No matter your level of participation in athletics, proper footwear is your best defense against sports injuries. If you have a pair of shoes catered to your unique sport, your risk of injury is significantly reduced.
Our team at Apple Podiatry Group in Arlington, Texas, is passionate about sports injury prevention, and we want you to understand the power that choosing good shoes has for mitigating your risk of injury.
In this blog, we take a look at five common sports injuries and how proper footwear can help you avoid them.
If you’re a runner, you’re especially vulnerable to Achilles tendinitis. Your Achilles is the largest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone, and it gets inflamed easily, especially if you run without proper foot support. For this reason, it’s essential to invest in high-quality running shoes.
We recommend looking for shoes that offer optimal arch support, cushioning, and a snug fit. Brands that specialize in running shoes manufacture footwear that give the right balance of comfort and performance. This means not only will your running experience become better, but it will also protect you against Achilles tendinitis.
When you participate in sports that demand swift and dynamic movements such as basketball, you put yourself at risk of ankle sprains. High-top shoes made for sports like basketball provide essential ankle support that lowers your chance of injury. You want these shoes to fit tightly around your ankle to give extra stability to your vulnerable ankle joint.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. Most high-impact sports, like tennis, heighten your risk of this injury. For plantar fasciitis prevention, choose shoes that have ample arch support, plenty of cushioning, and effective shock absorption.
Additionally, custom orthotics can offer support that addresses your foot’s unique needs and protects against plantar fasciitis.
When you repeatedly run on hard surfaces, the impact can lead to stress fractures — small cracks in the bone resulting from repetitive impact. You can avoid this by choosing the right footwear.
For stress fracture risk reduction, opt for running shoes specifically designed for shock absorption, featuring cushioning in the midsole to alleviate stress on your bones. It’s also helpful to rotate your running shoe selection to prevent overuse.
Turf toe is a sprain that affects the ligaments around your big toe joint and develops in those who play soccer or other sports on artificial turf. To avoid turf toe, select soccer cleats with flexible soles and good toe support to prevent your big toe from hyperextending. In addition, always choose cleats suitable for your playing surface — whether firm ground, soft ground, or artificial turf.
It’s important to understand the unique demands of your particular sport in order to choose the correct shoes. Investing in the right footwear is a crucial step in safeguarding yourself from sports injuries.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact our team at Apple Podiatry Group by calling your nearest office location or by scheduling an appointment online.
