Avoiding injuries when running is important and can make your running experience more enjoyable. For new runners, start slowly and avoid pushing yourself too hard; the key is to gradually build yourself up. Before and after a run, stretch to loosen muscles and prevent strain. Strength training can also build muscle and durability; just be sure to rest one day before running or training again. A sign that you may be pushing yourself too much is if you cannot talk in complete sentences when running; if so, you may want to slow down. Keeping a good diet to replace lost calories and vitamins, hydrating plenty, and getting enough sleep will keep your body from quickly getting fatigued. If you do feel pain, stop running. If the pain resides in your feet, take it easy and rest. If the pain doesn’t go away, you may want to see a podiatrist for a diagnosis.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Kevin Davis of Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Springfield, and White House, TN, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone typically caused by repetitive force or stress. While they can occur in various areas of the body, stress fractures are more likely to occur in the foot due to it having to bear weight and having to sustain repeated strikes. They can be very painful and often take time to properly heal. To avoid dealing with stress fractures, practice methods to prevent them from occurring. If you are starting a new physical activity, prevent stress fractures by taking it slowly and gradually increasing intensity and duration. This prevents overuse and allows your body to acclimate to physical stress. Footwear that provides proper support can improve your running style and prevent stress fractures. The surfaces you run on can also affect your risk for injury. Soft surfaces like grass can be more forgiving than harder surfaces like concrete. If you have questions about stress fractures and whether running is right for you, ask a podiatrist.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Springfield, and White House, TN, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Women’s feet have increased two sizes since the 1970s, and yet their shoe sizes haven’t. Women who have larger feet are, unfortunately, left out and have few options. Some girls have resorted to wearing boys’ shoes, which are not properly fitted for women; this can lead to an increase risk of falling and other issues. Several experts blame this on overseas production and it not being cost-effective to make bigger shoes. Bigger shoes cost more to make; however, they are accounting for larger percentages in the footwear market. A few experts recommend buying from German companies, who have kept up with foot size increases. It is important that not only women, but also men, wear properly fitted shoes. Shoes that are too small can lead to issues like plantar fasciitis, corns, hammertoes, and a number of ailments that cause foot pain.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Springfield, and White House, TN, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

It is estimated that approximately one third of people with diabetes will develop a diabetic foot ulcer. History has shown that diabetics are more likely to have problems and complications related to their feet than others. This is largely to due the fact that the disease raises blood sugar levels, which decreases both sensation and circulation. According to experts, people with diabetes are far less likely to feel pain in their feet. Furthermore, it has been found that 40% of diabetics who develop ulcers will experience some sort of recurrence within a year.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Springfield, and White House, TN, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.