Play ball! The Major League Baseball season kicked off unofficially about two weeks ago with the beginning of spring training. The Mets fans in the area are hoping their team can return to the World Series like it did in 2015, while Yankees fans will be satisfied with a playoff berth. This means that soon, baseball diamonds in parks all across Onondaga County will be filled with players of all ages.

Baseball includes many motions that could lead to a foot or ankle injury, like stealing a base, sliding into home plate, or diving to make a catch. Therefore, fully stretching the lower legs and ankles is crucial to prevent an injury. The following are some of the more common injuries suffered by baseball players:

• Achilles tendonitis, which is when the Achilles tendon stretching from the calf to the heel becomes inflamed due to overuse, stress, or injury.
• Plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the fibrous tissue that runs along the arch of the foot and connect the heel to the ball of the foot.
• Shin splits, which occurs when the muscles or tendons surrounding the leg bone become inflamed or irritated.
• Ankle sprains, which occur when the ligaments surrounding the ankle stretch or tear.

In addition to stretching, wearing the proper footwear is absolutely necessary to properly support the feet and ankles. Baseball cleats provide traction while running on the dirt or grass. They should provide plenty of room around the toe, while still being snug around the heel and on the sides of the feet. They should be reassessed frequently to make sure they are not too tight.

With sports season right around the corner, you want to spend more time on the field and less time on the bench. For all of your sports injury concerns, come to board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico of Syracuse Podiatry. If necessary, Dr. D’Amico even specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, feel free to contact our Fayetteville office at (315) 446-3668!