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Podiatry for overuse injuries

 

It’s January again, the month of new year’s resolutions. Living healthier, being more active, and consequently: more workouts. Despite the positive intended results of these resolutions, sometimes there are associated risks, especially if you’ve taken it easy in the past month(s). Often, we approach things with great enthusiasm, going from 0 to 100, while our bodies are not used to the intensity of the workout anymore. This can lead to overuse and, consequently, injuries. That’s why this month, we are paying extra attention to what overuse injuries are and how we can help.

What is an overuse injury?

Overuse injuries are injuries that occur due to prolonged stress on certain muscles, tendons, joints, or other parts of the body. They are often a result of repetitive movements, excessive force, or prolonged stress on specific body parts. Overuse injuries often develop gradually due to an accumulation of micro-damages, resulting in pain and reduced function of the affected body part.

In overuse injuries, the feet can play a role in causing the injury because they form the foundation of the body and therefore absorb the forces generated during movement. Overuse in the foot can have multiple causes: biomechanical abnormalities, inappropriate footwear, muscle weakness, changes in activity levels, anatomical factors (such as leg length discrepancy), underlying conditions, training techniques, or weight.

How to recognize overuse symptoms?

Pain: Chronic or persistent pain occurring during or after physical activity can be a sign of overuse. The pain may develop gradually and can range from mild to severe.

Swelling: Overuse can lead to inflammation in the affected area, resulting in swelling. Swelling may sometimes be accompanied by warmth and redness.

Stiffness: Persistent stiffness in muscles or joints, especially after periods of rest or in the morning, may indicate overuse.

Changes in performance: If you notice a decline in performance without an apparent reason, it could be a sign of overuse. This may manifest as fatigue, reduced strength, or coordination.

Pain with specific movements: Pain occurring with specific movements or activities may indicate overuse of the involved muscles, tendons, or joints.

Changes in posture or gait: To avoid pain, people with overuse injuries may adjust their posture or way of walking, leading to additional stress on other parts of the body.

Sensitivity to touch: The affected area may be sensitive when pressure is applied, indicating an inflammatory response.

Fatigue: Excessive fatigue that does not improve with rest may suggest an overuse injury.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice. A doctor, physiotherapist, or podiatrist can identify the specific cause of the symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

 

What does a podiatrist do for overuse injuries?

 

In our field of expertise, podiatry, we focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot-related problems and their impact on the overall body function. A podiatrist specializes in assessing the biomechanics of the feet and their impact on the musculoskeletal system.

Biomechanical abnormalities refer to irregularities or disruptions in the mechanical function of the feet and lower limbs during movement. These abnormalities can affect how the feet move, the forces exerted on the joints, and how body weight is distributed during activities such as walking, running, or standing. Podiatrists are specialized in diagnosing and treating these biomechanical abnormalities to reduce pain and injury and improve overall foot health.

Podiatrists play a crucial role in treating and preventing overuse injuries by:

…analyzing the biomechanics of the foot. Podiatrists assess the way you walk and move. Deviations in biomechanics can lead to overuse complaints.

…optimizing your walking technique. Based on your personal gait analysis, a podiatrist provides advice on optimizing your walking pattern to reduce overuse complaints.

…applying manual treatment techniques. The optimal range of motion for the foot, ankle, knee, and hip is examined. If deviations are present, manual therapy is used to improve the range of motion.

…fitting podiatric devices. Podiatric insoles optimize the position and function of your feet.

…providing advice on footwear. Podiatrists assess the wear pattern of shoes and analyze the gait with footwear. Based on this, they determine if the footwear is suitable and provide appropriate shoe advice.

…offering advice on load and capacity. Your load capacity is assessed, and based on this, advice is given on the load that suits you best.


When to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist?

Injuries can be treated, but prevention is, of course, better. When you plan to train more frequently or intensively, it’s wise to build up slowly to avoid overloading your body. If you notice any of the above symptoms or if you want to fully prepare to return to the gym, it’s beneficial to book a gait analysis with one of our practitioners. This way, we can identify your problem areas together and treat them systematically.

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