1. Sports Medicine and Your Feet
Doctor’s Name
Name of Practice
City, State, Location

2. Benefits of Exercise Cardiovascular Health Mental Health
Overall Health
Disease Prevention
Management of Diseases
(Diabetes and Obesity

3. Did you Know? Every minute of walking adds two minutes to your life
It is never too early or late to make exercise a healthy habit in your life
Studies show that older people who continue to have active lifestyles, experience less health problems as they age.
According to the U.S. Health and Human Service, physical inactivity contributes to 300,000 preventable deaths each year in the Unites States.

4. Anatomy of the Foot
Foot structure and function often impacts the ankles, knees, hips and back. Your foot has:
26 Bones
33 Joints
Over 100 Ligaments

5. The Impact Factors
Walking = 1 ½ times body weight of force transmitted to the feet
Running/Jogging = 3-4 times body weight of force
Impact Sports (Basketball, Tennis, Racquetball) = up to 8 time body weight of force

6. Prevention of Injuries
Proper Conditioning
Stretching – Recommendations can be made by your podiatrist
Warm-up
Physician clearance and monitoring – Before beginning any new exercise
program, please consult
your doctor

7. Prevention of Injuries
Proper Training
Cross-Training
Graduated Levels of Activity

8. Prevention of Injuries
Proper Foot Gear Evaluation
Appropriate and sports-specific shoes
Good socks
Orthotics or insoles – Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best option

9. Shoe Selection Proper Fit Proper Style
1 thumb nail length at the end of the longest toe
(approx. ½ to ¾ inch)
Fit to the larger foot
Fit in the afternoon
Proper last – shape of the shoe should match the shape of the foot
Proper Style
Walking/Running/Cross Training/Specialty
Motion control, stability, shock absorption
Material selections (leather, neoprene, nylon)
With or without Orthotics/Insoles?

10. Common Sports Related Foot & Ankle Injuries
Skin Problems
Blisters
Athlete’s Foot
Warts
Excessive moisture/sweating

11. Common Sports Related Foot & Ankle Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries
Ankle sprains
Muscle strains
Tendonitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Nail injuries
Runner’s knee
Shin splints

12. Common Sports Related Foot & Ankle Injuries
Bone Injuries
Stress fractures
Traumatic fractures

13. Common Sports Related Foot & Ankle Injuries
Treatment of Injuries
Prevention
Protection
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
See your Podiatric Physician –
Podiatrists treat all acute and chronic injuries

14. Training and Education of a DPM
4 years of undergraduate “pre-med” education
4 years of medical school at one of the 9 US Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
3 years of Medical and Surgical Residency Training in the US
Do you know a student interested in a career in healthcare?
Encourage them to check out careers in podiatric medicine by visiting We offer opportunities to shadow a DPM, learn what the pre-requisites are for a college of podiatric medicine, more about the MCAT test and how to apply.
Thanks for taking the time to remind your audience of careers in podiatric medicine. When introducing yourself, if appropriate for your talk, take a moment to share with the audience your “path to podiatry.” You can use statements like “I discovered podiatric medicine when…” or “I chose podiatry because…” Your stories are compelling and could be the reason a young person decides to learn more about careers in podiatric medicine.
There are many resources available online to help connect an interested audience member with career awareness information:
AACPM.org --- General career information, Admission information, Links to the Colleges
DPMNetwork.org – Find a DPM to shadow (Are you a registered Mentor? Links to register for DPMS, too!) Students as young as high school students are welcome to use the Network to locate a DPM to shadow.
DiscoverPodiatricMedicine.org – Learn more about careers in podiatric medicine and join the mailing list for more info (students only please)

15. Your Name or Practice Name
Hospital Affiliations: (list)
Insurance(s) Accepted: (list)
Name of contact person: (staff in your office)
Phone number, fax number, website
Member of the APMA since _________