Sports Medicine

Foot or ankle pain can affect your athletic performance, but sports medicine provides lasting relief. At Go Feet in Linwood and Mays Landing, New Jersey, board-certified podiatrist Stuart W. Honick, DPM, PT, offers sports medicine services to teens and adults, including treatment of plantar fasciitis and Multiwave Locked System® (MLS) laser therapy. Call the nearest Go Feet office today to schedule treatment for an ankle sprain or other sports injury, or book your appointment online. 

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a podiatry subspecialty focused on preventing and treating activity-related injuries.

Your feet and ankles contain dozens of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. These tissues assist you with basic movements and support the weight of your upper body, but they’re susceptible to injury. 

A sports medicine program at Go Feet helps speed up your body’s healing process and educates you about the importance of injury prevention. 

What conditions does sports medicine treat?

At Go Feet, Dr. Honick uses sports medicine to treat various conditions affecting the feet and ankles, including:

• Swollen muscles
• Strains
• Ankle sprains
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Tendinitis
• Fractures
• Dislocations

Sports medicine treats overuse injuries, including bone spurs and plantar fasciitis. 

Why should I visit a podiatrist for sports medicine?

Sports medicine podiatrists like Dr. Honick are experts in body mechanics and physical activity. Specialized training equips him to diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems in athletes and other active people.

What’s more, he emphasizes noninvasive and conservative care, allowing for quicker recovery and fewer complications.

What happens during a sports medicine appointment?

Dr. Honick reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a podiatry exam. He checks your foot and ankle for bruising or swelling and assesses your tendon reflexes, muscle strength, and flexibility. 

If these tests don’t provide enough insight into your condition, Dr. Honick orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI. These procedures capture photos of your bones, joints, and soft tissues, allowing him to pinpoint fractures or other, more serious injuries. 

How are sports injuries treated?

Treatment for sports injuries depends on your symptoms and their effect on your daily routine. At Go Feet, Dr. Honick takes a conservative and minimally invasive approach. He might recommend:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Pain medication
• Ultrasound therapy
• MLS laser therapy
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Kinesio taping
• Assistive devices, like crutches or a cane

If your symptoms continue or worsen after these treatments, you might qualify for minimally invasive surgery. During surgery, Dr. Honick uses small surgical instruments to remove diseased or damaged tissue and make repairs. 

Call the nearest Go Feet office today to schedule a sports medicine appointment, or book your visit online.