We’re in the final stretch of summer. If you’re one of the many people who waited several months just to do your favorite sport or outdoor activities, you’re probably wishing you could extend it or thinking about how to squeeze in your exploits before it ends.
To help you make your end-of-summer activities as enjoyable and safe as can be, here are a few prevention tips from our sports medicine doctors here at Advanced Orthopedic Center in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, Florida.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Getting shoes that are appropriate to your sport or fitness activity and that provide adequate support to your ankle and foot goes a long way toward preventing injuries. Choose shoes that have a light framework but are equipped with superior cushioning. They can lessen the impact of your steps, protect your feet from heavy landings, and fully support your ankle during quick changes in direction.
Stay adequately hydrated.
Adequate hydration is always imperative when engaging in any form of physical activity, be it sports or exercise—all the more so during the summertime. Drinking enough water allows you to replenish the electrolytes you have lost due to excessive sweating. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that your body needs to be able to do much of its work (e.g., contracting your muscles; generating energy; and keeping your cardiac, digestive, and nervous systems in tip-top condition).
Always warm-up.
Doing warm-up exercises helps prepare your body for your physical activity: it slowly revs up your cardiovascular system by elevating your body temperature and promoting blood and oxygen supply to your muscles. It also engages the correct muscle groups, enables them to work efficiently, and reduces muscle soreness, thereby helping minimize your risk of injuries.
Never play through pain.
You may have adopted the warrior mindset, but braving the pain and continuing to participate in any type of physical activity with an injury will only do more harm than good. When you feel pain or suspect that you sustained an injury, stop. Give your body enough time to recover and see one of our sports medicine physicians, especially if you notice the following:
- Pain that is unresponsive to basic remedies, worsening, or lasting more than a week
- Inability to bear weight on your leg
- Swelling
- Reduced function or mobility in any joint
- Joint instability
- Deformity
Treatment for Orthopedic Injuries in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, FL
At Advanced Orthopedic Center, board-certified Orthopedic Surgery sports medicine physicians Dr. Robert Stchur and Dr. Dale Greenberg take great pleasure in not only providing the highest quality of care for our patients who live an active lifestyle but also in teaching them effective strategies that will help them minimize their risk of injuries and achieve their highest potential.
Give us a call at (941) 629-6262 to schedule your appointment with either Dr. Stchur or Dr. Greenberg. You may also use our convenient online request form. We look forward to serving you!
