Importance of Shin Guards

Have you ever been kicked directly in the shin before? It is by no means fun, which is why athletes in high-impact sports are required to wear shin guards. Soccer and football players wear special padding on their shins to protect themselves from scrapes, breaks, and tears. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates believe in safety over anything else when it comes to playing a sport. Of course, winning a game is important, but it doesn’t do your team any good if you need to be taken out of the game due to an injury!

Shin guards are especially important in youth sports. Since the kids are still learning the ropes of their favorite sport, accidents can happen. It’s better to be prepared for a player to miss the soccer ball and kick an opposing player in the shin. With protected shins, it’s not really something a kid has to worry about or feel guilty for if they accidentally kicked someone. In truth, shin guards take away that fear of possibly hurting another player, or getting hurt themselves, so that the kids can focus on playing the game they love.

Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you have suffered a shin injury while playing a sport. By assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan, Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates can get you back on the road to recovery. We always recommend preventing these injuries from happening by using the proper safety equipment. 

Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd, #B, in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Jumper’s Knee

Patellar tendonitis, also known as “Jumper’s Knee,” is often suffered by volleyball or tennis players. As the nickname suggests, sports that involve a lot of jumping can cause microscopic tears and degeneration of a player’s knees. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates take pride in educating our athletic patients about the many ways they can prevent injury. Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you suffer from Jumper’s Knee by assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan. It’s best, however, to practice prevention now so that you can keep playing the sport you love!

An athlete can prevent Jumper’s Knee by wearing a knee brace during practices and games. A knee brace assists in stabilizing the joint, supporting the kneecap, and offers the knee added strength. This all decreases the amount of strain the knee goes through to withstand a player’s weight as they land on their feet from a serving position.

You can also prevent Jumper’s Knee by:

- Taking breaks

- Practicing and improving your technique

- Making sure you have all the right gear

- Warming up your body with stretches

- Incorporating strength-building exercises in your routine

- Not playing through the pain, as this will only worsen your condition

Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd, #B, in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.