Foot Injuries

Foot injuries can happen at any time to a person, and many times occur from sportsrelated activities. Dr. Perlstein deals with foot injuries at the office quite often. The types of injuries that we can see in our office can range from something very simple to
something very complex. We have people visiting the office with little wounds on their foot, and when an x-ray is taken we find out that they actually broke a bone. If you have twisted your foot or ankle is not always necessarily a simple ankle sprain, but it could
actually be a fracture or dislocation of the ankle. These are all things that need to be looked at and not thought of as something that can go away in two or three days, and Dr. Perlstein can help you. If you have injured your foot, then it needs to be looked at
and needs to be evaluated, whether it is by an x-ray, an ultrasound, or maybe even some more sophisticated testing. Injuries should definitely not be neglected! If you catch an injury early enough our office could definitely do a lot more to help you from
having a permanent disability.

Sports related injuries
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. Following is a brief overview of some of the most common injuries that result from particular sports.

Martial Arts and Kick Boxing
Injuries commonly seen as a result of martial arts and kick boxing include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, and ankle sprains. Stretching is recommended to help prevent injury; specifically, a minimum of 15 minutes of stretching before
performing any kicking or punching.

Aerobics
Impact forces from aerobics can reach up to six times the force of gravity, which is transmitted to each of the 26 bones in the foot. That is why proper shoes are crucial to successful, injury-free aerobics. Shoes should provide sufficient cushioning and shock absorption to compensate for pressure on the foot many times greater than found in walking. They must also have good medial-lateral stability. 

Team Sports
Activities such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse often lead to ankle injuries as a result of play on artificial surfaces, improper footwear, and/or inadequate stretching.

How to prevent foot injuries:
• Wear shoes for your foot type. You will want shoes with good arch support, cushioning, and plenty of room.
• Make sure you stretch first before any physical activity.
• Watch where you are stepping, or running so you will avoid tripping or falling over uneven surfaces.
• If you are overcoming an existing foot injury, ease into physical activities. If you begin to feel pain during the activity then stop the activity for a bit.
If you are struggling with a foot injury, call our office to set up an appointment with Dr. Perlstein. He can evaluate your foot, and work with you to come up with a treatment plan.


Dr. Michael Perlstein's podiatry office is located at 4414 14th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. He serves patients throughout the greater New York City area, including those residing in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Dr. Perlstein's office is open Monday through Friday as well as on Sunday.