SPORTS MEDICINE THERAPY

Bayshore Podiatry Center is Tampa, Florida’s go-to destination for comprehensive sports medicine services. Our goal is to help you achieve peak performance and enjoy your athletic pursuits without the hindrance of foot and ankle pain. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or have just started training, our team is committed to providing the highest level of care to keep you moving forward. We pride ourselves on treating each patient as an individual, taking a comprehensive look at your biomechanics, gait and lifestyle to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Some sports, including tennis, pickleball, running, basketball, football, soccer, and dancing, increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries as well as arch, ankle, and heel pain. These sports as well as athletic competitions like triathlons, risk foot and ankle injuries because they require athletes to wear tightly worn shoes with a high frequency of jumping and quick movements. Since our feet are considered the foundation of our body, professional sports podiatry services help should be sought at the first sign of any foot or ankle injury.

Sports Injuries We Treat

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis affects the largest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinitis typically occurs because of overuse in sports like tennis, pickleball, or running. When this tendon is harmed, it can be extremely painful and may lead to further complications including tears, ruptures, tendinitis, peritendinitis, tendinosis, tendinopathy, and bursitis.

Ankle Sprains and Fractures

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch or tear while ankle fractures involve a break in one or more bones of the ankle. Both injuries are common in sports that involve jumping, twisting, or sudden changes in direction like soccer, basketball, or dancing. Symptoms of ankle sprains and fractures can include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight.

Metatarsal and Toe Fractures

Metatarsal and toe fractures occur after trauma to the top of the foot. These fractures are very common in runners, dancers, and athletes who play high-impact sports or participate in Ironman competitions. Symptoms of metatarsal and toe fractures can include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.

Peroneal Tendonitis

Peroneal tendonitis involves the inflammation of the tendons that run along the outer side of the ankle. This condition is often seen in athletes who engage in sports that require repetitive ankle movements such as running or tennis. Symptoms of peroneal tendonitis can include pain, swelling, and instability on or around the ankle.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis may occur when the band of tissues supporting your foot’s arch experiences too much stress. These tissues can become strained from frequently performing physical activities like tennis, pickleball, running, or dancing, causing inflammation and pain at the bottom of the heel.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is the inflammation of the sesamoid bones that are found within the tendons in the ball of your foot. This condition is most common in activities that put significant pressure on the ball of the foot such as running, basketball, or dance. The main symptoms of sesamoiditis include pain under the big toe and difficulty bending the toe.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heels of children and adolescents that is typically caused by physical activities, improper footwear, growth spurts, or biomechanical issues like flat feet or high arches. The most common symptoms of Sever’s disease include heel pain, tenderness, swelling, or limping.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are the pain that runs along the shin bone caused by overuse or improper training techniques and are most common among runners and athletes who participate in high-impact sports. Shin splint symptoms can include tenderness, soreness, swelling, or pain along the shinbone.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures can arise due to a lack of conditioning, use of improper equipment or technique, and repetitive stress placed on the foot and ankle. A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that can be very painful and cause a great deal of pain or swelling.

Turf Toe

Turf toe can occur when the joint of the big toe becomes sprained or tears from repetitive movements or hyperextension. Turf toe usually occurs in dancers and football players with symptoms that include pain, swelling, and limited joint movement of the big toe.

Sports Injury Treatments

At Bayshore Podiatry, our approach to treating sports injuries is individualized and customized. Our podiatrists begin each treatment with a thorough examination of the foot or ankle condition to determine the right course of treatment that may include:

• Modification of activity to allow to return to sport as soon as possible. We often give you homework to do to help your body get better and prevent your training or hobby from reinjuring your body. We use full rest as a last resort as our goal is to keep you active.
• Physical therapy to introduce exercises that strengthen and stretch your muscles and ligaments of the affected areas.
• Orthotic devices that help support and alleviate pressure on the injury.
• Medications like anti-inflammatory medications that work to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Regenerative medicine modalities such as focal and radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy, Class IV lasers, platelet rich plasma treatments, Whartons jelly injections and more.
• Surgery for severe cases of damaged tissues or broken bones that will not respond to regular or advanced modalities of conservative therapy. This is always a last resort with our physicians.

Training Tips for Triathletes

Triathletes face unique foot and ankle challenges due to the extreme demands of their sport. At Bayshore Podiatry, we know how to treat and prevent sports injuries to optimize triathletes performance. Potential recommendations for triathletes include:

Cross-Training: Since triathlon competitions include a multitude of athletic skills, incorporating cross-training into your exercise routine can help to avoid developing potential injuries.

Hydration and Nutrition: Triathletes should follow a nutritious diet that supports adequate muscle function and recovery as well as maintain a high level of hydration.

Recovery Strategies: For all athletes, it is recommended that recovery strategies like RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), sports massages, proper diet, and adequate sleep should be used during training and after competitions.

Regular Podiatry Check-Ups: Including regular check-ups with Bayshore Podiatry Center’s sports podiatrists will help you to maintain foot and ankle health as well as monitor any potential injuries early for faster recovery.

Don’t let foot and ankle pain prevent you from achieving your athletic goals. At Bayshore Podiatry Center, our experienced sports medicine podiatrists are dedicated to helping you stay active and pain-free. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward optimal foot and ankle health.