One of the major responsibilities of the feet is supporting our body weight. The feet are composed of load-bearing structures that are capable of withstanding the stress of running, jumping or most sports activities. But feet have limits too and when we go beyond what they were designed for then injuries will happen.

Foot Doctor Discusses Sports Related Conditions

Sever’s Disease

This is a painful heel condition found in child athletes. Feet development occurs during our childhood years. And an injury may occur when these are subjected to repeated abuse from sports activities before it is fully developed. The heel growth plate is one of the last structures in the feet to mature. And child athletes are at high risk for developing heel injuries because of this.

Athletes Foot

Anybody can have athlete’s foot but this is more common among athletes because of certain practices. Athletes often have to take showers in training rooms or public showers. An infection can occur when bare feet is exposed to wet surfaces.

Sore Feet

A hard day of training often results to sore feet. While most athletes dismiss this as part of their profession, pain and soreness that don’t go away with medication and rest should be consulted with a podiatrist. Jeffrey Petty, DPM is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people suffering from sports related foot injuries.

Fractures

Fractures are commonly caused by breaks in load bearing bones in the feet. High risk areas include the heel, ankle, navicula and metatarsal bones. Stress on these foot structures are multiplied often to its breaking point through repeated high impact activities. This is why warm-ups and foot strengthening exercises should be done before athletes progress into more difficult activities.

Ankle Sprains

Sports require explosive movements that demand strength and flexibility. A quick change in direction places huge stress on the ankles causing sprain. When it is overstretched beyond its limit, this is injured causing pain and inflammation.

Tingling Feet

That tingling sensation in your feet can be caused by poor circulation or nerve damage. While it might only be a cause of inconvenience it can already be a symptom of an underlying disease. This includes peripheral neuropathy or Raynaud’s disease.

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Family Foot & Ankle Centers by clicking here or calling 972-597-4132 to reach our Waxahachie office, 903-872-9910 to reach our Corsicana office, or  972-875-3668 to reach our Ennis office.