“No running by the pool!” Running and slick, wet surfaces don’t go together. Many falls that cause breaks and fractures occur outside of the pool. Keep the racing and playing to inside the water. Read on to learn more about common injuries that can happen to swimmers.
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury among swimmers due to the repetitive motion ankles endure while swimming. Ankle pain in general is also complained about in the swimming circle. Avoid stiffly pointing your toes, use your hips and bend your knees to prevent improper straining of the ankle and tendons. Proper stretching before and after swimming, along with keeping your calf and leg muscles strong are great tips to prevent these injuries. One last suggestion to prevent foot and ankle injuries when swimming is to wear supportive shoes when you aren’t in the pool. Ensure your feet have what they need during all other hours of the day so when they are working at their limit in the pool, it won’t be too much of a strain on them.
Other issues swimmers need to look out for and take measures to prevent are fungal infections (Athlete’s foot), nail fungus, and warts. These often occur from exposure to public areas such as locker rooms, showers, and surfaces by the poolside. Wear non-slip water shoes when you are able or socks and shoes when it’s not a wet surface.
If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles due to a swimming injury, contact us today! At Howard County Foot and Ankle, we treat everything from warts and ingrown toenails to flatfeet and heel pain. Many people come to us for diabetic foot care or simply because they have foot pain or ankle pain and don’t know the cause of it. We handle emergencies such as fractures and infections as well. Dr. Bui performs a wide variety of surgeries and specializes in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. You won’t find a better foot doctor than our highly skilled and highly qualified, Dr. Christina Bui! Call or email us to ask any questions you might have. We would love to be your go-to Podiatrist!
