In the past few weeks Jeremy Lin has been on the most talk about topic in sport world.  Lin has rejuvenated NY Knicks and inspired millions of young asian americans and americans about the sport.  Basketball becomes more of today exploited sport game in the world.  With that we still have to be minded about the essential elements of the sport that involved with running, jumping, shooting and dashing on the unforgiven hardwood floor.  The tremenous pressure on the feet can develops injuries to the youths and inexperienced players.  Below is the article from American Podiatric Medical Association Foot Health, which could help and educate us about caring for our feet.  Remember a healthy pair of feet will last a life time!

Tremendous Pressure

In basketball, tremendous pressure is exerted on the foot and ankle. Without proper equipment and preparation, podiatric physicians say, injuries will invariably occur. Two distinct types of injury to the lower extremity can occur in basketball: acute injury from a sudden and forceful blow, or chronic injury, which develops slowly and becomes aggravated over an extended period of time.

Most acute foot and ankle injuries, which occur from landing improperly from a jump or twisting while falling, are accidental and difficult to prevent. The most common acute injuries include ankle sprains, torn ligaments, muscle pulls, tendon ruptures, and fractures.  Chronic, or overuse, injuries can be caused by inadequate warmup, poor conditioning, improper and ill-fitting shoes, worn out shoes, or a biomechanical deformity that causes undue stress on the foot and ankle. Common chronic injuries sustained in basketball include stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, achilles heel, tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, sesamoiditis, and blisters.  Similar injuries, especially ankle inversions and stress fractures, are also seen in another indoor court sport, volleyball. Volleyball is more purely vertical than basketball; there is less running and cutting, but there are more quick-step reactions from a stationary position.  Different playing surfaces can also have an effect on injuries. Indoor wood courts offer the most shock absorption and are considered the safest courts, while outdoor courts of asphalt are more dangerous. Concrete courts are the hardest and most dangerous courts in relation to lower extremity injuries.

Preventing Injuries

Some acute injuries occur following mid-air collisions, erratic lunges for a rebound, or scrambles after a loose ball, and can't be helped, but chronic injuries can be averted with proper conditioning, equipment, and good sense on the court.  Podiatric physicians recommend stretching exercises and gradual warm-up before beginning vigorous play. A separate weight-lifting regimen of both upper and lower body muscles helps minimize the impact of chronic injuries before they happen.  Another means of preventing injuries while playing basketball is a proper shoe. Shoes should be basketball-specific, with lots of ankle support and shock absorption.  Some high-topped shoes offer more ankle support than others and are preferred by many doctors of podiatric medicine. Shoes should fit well and be replaced before the soles become smooth, or before the uppers begin to tear or come apart. A typical basketball shoe should be replaced every two to three months for five days a week worth of play. Acrylic socks should be worn to avoid blistering.  Volleyball-specific shoes should also be worn by devotees to that sport. They are similar to the basketball shoe, but typically are lighter, have less midsole support, and a "tighter" sole more responsive to quick starts and stops.

When the Game's Over

Acute injuries require immediate medical attention. After a bad fall or painful twist, the game's over. When an injury occurs, podiatrists advise, get off the court immediately and apply first aid. The best initial treatment for acute injury is ice, rest, compression, and elevation of the injured extremity. See your podiatric or family physician as soon as possible.  When bothered by a chronic injury, reduce activity level in accordance with the severity of the pain. If nagging pain gets worse in the course of a game, get off the court and apply ice and a compression bandage, and elevate the foot. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen can be taken at proper dosage for temporary pain relief.  If pain does not subside within three to five days, see a podiatrist, who will explore possible causes of the injury. Chronic pain can often be traced to a biomechanical abnormality that is placing undue stress on a particular part of the foot or ankle.  Biomechanical imbalances can be corrected by prescription orthotic devices--specially constructed shoe inserts that redistribute the body's weight evenly on the foot and ankle.  Selective stretching and strengthening programs, shoe modifications, or strapping of the foot and ankle can also correct biomechanical problems. Lower extremity structural problems that often lead to injury include high arches, flat feet, bow legs, and tight calf muscles.

Getting Back on the Court

Basketball is one of the most demanding sports, physically and mentally, and is especially rough on the foot and ankle. Understand that competitive basketball puts the entire body under stress and at risk of injury.  When injury to the foot or ankle does occur in basketball, the injured part must be given time to get over the acute inflammatory phase of healing. Then, adequate support with shoes or splints and/or tape may be necessary.  Finally, and just as important, is the need to strengthen the injured part back to its pre-injury condition. If not, it will remain weak and predispose the athlete to re-injury.

At Feet 'N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A. our podiatric physicians are attentive to your foot problems and concerns.  Contact Us at one of our office locations to schedule for foot and ankle evaluation to either prepare your feet for the game or maintain a health pair of feet for your the sport.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, January 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Drs. Helene T. Nguyen, DPM, Vilayvanh Sysounthone, DPM and Yong J. Zhu, DPM, podiatrists in Hackettstown, NJ, are pleased to announce the recent merging of their Parsippany office with Feet 'N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A. Medical and surgical podiatric services are now available during clinical hours or by appointment at the two New Jersey locations convenient to Essex, Morris, Passaic, Warren and Sussex County residents and businesses.

"With our recent merger, I look forward to providing our patients with superior quality foot and ankle care. Growing the practice and offering an array of services allows us to take foot health to the next level within the New Jersey local communities," said Dr. Helene Nguyen, Parsippany and Hackettstown, NJ podiatrist.
 

View our most recent company news at: at http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-service/258927

If your feet hurt, nothing feels good! And if you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), foot problems often follow. In fact, about 90% of people with RA eventually develop foot or ankle symptoms. One of the best ways to fight back against pain is to keep the joints in your feet active and moving.

From Heel Tap, Toe Tap to Foot Rolls, all to keep your joints moving and maintaining the painfree range of motion.

Click on this link for full article from Health Monitor http://www.healthmonitor.com/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/foot-exercises

At Feet 'N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A. we offer the FDA approved laser treatments to provide effective alternative for many who experience painful joint from degenerative and rheumatic condition.  Contact us today for initial evaluation with all three of our well trained podiatric physicians. 

FOOTPRINTS - An informative newsletter to patients from APMA Podiatrist. 

This 2011 Fall edition discusses about The Pursuit of Health, Happiness, and Sports Injuries.

With the weather is changing to cooler climate, Fall season could be a perfect time of the year for outdoor activities.  Whether you are skilled, an amateur or just want to be active with all these activities, a proper training and warm up would be beneficial to prevent any injury.

All types of sports and exercise related injuries most commonly seen be a podiatric physician are ankle sprain, muscle strain, tendinitis, heel pain (plantar fasciitis), stress fracture, etc…

Precautions should be taken to prevent these injuries.  Whether an injury is acute or chronic, there is NEVER a good reason to endure through the pain of an injury.  Remember having pain on your feet or ankle is not normal.  STOP and GET IT CHECKED.

Link to FOOTPRINTS FALL EDITION - Click here

Plantar warts are benign growths that develop on the bottom of your feet caused by direct contact with the human papilloma virus (HPV) -- the same virus that causes warts on other areas of the body. Some people are more susceptible than others to HPV, and not everyone will develop plantar warts if they come into contact with the virus. Individuals with weak immune systems or damaged skin on the feet are at a higher risk for plantar warts.

Plantar warts most often develop on the weight-bearing areas of the foot -- the heel or the ball of the foot -- causing sharp, burning pain. They can appear as a single wart (solitary) or a cluster of warts (mosaic). Common symptoms may include:

• Pain or discomfort when walking or standing
• Thick, scaly skin that often resembles a callus
• Hard, flat growths with well-defined boundaries
• Tiny black specks (clotted blood vessels) that often appear on the surface of the wart

Most warts disappear with home care and do not require medical treatment. You can take steps to prevent and treat plantar warts, which include:

• Changing your shoes and socks daily
• Keeping your feet clean and dry
• Avoid picking at warts as the virus may spread
• Avoid direct contact with an individual who has plantar warts
• Checking your child's feet periodically
• Refrain from walking barefoot, especially in public areas like showers, swimming pools and locker rooms
• Never ignore skin growths or changes in your skin

You should always seek care from a podiatrist when warts interfere with your daily life, aren't responding to home treatments, or if you have circulatory disorders. Contact Feet N Beyond if your warts:

• Change color or shape
• Cause unbearable pain and discomfort
• Interfere with activities
• Multiply or reappear

Without treatment, plantar warts can grow, spread and prompt new warts to grow as fast as the old ones disappear. If you can't confidently identify a growth on your foot, visit Feet N Beyond to ensure a correct diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment from our Hackettstown office can decrease the risk of the wart spreading and multiplying.