Sports podiatry is the field of diagnosing and treating injuries to the feet and ankles of those who play sports.  At the Ivanhoe Podiatry Clinic, they will assess, diagnose, and treat sports injuries to your feet and ankles like sprains, broken toes, bruises, etc.  They work toward rehabilitation and getting you back to playing the sport

Some of the reasons that you should see a sports podiatrist at Ivanhoe Podiatry Centre can include:

• Spraining your ankle—this is a common injury but some are more prone to them than others, especially if you play sports. If you are prone to them, you might see a podiatrist to run some tests and come up with a treatment plan to help prevent it from happening on a regular basis.
• Plantar fasciitis—this is a condition that commonly has those that play sports to see a sports podiatrist, usually in those that stand, run, or walk on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Some signs of this medical condition can include swelling around your ankle or other joints, and pain at the bottom of your foot that lasts more than two weeks.
• Heel pain—this can include issues like stress fractures, Achilles tendon inflammation, or plantar fasciitis.

At Ivanhoe Podiatry Clinic they will analyze your want to determine what type of program you will need, strengthening or orthotic, which is part of your treatment plan.  To analyze your walk the podiatrist will use a gait scanner.  It is a pressure-sensitive pad that will analyze how your feet make contact with the ground.  It will also measure where you put pressure, how forceful your steps are, and as you move, how you shift the pressure.  They will also visually measure your walk.

They will also evaluate your physical activity levels to make sure you are getting the best treatment.  A sports podiatrist has the knowledge to know what type of footwear and orthotics would work best to treat your condition and make walking, running, or standing better for you.  They may have you do some muscle-strengthening exercises or stretches.

A sports podiatrist in Ivanhoe Podiatry Centre will use techniques such as trigger point therapy, joint mobilization, massage, exercises, physical therapy, and orthotic therapy.  A sports podiatrist may also be used as a means of preventing an injury before a big sports event or when a person is in training to make sure they are training right and to help take care of any small issues before they become a big issue.

Conclusion

If you play any type of sport such as football, basketball, swimming, etc., or a runner or power walker, and you notice that it is painful to run or walk, then you should see a sports podiatrist for an examination and evaluation to take care of the issue before it becomes something more serious.  You can also seek out their expert training and advice on how to prevent an injury before a big event.  Some may be employed by sports teams while others work in clinics or have their own practices.