Podiatric Sports Medicine in Alexandria, VA
Podiatric sports medicine focuses on foot and ankle care that resolves and prevents injuries caused by physical activity. At Landmark Foot & Ankle Center in Alexandria, VA , our podiatrists help athletes and active people of every level recover quickly and get back to the activities they love.
Book OnlineWhat Is Podiatric Sports Medicine?
Podiatric sports medicine is a specialty centered on diagnosing, treating, and preventing foot and ankle injuries. Anyone who leads an active lifestyle has an elevated risk of a sports injury. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit; something as simple as a daily walk or a weekend game can lead to injury. Common lower extremity sports injuries include:
- Ankle sprains
- Stress fractures
- Shin splints
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Muscle strains
- Turf toe and other forefoot injuries
When Should I Seek Treatment for a Sports Injury?
Some minor sprains and strains heal on their own with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Other injuries linger or worsen without treatment. See a specialist if you have:
- Inability to put weight on your foot or ankle
- Significant pain
- Swelling that doesn’t subside
- Bruising
- Changes in the appearance of your foot or ankle
Your feet and ankles perform impressive tasks every day, and injuries here can have lasting effects. It’s never a bad idea to have an injury evaluated by a professional.
Sports Medicine Treatments
Your treatment plan depends on your specific injury, and you receive a full diagnostic workup before any plan is made. Options include:
- A period of rest and activity modification
- Custom orthotics to support your feet and reduce stress
- Bracing or taping for sprains and strains, with instructions for at-home application
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation during physical therapy
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for chronic tendon and heel pain
- Regenerative treatment such as Nano PRP Jelly
- Walking boots or crutches for fractures
When surgery is the best way to address a serious sports injury, our surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures that often heal faster with less tissue disruption than open surgery. Learn more about Dr. Nolte, who has advanced training in complex trauma and reconstructive surgery.
Preventing Sports Injuries
Wear sport-specific footwear, replace worn shoes, warm up and stretch before activity, and increase training intensity gradually. Athletes with flat feet or high arches often benefit from orthotics. Our over-the-counter products can also help. Explore all of our podiatry services.
Sports Medicine FAQs
Do I need to be an athlete to see a sports medicine podiatrist?
No. Anyone with an activity-related foot or ankle injury, from walkers to weekend athletes, can benefit from sports medicine care.
How do I know if my ankle sprain needs treatment?
See a podiatrist if you can’t bear weight, have significant swelling or bruising, or your ankle still hurts after a few days of rest and ice.
What is a stress fracture?
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone caused by repetitive force, common in runners and athletes who increase activity too quickly.
Can custom orthotics prevent sports injuries?
Yes. Orthotics can improve alignment and reduce stress on the feet, lowering the risk of overuse injuries.
How soon can I return to sports after an injury?
It depends on the injury and its severity. Your podiatrist will guide a safe, gradual return to activity.
Do you treat Achilles tendon injuries?
Yes. We treat Achilles tendonitis with stretching, physical therapy, orthotics, shockwave therapy, and surgery when necessary.
Will I need surgery for a sports injury?
Most sports injuries heal with conservative care. Minimally invasive surgery is reserved for serious injuries that need repair.
Get Back in the Game
Recover faster and prevent future injuries. Call (703) 370-2313 or request an appointment online with Landmark Foot & Ankle Center in Alexandria, VA .
