Three Ways A Foot And Ankle Specialist Prevent Injuries
Most high school and college sports programs work hard to develop the talent of their athletes, but many do not do enough to prevent injuries. A foot and ankle specialist can be one of the best assets any team can have, and that's why many professional sports teams hire one. There are three major ways a professional in podiatric sports medicine will prevent injuries and extend careers:
Podiatric Experts Provide Full Foot And Ankle Exams Before A Season
Many athletes have problems with their feet and ankles and don't even know it. Intense practicing and a lot of weight training can cause damage to ligaments, and some athletes have small stress fractures they are unaware of. Hiring a podiatric expert to give your athletes a full podiatric exam will help each athlete find out about any injuries or physical weaknesses that could lead to serious injury. In some cases, if a small fracture or ligament is possible, a podiatric expert will X-ray the feet and ankles and provide a remedy.
Podiatric Experts Give Expert Care At Each Game
Aside from having each athlete examined before each season, a podiatrist can provide a variety of services before, during and after a game. Athletes who tape their own ankles to prevent injuries often do it incorrectly and leave themselves open to hyper-extension or other problems. A podiatrist will be able to tape athletes ankles to prevent injury, and they can provide immediate treatment during a game if a player is injured while playing. Immediate care can lessen the length of recovery time.
Podiatric Experts Have Customized Equipment To Treat and Prevent Injuries
For treating chronic foot problems, a podiatrist will often use custom products to help athletes. Orthotic shoe inserts and orthopedic shoes are among the best tools athletes have in healing foot and ankle injuries. Knowing which orthotics to use, or having a custom designed orthopedic for specific foot issues is what a podiatrist can help with. Podiatrists can also prescribe foot and ankle braces that will prevent injuries during games and while athletes train.
Keeping the feet and ankles of athletes healthy is critical in almost any sport. If you want your team or teams to remain in the best shape possible and avoid season-ending injuries, it's worth working with a foot and ankle expert to maintain the health of your athletes. For more information, contact a business such as Elmhurst Podiatry Center Ltd.
Share
