From Little Leagues through the Major Leagues – baseball and softball players put a lot of strain on their feet and ankles. Ankle sprains are a common baseball injury that can occur when players run the bases and step on or slide into the base. Should a sprain occur, the RICE principle (listed below) should be followed.
Rest- Rest your ankle. Don’t walk on it.
Ice- Ice should be immediately applied. It can keep the swelling down and should be kept on the area for 20 to 30 minutes, three or four times a day.
Compression- Wrap and immobilize the ankle to help keep swelling down.
Elevate- Elevate the ankle above heart level as much as possible for up to two days.
Follow up with a podiatrist to help fully evaluate the extent of your injury. You could have possible injuries to tendons that will not properly heal unless a treatment plan is followed, which could lead to chronic instability and recurrent sprains.
The ankle is not the only area of concern for baseball injuries. Overexertion and excessive training can cause Achilles tendonitis or heel pain in a player. Gentle, regular stretching of the calf muscles before, during, and after a game can help minimize aggravation in the Achilles tendon and overall pain and tightness in the calf. The often abrupt starting and stopping in baseball is usually the culprit.
One of the main things to remember is to wear proper footwear for the sport you are playing. In baseball and softball, that means wearing cleats, spikes, or sneakers.
Cleats should only be worn on the field, and should be introduced gradually to baseball and softball players so that they can get a feel for them and how they differ from other athletic footwear when practicing or playing the game. Cleats certainly will help improve traction; however they can leave ankles more susceptible to twists and turns.
Spikes are made to be a lighter, more flexible alternative to cleats. They engage with the ground in a different way than cleats do, and should also be introduced gradually.
Sneakers are appropriate footwear for many who only play recreationally or those children under 10 years who aren’t yet ready for cleats.
Irritation, redness, or blisters experienced after wearing cleats could be a warning sign of a biomechanical problem in the player’s legs or feet. No matter the footwear selection, if pain is experienced during play it should be addressed immediately. Call Community Foot Specialists to schedule an appointment.
Rest- Rest your ankle. Don’t walk on it.
Ice- Ice should be immediately applied. It can keep the swelling down and should be kept on the area for 20 to 30 minutes, three or four times a day.
Compression- Wrap and immobilize the ankle to help keep swelling down.
Elevate- Elevate the ankle above heart level as much as possible for up to two days.
Follow up with a podiatrist to help fully evaluate the extent of your injury. You could have possible injuries to tendons that will not properly heal unless a treatment plan is followed, which could lead to chronic instability and recurrent sprains.
The ankle is not the only area of concern for baseball injuries. Overexertion and excessive training can cause Achilles tendonitis or heel pain in a player. Gentle, regular stretching of the calf muscles before, during, and after a game can help minimize aggravation in the Achilles tendon and overall pain and tightness in the calf. The often abrupt starting and stopping in baseball is usually the culprit.
One of the main things to remember is to wear proper footwear for the sport you are playing. In baseball and softball, that means wearing cleats, spikes, or sneakers.
Cleats should only be worn on the field, and should be introduced gradually to baseball and softball players so that they can get a feel for them and how they differ from other athletic footwear when practicing or playing the game. Cleats certainly will help improve traction; however they can leave ankles more susceptible to twists and turns.
Spikes are made to be a lighter, more flexible alternative to cleats. They engage with the ground in a different way than cleats do, and should also be introduced gradually.
Sneakers are appropriate footwear for many who only play recreationally or those children under 10 years who aren’t yet ready for cleats.
Irritation, redness, or blisters experienced after wearing cleats could be a warning sign of a biomechanical problem in the player’s legs or feet. No matter the footwear selection, if pain is experienced during play it should be addressed immediately. Call Community Foot Specialists to schedule an appointment.
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