Sport

The feet are an athlete’s foundation

Whether you’re an endurance runner or a court sports enthusiast, high levels of activity can put you at risk of developing painful foot and ankle injuries. Therefore, it’s vital that athletes consult a sports Podiatrist, who fully understands how high-impact activities affect the lower limbs.

A sports podiatrist can assess and quantify foot mechanics to provide the correct treatment and ensure a swift recovery. Moreover, they can make recommendations to ensure that further injury does not occur down the line. Sports related injuries in the lower limbs often include stress fractures, neuromas, shin splints, knee or ankle injuries, and Achilles Tendonitis.  If you enjoy living an active life and want to enjoy a long and pain-free sports career, make sure that you work with a sports podiatrist to monitor and manage your foot and ankle health.

A sports podiatrist will often use cameras and technology to monitor how you run on a treadmill. They will look closely at how the foot strikes the ground, and the impacts of this on the ankle, knee, hip and back. Once they have a good understanding of what is causing the problems, a sports podiatrist will perform a variety of interventions from remedial therapies to footwear recommendations. To align the lower limbs, they will often prescribe orthodontic devices that are worn inside your shoes.

Podiatry Association of South Africa Sport Foot Health

Tips from a sports podiatrist:

  • Shoes don’t multi-task. So, make sure you use the correct type of shoe for your chosen activity.
  • Find the perfect fit. Before buying a sports shoe, assess if it properly fits your foot and if  it may cause discomfort over time. Never wear an ill-fitting shoe for repetitive exercise as this can lead to long-term pain and injury.
  • Early treatment of pain. Be sure to assess any pains and strains early, to prevent an injury from developing or getting worse.