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Testing for foot conditions may help athletes heal

Updated: 2009-11-09 22:20:03 CST Category: General Health

by Brendan Missett

With the prevalence of foot injuries due to fall sports, officials at the American Pediatric Medical Association (APMA) and American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine are warning athletes of foot-related precautions this autumn.

The health officials say that preventive measures, as simple as stretching before and after exercise, can help athletes avoid the use of splints and orthotics to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis, an injury which results from irritation to tissue on the bottom of the foot.

"Many fall sports athletes look to compete their hardest on the field even after [diagnostic testing] for a foot or ankle injury by a podiatrist or other medical professional," Dr Bruce Williams, former president of the APMA. He added that playing sports with certain foot or ankle injuries can aggravate the ailments and substantially affect the healing process.

Testing, such as physical examinations or X-rays, can help doctors diagnose sprains, broken bones and other setbacks associated with the foot.

According to the National Institutes of Health, bunions, hammer toes, warts and fallen arches are among the most common foot conditions for which patients consult their physician.

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