Sports Treatment

Whether you are actively involved in sports on a professional level, or just engage for fun, protection of your feet is very important. Many athletes are prone to foot injuries,some which can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Because people participating in sports related activities bear the entire weight of their body during the activity, feet are under a big amount of stress. Many times in sports a person’s feet take a lot of the forces from the activity. If you visit Dr. Perlstein for a sports related injury, he will listen to the problem, examine the area, and provide a treatment plan.
The most common causes for sports related foot injuries are from:
• Not warming up properly
• Overuse
• Intense workouts
• Improper footwear
• Playing on hard surfaces

Conditions Associated With Sports
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, the arch tendon of the foot. Your plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue, which runs from under the heel to the front of the foot. This condition is common among individuals involved in running, dancing, and jumping. Symptoms for plantar fasciitis include: pain under the heel, pain is worse
in the morning, stretching causes pain.

Heel Spur
A heel spur is a bony growth that happens at the attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone, and many times occurs with plantar fasciitis. It occurs because of repetitive pulling of the plantar fascia. This condition is common among individuals involved in running, dancing, and jumping. Symptoms for heel spurs include: pain and tenderness
on the base of the heel, pain when you bear weight on the heel, and sometimes it’s difficult to walk.

Bruised Heel
Bruised heels can be caused by a sudden impact, like landing hard on your foot, or repetitive pounding. When the heel incurs repetitive pounding and can cause the fat pad to be pushed up the side of the heel. If this happens then there is less protection on the heel, which causes pain. Symptoms for a bruised heel include: pain while walking, and pain at the heel.

Achilles Tendon Bursitis
Achilles Tendon Bursitis happens when the bursa sacs of fluid, which cushion the Achilles tendon and protect it from rubbing against the heel bone or outer skin, become inflamed and irritated. This condition is a common foot pain in athletes, but especially those that run. Symptoms of Achilles tendon bursitis include: pain at the back of the heels, pain when running uphill or on soft surfaces, tenderness, and swelling.

Blisters
Blisters occur when shoes rub repeatedly on the skin causing friction burns. This happens as the outer lay of skin separates from the inner layers, which cause the space between to fill with lymph fluid. This condition occurs in athletes wearing new shoes, and those athletes who take place in events like marathons. Symptoms for blisters
include: redness on the foot, either at the back of the heel or toes.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when there is damage to the tibial nerve. Your tibial nerve provides movement and sensation to the calf and foot muscles. This condition can be caused by direct trauma to the area, or pressure on the nerve for a long period of time. Symptoms for tarsal tunnel syndrome include: burning sensation, numbness,
tingling, pain, and weakness of foot, toes or ankle.

Turf Toe
Turf toe happens when the big toe is bent upward. At one point the shoe grips the hard surface and sticks, which causes the person’s body weight to go forward and bends the toe upward. When a toe bends upward it causes damage to the ligaments under the toe. It’s named this because it happens more often in athletes who play games on artificial surfaces. Symptoms for turf toe include: swelling and pain at the joint of the big toe, and pain and tenderness on bending the toe or pulling it upward.

Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a skin infection that occurs among athletes, and others, who wear nonbreathable footwear. It happens most often on the toes, between them, and the soles of the feet. It’s caused by a fungus that lives in warm and moist environments. It can be transferred through direct contact when people use the same towels, socks, and walk barefoot in changing room floors. Symptoms for athlete’s foot include: itching, burning, and peeling or flaking skin.

Stress Fractures
Stress fractures can occur with overloading the foot and ankle with excessive pressure in sports and exercise .It comes from doing too much too soon, and your body is not ready for this overload. The bone starts to crack and the area over the bone becomes swollen and painful. It's important to treat this injury before the bone breaks completely .

What You Can Do For Temporary Relief
• Take time out of your schedule to rest the affected foot
• Stay away from activities that will aggravate the condition even more
• Apply ice to the area to help reduce pain, and inflammation
• Take anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen
• Tape the foot to provide stability
• Replace shoes, and make sure your new ones are comfortable and fit correctly.
If you are involved in sports related activities, and are having difficulty with your feet, give our office a call. We would be happy to assist you in identifying, and coming up with a plan for treatment.

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.