Learning More About Podiatrist Care

Three Foot Injuries That Might Sideline You When You Run Frequently

Running puts a lot of stress on your feet. You can help protect your feet by always wearing supportive shoes when you run and do your stretches, but problems can still arise. A foot injury should always be treated promptly so you heal quicker. You shouldn't keep running when it causes pain or you may do more damage. Here are three common foot injuries that can develop when you run frequently.

Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle can happen when you least expect it. All it takes is landing on your foot wrong and you can sprain an ankle. This is a painful injury that can cause a great deal of swelling in your foot. When you sprain your ankle, apply ice as soon as you can because ice helps reduce swelling. Elevating your foot helps with swelling too. Your podiatrist may need to fit you with a brace or crutches so you can stay mobile and stay off your foot while it heals.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury that often happens due to overuse; this condition causes intense foot pain especially when you wake up in the morning and take your first steps. When the fascia is inflamed and injured with tiny tears, it is susceptible to further injury so you don't want to keep running with this condition unless you discuss it with your podiatrist. You may not have much pain while running, but once you stop, you may barely be able to walk. One treatment for this is to wear a night splint that holds your foot in a stretched position. Your podiatrist might give you injections in your foot to help with swelling and pain. It can take a long time for plantar fasciitis to heal, so working with a podiatrist is important when you need to get back to running as quickly as possible.

Stress Fracture

A stress fracture is a tiny fracture in your foot that occurs from overuse and repetitive pounding as you run. You may notice pain in the area of a bone but on the bottom of your foot or your heel. Your podiatrist may perform an X-ray on your foot to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment includes staying off the foot until it heals. You'll need to use crutches or a knee walker to stay mobile so you don't have to be sedentary. Don't resume running until your podiatrist says it's okay because you could cause further bone fractures that are bad enough to require surgery; then, you'll have to stop running for even longer.

Sore feet, tired feet, and foot injuries are common side effects of running. You may not be able to prevent every injury, but by working closely with a sports podiatrist you can learn tips for preventing injuries and get prompt treatment that helps you heal as fast as possible. To learn more, visit a website like http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com


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