Sports Medicine

Sports medicine provides complete podiatry care to athletes, runners, and other active people. It uses patient education, preventive care, and activity changes to reduce the risk of injuries and encourage the body’s healing process. At Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, with three offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons offer sports medicine to people of all ages. Call Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, today to schedule a sports medicine consultation, or book your appointment online.

What is podiatry sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a podiatry subspecialty focusing on athletes and other active people. It includes several measures to enhance performance and prevent injuries, including:

Patient education

People who run, play sports, or work physically demanding jobs are more likely to suffer foot and ankle injuries. Sports medicine educates these people on how to warm up before exercise and cool down afterward. It emphasizes good posture and proper safety equipment to reduce the risk of injuries.

Preventive care

Preventive measures like stretching and strengthening exercises are easy and effective ways to keep your feet and ankles strong and flexible. The Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, team prescribes custom-fitted orthotics (shoe inserts) and special footwear that support the heels and ankles, preventing general wear-and-tear.

Treatment of sports injuries

Even the most careful athletes suffer the occasional injury, like an ankle sprain or stress fracture. The Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, team has state-of-the-art diagnostics on-site, like digital X-rays and ultrasounds. They’re able to quickly diagnose injuries and prevent them from getting worse.

Which problems does sports medicine treat?

The Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, team uses sports medicine to treat various foot and ankle injuries, including:

• Ankle sprains
• Muscle strains
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon ruptures
• Joint dislocations
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Bursitis

The team also treats overuse injuries like heel spurs and stress fractures.

What happens during a sports medicine appointment?

Your Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, provider reviews your medical records and asks about the reason for your visit. If you’re an athlete who wants to reduce the risk of a foot or ankle injury, the team develops a personalized care plan, emphasizing proper safety equipment and preventive care.

If you’re trying to heal from an injury, they complete a foot and ankle exam and order X-rays or an ultrasound to pinpoint where and how severe the problem is. They then develop a personalized treatment to speed up your healing process.

What types of treatments does sports medicine provide?

The Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, team takes a conservative, patient-centered approach to sports medicine. They could suggest:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication
• Custom-fitted orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Activity changes
• Wearing the proper safety equipment
• Warming up before exercise and cooling down after

A combination of treatments is often used to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Call Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, today to schedule a sports medicine appointment or book your visit online.