Do you have a sports injury? Physical activity is good for you, but sometimes you can hurt yourself when you play sports or work out. A podiatrist can get you back in the game. Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle sports injuries. Precision Foot and Ankle Centers, which has offices in Torrance, San Pedro, and Los Angeles, CA, offers treatments for sports-related foot and ankle injuries. Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alona Kashanian, and Dr. Pooya Lashkari are your podiatrists for the treatment of sports injuries. 

Types of Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are injuries that happen when people exercise or play sports. The most common types of sports injuries are sprains, strains, knee injuries, dislocations, and fractures. Acute traumatic injuries include things like sprains, strains, cuts, and fractures. Overuse injuries include things like stress fractures. These injuries may happen over time, usually from repetitive training, like serving a volleyball or throwing a football. 

Causes of Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can result from a number of different causes. Sports injuries can be caused by a number of different factors. Improper gear, poor training methods, and accidents can lead to sports injuries. Not warming up or stretching before exercising or playing sports can also cause sports injuries. Martial arts, basketball, football, boxing, and hockey carry the highest risk, but non-contact sports also carry risk. 

Preventing Sports Injuries

Athletes need to rest between practices, events, and games. A lack of sleep and muscle fatigue predisposes athletes to sports injuries. Stretching an important prevention technique that should become habit for all athletes before starting activities or playing sports. Protective equipment, like helmets, pads, and shoes are also important for injury prevention.

Sports Injury Diagnosis

A proper diagnosis is key to treating an injury. Your podiatrist will start with a physical examination, with attention given to the areas of complaint. You will also go through your medical history with your doctor and he or she may order x-rays or other imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis. 

Treatments for Sports Injuries

Your doctor will develop a treatment plan that may combine more than one type of treatment, depending on your specific needs. Some common treatments for sports injuries include medication, physical therapy, steroid injections, ice and heat, orthopedic casts, splints, and range of motion exercises. Your doctor may recommend surgery for your injury if your symptoms are severe enough. 

A sports injury can affect your day-to-day activities and make your life miserable. If you have a sports injury, call Precision Foot and Ankle Centers at (310) 791-1092 today to schedule an appointment in Torrance, CA, (310) 548-3311 to schedule an appointment in San Pedro, CA, and (213) 747-7272 to schedule an appointment in Los Angeles, CA. We will help you get back to a healthy and happy life.

You wish your foot problems would resolve. At your doctor's recommendation, you've tried new shoes, rest, and some medications, but the pain does not go away. At Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in Torrance, San Pedro, and Los Angeles, CA, your podiatrists want you to return to an active lifestyle and may advise surgery on your foot. Learn the rationale behind some of the operations Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alona Kashanian, and Dr. Pooya Lashkari may propose.

Your feet and ankles

They're complex structures. Just one foot alone contains 26 bones in addition to blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. When something is amiss, the problem may disrupt your daily routines, keeping off your feet or causing you continual pain. Additionally, some foot and ankle conditions, such as bunions, diabetic wounds, and flat feet, impact overall health and personal appearance, too.

Arthritis Research in the UK finds that a wide variety of degenerative conditions necessitate foot and ankle surgery. They include:

• Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, which can lead to ankle replacement surgery
• Bunions, changes in alignment of the joints at the base of the big toe
• Diabetic ulcers, infected and often life- and limb-threatening wounds resulting from poor circulation
• Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue between the heel and big toe

Additionally, physical injuries, such as fractures and sprains, may require surgery. If neglected, a severe ankle sprain may lead to joint instability, the inability to bear weight and arthritis. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society says that ankle arthrodesis surgery uses grafting materials to strengthen severely injured or malformed ankles, to relieve pain and to promote mobility.

Do you need surgery?

Only your podiatrist at Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in Torrance, San Pedro, and Los Angeles can tell. He or she will examine your foot and how you walk. X-rays and other imaging techniques reveal problems not obvious on visual inspection.

Often, your foot doctor will attempt symptom relief first with conservative measures such as:

• Rest
• Ice
• Elevation
• Compression bandages, soft casts, crutches, canes, and other mobility devices
• Customized shoe inserts (orthotics)
• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Steroidal injections
• A change in footwear

If ineffective, however, surgery may be in order. Thankfully, the professional staff at Precision Foot and Ankle Centers are well-qualified in many of today's most effective and least invasive lower extremity operations, including innovative endoscopy surgeries.

Concerned about a foot or ankle?

Please don't wait. Contact one of our three convenient Precision Foot and Ankle Centers for a professional consultation. If you do need surgery, you'll be in the best of hands. For an appointment at our Torrance location, phone (310) 791-1092. For San Pedro, call (310) 548-3311, and in Los Angeles, call (213) 747-7272.

It is important to care for your child’s feet from the time they are born and continuing throughout childhood. Children’s feet undergo many changes as they grow, develop, and learn to walk. Taking proper care of their feet can help them avoid certain foot and leg-related problems later in life. At Precision Foot and Ankle Centers, Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alona Kashanian, and Dr. Pooya Lashkari are your Torrance, CA podiatrists for professional foot care when your child needs it.

Caring for Your Child’s Feet

Children’s feet require different care at different stages in life. As an infant, it is important to let your child stretch and kick their feet as they like. Infants feet are extremely flexible and will grow and change shape quickly at this age. Restricting movement or placing strain or pressure on your infant’s feet can alter the shape of their feet and cause problems. Allow your child freedom of movement at this age.

As infants grow into toddlers, they transition into walkers. Allow your child to begin walking when they feel ready rather than pushing them to try before they are ready. As your child is learning to walk, they might walk primarily on their toes or in a pigeon-toed manner. Most children outgrow these habits, so there is usually nothing to worry about. However, if either tendency continues as your child nears school age, consult a Torrance, CA, podiatrist. Continued walking on the toes or with a pigeon-toed gait can be indications of other foot conditions requiring treatment.

As your child continues growing, be sure they wear comfortable shoes that fit properly at every age. Shoes should have sufficient room in the toe box. Toes should not be squished or restricted inside shoes. Shoes should also provide good support for the feet and legs, as well as have sufficient cushioning to absorb the impact of running, jumping, and other types of play. If your child develops flat feet, a podiatrist can prescribe orthotics to provide additional arch support.

Caring for your child’s feet is an important part of helping them grow and develop properly. If you have questions about the development of your child’s feet or the way your child walks, a podiatrist can identify potential concerns and prescribe an appropriate treatment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Feit, Dr. Kashanian, or Dr. Lashkari call Precision Foot and Ankle Centers at one of their three locations. Call (310) 791-1092 for Torrance, CA, (310) 548-3311 for San Pedro, CA, or (213) 747-7272 for Los Angeles, CA.

Although it's not always possible to avoid injuries when you're on the field or court, many sports-related foot and ankle conditions can be prevented with proper care. Dr. Eric Feit and Dr. Alona Kashanian of Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in Torrance, San Pedro and Los Angeles, CA, share a few tips that will help you protect your feet.

Make smart footwear choices

Choosing the right type of shoes for your sport is particularly important. If you participate in two or more sports, don't wear the same shoes to play both sports. For example, running shoes aren't a good choice when you're on the court, even though basketball does involve running. Basketball shoes are designed to support your ankle and foot when you jump or suddenly change direction, unlike running shoes. No matter what your sport or activity, proper footwear can play an important role in helping you avoid injury.

Buy new shoes often

It's also important to replace your shoes often, even if they look perfectly fine. Over time, cushioning flattens the soles of your shoes start to wear down. If you run or participate in another sport regularly, you may need to replace your shoes about every three months.

Don't overdo it

Many painful foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis, retrocalcaneal bursitis, Achilles tendinitis and stress fractures, occur due to overuse injuries. If you're new to a sport or activity, slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workout. Training harder and longer can help you excel at your sport, but may also increase your risk of injury. No matter how long you've been playing a sport or participating in an activity, it's important to keep in mind that gradual changes to your training schedule are much better for your feet than sudden ones.

Visit the foot doctor

If you experience sports-related foot pain that doesn't get better after a week or two of rest, make an appointment with our Torrance, San Pedro or Los Angeles office. Ignoring the symptoms can worsen your injury and lead to chronic pain and complications.

Concerned about foot or ankle pain? Call podiatrists Dr. Feit and Dr. Kashanian of Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in Torrance, San Pedro and Los Angeles, CA

Find out if you could be dealing with a sprain and the best way to treat it if you do.

You were in the heat of the game and didn’t realize right away that your ankle hurt until the adrenaline started to wear off. Now you are worried that you may have sprained your ankle. Did you? Our podiatrists - Dr. Eric Feit and Dr. Alona Kashanian at Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in San Pedro, Los Angeles and Torrance, CA are here to share some of the signs and symptoms that you could just mean that you sprained your ankle.

Symptoms of a sprained ankle include:

• Pain and tenderness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Stiffness and limited range-of-motion

In more serious cases, you may find it difficult or even impossible to put weight on the foot. Of course, these symptoms could also be indicative of many other foot injuries so it’s important that you seek a proper diagnosis from our Torrance foot doctor so that you know how to properly treat your injured foot.

What is a sprained ankle?

Inside the ankle is an array of ligaments that are designed to support the overall structure of your ankle and also connect the leg bones to the foot. If your leg suddenly twists into an unnatural position this can cause the ligaments to overstretch or even tear. Sprained ankles can range from minor overstretching to complete ligament tears.

How is a sprained ankle treated?

In most cases, we may recommend some easy at-home ways to help speed up the healing process and to make sure that everything heals properly. First and foremost, the most important thing is that you give your ankle some rest so that it can heal. The more you stay off the ankle the better. This means avoiding certain activities until we give you the go ahead to return to them.

In the meantime, you will want to elevate the ankle whenever you are resting to reduce swelling. To combat both pain and swelling you can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (we may prescribe a stronger medication for those with more moderate-to-severe sprains). You may also want to wear a supportive brace to provide stability and protection when walking or moving around. In some cases, we may also advice you to use crutches. On average, it will take around six weeks for the ankle to heal.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of a sprained ankle, do not delay. Call Precision Foot and Ankle Centers in San Pedro, Los Angeles and Torrance, CA, today to find out what’s going on. We can get you on the road to recovery in no time.