Exactly 365 days ago you tore an ankle tendon at the first gymnastics meet of the season. Today, you are happy to be back on your feet and to again be competing all four events for the upcoming season. You wish you could thank everyone who had a hand in helping you to get better and to let them know that you will plan to make them proud this season. What could have been your “Achilles Heel” is now what has made you even stronger. You feel like you have gained a richer character, a new and improved attitude, as well as a level of mental toughness you never knew existed.
The foot and ankle problems were difficult to overcome, but a successful surgery made all of the difference. with a combination of laser foot therapy, specialized exercises, and lots of ice and heat, you were able to slowly make the progress that you had hoped for and are ready for the upcoming season.
Are You Looking for a Foot and Ankle Doctor to Help You Recover from an Injury?
Few injuries can stop your athletic dreams more than foot and ankle problems. From volleyball players to football players and from gymnasts to runners, foot and ankle problems can cancel weeks of practice, and months of competition.
Fortunately, many foot problems can be solved. The process of healing foot and ankle problems, though, can take both time and patience. Being impatient and doing too much too some can lead to reinjury and an even longer recovery time. Following the advice of a qualified podiatrist can help you recover from an injury and eliminate the foot pain that has been keeping you from doing what you want to achieve.
Consider some of these facts about foot and ankle usage and problems, as well as the possible treatment options:

• 4000 to 6000 is the average number of steps a day a person takes. In fact, our feet carry us the equivalent of five times around the earth in an average lifetime.
• 75% to 80% of the adult population have some form of foot problem.
• 20% of people think their feet are the most unattractive part of their body, even though the feet are also one of the most useful.
• 52 bones are in a pair of human feet. No wonder it is so easy to injure a foot!
• 20.7 million adults in America, mostly over the age of 45, suffer from osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.
• Women typically experience foot problems four times more often than men.
• 20% to 30% of the world’s population have Morton’s Toe, a foot condition when the second toe is longer than the big toe. In addition to other problems, this condition can make finding comfortable shoes even more difficult.
• 82% of corn and callus problems experienced by Americans are treated by podiatric physicians.
• 65% of toenail problems experienced by Americans are treated by podiatric physicians.
• 63% of bunion problems experienced by Americans are treated by podiatric physicians.
• 46% of flat feet or fallen arches problems experienced by Americans are treated by podiatric physicians.
• 43% of toe and joint deformities and problems experienced by Americans are treated by podiatric physicians.
• 60% of all foot and ankle injuries that are reported by the U.S. population older than 17 are sprains and strains of the ankle.

Whether you are a gymnast working to get yourself back up on the balance beam after an ankle surgery last year or whether you are a pediatric nurse looking for relief from the common problem Morton’s toe, you will likely need to visit a podiatrist at some time. While it may be tempting to take your sports injury to an orthopedic surgeon recommended by other athletes and coaches, most foot or ankle injuries would be better served with an appointment to a podiatric physician.
With knowledge of all of the 52 bones that are located in a pair of feet, these specialists can often provide detailed advice for treatment, for surgery, or for therapy. The use of pain free laser foot therapy, for example, can work with other treatment options to stimulate muscle development and regeneration of damaged or torn ligaments or tendons. What are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you made an appointment?