If you are athletically active, you may find that you are at a higher risk of suffering a potentially serious ankle or foot injury. When one of these injuries occurs, you may find yourself facing intense pain, reduced mobility and a variety of other uncomfortable problems. In order to help you to avoid the worst consequences of ankle and foot injuries, there are several guidelines that you should make it a point to follow.

Ensure You Are Wearing Shoes That Provide Sufficient Support

One of the most important factors in helping you to reduce your risk of suffering a foot or ankle injury is to invest in high-quality shoes that properly fit your feet. When you wear ill-fitting shoes, the weight of your body and the force of the impacts that your feet experience can be unevenly distributed. This can increase the strain on your feet and ankles, which can greatly increase the risk of suffering an acute or repetitive stress injury.

Thoroughly Stretch Your Leg Muscles Prior To Starting Your Activities

Prior to starting any exercise activity, it is important for you to take the time to thoroughly stretch your legs and ankles. When you fail to properly stretch, your muscles and joints may be too stiff for the type of quick responses that will be needed while you are exercising or engaging in your sport. Unfortunately, there are many individuals that will simply fail to stretch their ankles during this time. To stretch your ankles and lower leg muscles, you should use your ankle to rotate your feet in a circular motion while holding your leg still. By taking a few moments to thoroughly stretch and warm up your muscles, you will find that your risk of suffering these problems will be greatly reduced.

Be Aware Of The Warning Signs Of Mild Foot And Ankle Problems

Many of the problems that a person's ankle and feet may experience will develop in a fairly slow and gradual way. For those that are mindful of the warning signs of suffering these injuries, it is possible to seek treatment before the damage to the ankle or foot becomes extensive. In particular, if you notice that your ankles or feet are swelling, experiencing general soreness or developing bruises after you exercise, it may be worthwhile to have them inspected. Early diagnosis might allow you to correct these problems by making fairly minor adjustments, such as wearing supportive inserts or investing in a different type of shoe.

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