Getting Help With My Feet

If you have been active in sports for very long, you have may have gone through a foot or ankle injury. These are very common injuries in the sports world, which makes sense when you stop to think about how much athletes depend on their feet and their ankles. It is very important that athletes take care of their feet and ankles, but it can be hard to know exactly how to do that. The good news is that podiatrists will have the answers that you are looking for. Here are a few things that you may expect during a visit with a podiatrist. 

Analyze Your Feet

One of the first things that you can expect the podiatrist to do is actually look at your feet and your ankle. The podiatrist is going to be able to tell a lot about your feet simply from looking at them, and feeling for pressure points. The podiatrist will likely want to see the ball of your both of your feet, but also want to look at the arch. The doctor may even have you stand on a pressure-sensitive monitor to see where all the pressure is when you stand and walk.

Analyze Your Gait

The podiatrist is likely going to have you walk or even run during the visit. The doctor will be looking for anything out of the ordinary with your walking. Often if you are having foot or ankle problems, they will make themselves known in the way that you walk. The body has a way of adjusting to foot pain, and it is often absorbed in the knees, hips, and lower back. The podiatrist is going to analyze your gait to see where the problem in your feet and ankles actually is.

Custom Orthotics

When you are done walking, the doctor may have you try a few different insoles. These insoles will put the correct arch on your feet and help you walk properly. Do not be surprised if they hurt your feet at first. The feet and ankles will take a little bit to get used to the insoles. However, once your feet do adjust to the insoles, you will notice a big difference in the way your body is able to function. Often athletes that have custom insoles notice that they are free of pain but that athletic performance is also much better. 

For more information, check out links like http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com.