Whether you regularly lace up or just started an exercise program, it’s important to protect your feet, so you don’t get sidelined by an injury. For more than 30 years, Dr. Joseph G. DiPrima has been the leading foot doctor in Fairport, New York. Dr. DiPrima specializes in everything from sports medicine and diabetic foot problems to foot pain and reconstructive surgery.

To protect your feet from corns, calluses, blisters, and injuries, Dr. DiPrima recommends taking some precautions while playing sports.

• Choose The Right Shoe: Don’t always select the cheapest shoe. If you play sports or exercise regularly, invest in a high-quality pair of sneakers. Look for a shoe with a flexible toe bed, a strong heel counter, and arch support. If you have flat feet or weak or pronating ankles, ask the shoe salesperson to suggest styles addressing these biomechanical issues. A cross-trainer shoe will be good for most athletic activities. Always replace your athletic shoes when the tread wears out or the heels wear down.

• Swap Your Socks: If you’re wearing the wrong socks, you’ll increase your risk of foot problems. When moisture builds up on the skin, you are more likely to get blisters, foot odor, skin fungus, and fungus of the nails. Dr. DiPrima suggests a sock that is made from fabric designed to wick away moisture.

• Gradually Progress: One of the best ways to prevent problems is to condition your muscles for the sport, especially if you are new to the sport or the exercise program. The foot doctor recommends you gradually increase the amount of time spent on the activity over a few weeks to build muscle strength and mobility. This helps prevent blisters, corns, and ingrown toenails, as well as more serious problems, such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and tendonitis.

In addition to these tips, check your feet for corns and calloused skin, soak your feet in warm water, and use foot files and pumice stones to smooth and soften your skin when necessary. Dr. DiPrima also recommends using medicated foot sprays designed to kill athlete's foot fungus after showering in public facilities and applying moisturizer before going to bed. 

For more information about sports medicine, visit the Dr. Joseph G. DiPrima website, or call the best foot doctor in Fairport, New York, at (585) 249-0020.