year or every 500 miles, whichever comes first.
- If your podiatrist has prescribed custom orthotics for cushioning and support, wear them routinely.
- Wear sandals in the locker room, even in the shower.
Report any discomfort to your foot doctor. Head into the office for examination, diagnosis, and treatment if the pain persists. With years of specialized training and experience, a board-certified podiatrist like Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM is the best-qualified medical professional to care for your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Schedule a convenient appointment in My Chicago Foot Expert’s modern, comfortable office today. Call our friendly staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to get started today.
