The Role of Podiatrist in Sports Injury Recovery
a month ago
4 min read

The Role of Podiatrist in Sports Injury Recovery

When you are a professional sportsperson, and pushing yourself to the limits in the field of sports, you will know that you are prone to injury. You can experience a wide range of foot and ankle problems starting from stress to ankle fractures. 

When you are engaged in on–field sports, you will know that podiatrists will play a vital role in your life. It is seen that podiatrists are those specialists who focus on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of ankle and foot conditions. 

The article will explore about significant role of podiatrists in sports and the ways they are helping athletes stay fit in their games. 

What Is a Sports Podiatrist?

A sports podiatrist is a person who specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating problems related to lower limbs for persons related to sports. While they will understand the necessity of alleviating stresses related to sports, they will help you to elevate these stresses. 

While treating sports injuries, these sports podiatrists will work for athletes at all levels. They will provide care for fractures, sprains, torn ligaments, and chronic conditions like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and tendinitis. 

They also focus on injury prevention as well. While identifying potential issues that could lead to injury, they will analyze the biometrics of an athlete. They will also diagnose foot position and gait as well. 

While they will try to help you to prevent these arising issues, they will provide interventions, and advice on your injuries as well. They will recommend custom orthotics and shoes that will help you prevent the graveness of such injuries. 

They will also help you in the rehabilitation process and will supervise and design programs to gain flexibility, strength, and functionality in your legs to play the sport. 

 What Will Sports Podiatrists Do 

When it comes to sports injuries, sports podiatrists will do a lot of things. All things are being discussed below for readers. 

Enhancing Performance and Treating Injuries 

Sports podiatrists must help you with medicines, and prevent and treat you with your foot injuries for playing sports. While they understand the stresses and biomechanics in sports, it helps them to treat your injuries easily. 

Treating Sports Injuries after Diagnosis

When it comes to sports–related lower and foot extremities and overuse injuries, sports podiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating those conditions. 

While they will treat a wide range of conditions like plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis, they will treat sprains and fractures as well. 

Prevention of Injury 

Sports podiatrists can speculate potential risks and provide solutions for chronic pain and injuries, as they will perform comprehensive gait analysis, and biomechanical assessments. 

While they will provide orthotic aids and athletic trainer regimes for athlete’s sports, they can offer appropriate footwear. 

Enhancement in Performance 

While sports podiatrists will optimize ankle and foot functions, they will try to improve the performance of athletes. While they will advise on orthotics and footwear, there will be enhanced efficiency, comfort, and balance in your sports performance. 

The Process of Injury Treatment

 Sports podiatrists are in the frontline for medical treatments, as you experience an injury in sports. While they will draw up a comprehensive treatment plan, they will use their expertise to diagnose an injury. 

Initial Assessment

While sports podiatrists will examine your injury, the treatment procedure will begin with a first assessment. While they will be deciding on a treatment approach, they will determine the extent of damage to your legs. 

Development of Treatment Plan

Once the assessment is done, sports podiatrists will formulate a treatment plan that will help you return to the field soon. The plan may include physical therapy, orthotics, and sometimes surgery. 

Implementation of Treatment

Once the plan of treatment is done, sports podiatrists will try to implement the procedure of treatment. While they will oversee this phase, they will monitor your condition, and track your progress simultaneously. 

Common Sports Injuries Treated by Podiatrists

Sports podiatrists should be able to treat sports injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and ankle sprains. 

Stress Fractures 

When there is a hairline crack for jumpers and runners in the bone that occurs due to reparative force, it is called a stress fracture. While podiatrists will perform physical therapy, they will suggest immobilization to orthotics, and rest as well. 

Plantar Fasciitis

When there is an inflammation of the band of tissues that runs across the bottom of your foot, it is called plantar fasciitis. Sports podiatrists will recommend custom orthotics, special shoes, and treatments like stretching for healing this condition. 

Achilles Tendonitis

This condition involves inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Treatments provided by a podiatrist can include rest, ice, stretches, and in some severe cases, operation.

Ankle Sprains

In many sports, an ankle sprain is a common issue. Podiatrists often suggest elevation, ice compression, rest, and physical therapy. 

Final Words 

It is seen sports podiatrists play a huge role in recovery from injuries in sports. If you are under such guidance, you will be able to recover perfectly and will be back in the field to play the sport.