Football season is in full swing and, while it can be fun to watch, playing the sport presents a number of potential dangers. One of these possible issues is Achilles tendinitis. This overuse injury can affect anyone, but is often seen in people who spend a lot of time being physically active on their feet.
Since Achilles tendinitis is considered an overuse injury this means that if you are an athlete you are at a higher risk. People who only play sports intermittently or without properly warming up first are in especially high danger. Remember to always increase the intensity of your fitness level gradually, giving your feet time to get used to the change of pace.
Some of the most risky sports that can lead to an Achilles injury include: running, gymnastics, football, baseball, tennis, and volleyball. This is because these sports involve a lot of time spent on the feet. The more pressure and strain you are putting on your feet the more likely that you will wear out the tendon.
So how do you prevent an Achilles injury? The first thing you want to think about is your shoes. The better support you have in your footwear the less likely it will be that you will be putting excessive strain on your feet. Furthermore, if you are a runner make sure that your shoes are unique to your gait. If you overpronate or underpronate you will need shoes that help to control that. You may also wish to consider wearing a custom orthotic in your shoes. This can add support or cushioning where needed so that you are sure to stay comfortable.
Always remember to warm up before exercising and to stretch afterwards. Doing so will help keep your muscles and tendons limber and in better working order. Lastly, don’t overdo it. If your body is telling you to back off or take something slowly please listen to it. It takes much longer to heal from an injury than it does to prevent one in the first place.
If you have more questions about how Achilles tendinitis can occur please call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
