Sports Injuries

Sports injuries in podiatric practise are injuries acquired to the lower limb that are of the consequence of playing sport or exercise. There are two types of sports injuries: acute and chronic.

An acute injury occurs suddenly and is usually caused by an episode of trauma (fall, kick or awkward twist) that has caused a sudden increase of pressure and force on the affected structure. A chronic injury develops over a period of time and may be as a result of the athlete’s biomechanics and current movement functionality.  An injury of this nature may also develop as a consequence of a previous acute injury, as the athletes’ biomechanics may change to offload the initial injury (changing the way, you walk, run or jump), therefore causing chronic damage to the original injury site and surrounding structures.

Risk factors
– Current lower limb biomechanics
-Foot type (Pes planus or Pes Cavus)
– Ill fitting/ incorrect footwear
– Previous injury

Conditions

• Shin splints
• Runners knee and Jumpers Knee
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Corns & Bunions
• Postural issues, hip & lower back pain
• Ingrown nails

These problems can be avoided by:

-Wearing supportive shoes appropriate for your foot type and biomechanics. Your podiatrist will be able to assist you in finding the right shoe for your individual needs.  Shoe choice should be based on the primary activity you will be performing when wearing them.

-A proper warm-up regime is crucial to the prevention of many injuries amongst all sports. Muscles, tendons and ligaments need time to adjust to the increase in force required during physical activity. A full warm-up and cool-down before and after each session is advised to keep you on your feet.

-If you do sustain an injury, it’s important not to ignore the pain. Follow the RICE protocol and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

RICE:

Rest – stop activity immediately
Ice – Place an icepack on the injured area
Compression – wrap the injured area to reduce swelling
Elevation – Keep your leg raised so the foot is above waist height

Our Podiatrists are trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate all conditions and injuries related to the feet and lower limb. We look at managing existing injuries, conducting thorough biomechanical assessments, examining your history, assessing your footwear and making appropriate recommendations tailored to your specific needs.