Accidents happen- and if you’re participating in sports, you’re certainly more prone to sports injuries. When it comes to your feet and ankles, there are many types of injuries you could experience, including Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, ankle sprains, and more. However, there are also many preventative measures you can take to ensure you’re less at risk of injury while playing.
Wear the Right Gear
Wearing the proper protective gear is essential in safe sports play. Whatever sport or activity you’re participating in, you should wear the correct gear that protects the areas that are prone to injury. This protects you not only from foot and ankle injuries, but also other areas on your body that are at risk.
Always Stretch Before
There’s ample research that proves all the benefits of stretching, one of which is that it decreases the risk of injury. If your muscles aren’t warmed up enough before partaking in vigorous activity or any activity that physically pushes your body, you’re much more likely to hurt yourself. Always ensure your muscles feel warm and you’ve done a solid stretch before starting to play, especially in the muscle groups you know you’ll be using.
Always Listen to Your Body
The best thing you can do for yourself is to listen to your body. If your foot or ankle is hurting or you sense something wrong, don’t continue to play and instead seek medical care. Continuing to engage in physical activity if you’re injured can make the injury even worse and lengthen the healing process. If something feels wrong or hurts in your foot, chances are, your body is right- and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Pick the Right Shoes
The shoes you wear have a large effect on not only your performance, but your chances of avoiding an injury. Make sure you pick the right shoes for your sport or activity by consulting with a doctor or trusted coach. For example, if you have low arches or feet that pronate, you should opt for shoes with substantial arch support. If you participate in outdoor sports on rougher, more gravel-like terrain, you should choose shoes with better traction.
Contact Us Today
When it comes to your foot and ankle health, the best doctors to consult are the ones at Mitchell Foot & Ankle. Playing any sort of sport certainly comes with risks, and if you think you may have injured yourself, we encourage you to make an appointment. For a foot doctor in Bronzeville you can trust, give us a call.