With the onset of Fall comes several sports including Lacrosse, football, soccer, basketball, and hockey. Each requires hard work and dedication. No matter what the sport, though, there is always the chance of an injury especially to an athlete’s feet.

Some of these injuries include:

Plantar fasciitis – Painful inflammation of the area that connects the foot bones to the toes
Heel spurs – Painful calcium deposit in the heel
Shin splints – Inflammation of the muscles and bones of the shin
Ankle strains and sprains – Overextension or twisting of the ankle
Achilles tendonitis – Inflammation of the Achilles tendon
Neuroma – Pinched nerve in the foot

The best way to treat the above conditions is to see your podiatrist. He will examine your feet and determine what treatment is most appropriate. A podiatrist is specifically trained to recognize causes for and successful treatments of a variety of foot injuries.

Treatments for the above include:

Plantar fasciitis – Steroid injections, pain medicines, physical therapy, ultrasound which removes scar tissue and surgery but only in the most extreme cases
Heel spurs – Custom orthotic that provides cushioning, pain medicine, physical therapy, night splints and surgery to remove the spur or loosen the plantar fascia
Shin splints – Rest, apply ice 15 minutes on and off, pain medicine, elevate the leg, compression socks, and good supportive orthotic or insole. Rest is key
Ankle strains and sprains – RICE or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Reduce or stop participating in your sport until your ankle strength returns. Many athletes wrap their ankles with tape to add support
Achilles tendonitis – Reduce physical activity, gently massage tendon area, ice sore area after the competition, change sports, wear a brace that immobilizes the tendon until it heals and/or surgery if needed
Neuroma – Use footpads or soft orthotics to relieve pain, pain medicine like acetaminophen, steroid injections and/or surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve or removal of the nerve

Whatever the injury, healing, and recovery depends on how well the athlete treats him or herself. Don’t be a hero. See your podiatrist for the best results.

If you believe you have any of the above injuries or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with Dr. Anant Joshi of Advanced Footcare of NJ LLC . Call us at (973) 256-0002. We are located at 1031 McBride Avenue, Suite D-105, Woodland Park, NJ, 07424. You can also contact us at our email advancedfootcare1031@outlook.com.