Foot and ankle injuries can sideline competitive athletes and weekend warriors alike. Allyson Otten, DPM, at Kettle Moraine Podiatry in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, offers comprehensive sports medicine care for active patients of all ages and skill levels. Dr. Otten diagnoses sports-related foot and ankle injuries, guides you through a safe recovery, and helps you prevent future setbacks. Call today or schedule an appointment online to book a sports medicine consultation.

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries that come from physical activity. In podiatry, sports medicine targets conditions that affect the feet and ankles, which absorb a lot of impact during running, jumping, cutting, and other athletic movements.

Dr. Otten treats athletes across a wide range of sports, including runners, soccer players, basketball players, dancers, golfers, and recreational athletes. She also works with patients who stay active through hiking, walking, or fitness classes and want to keep moving without pain.

What conditions does sports medicine treat?

Foot and ankle injuries account for many sports-related visits. Dr. Otten regularly treats:

• Ankle sprains and strains
• Achilles tendinitis and ruptures
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Stress fractures
• Turf toe and other toe injuries
• Shin splints
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Overuse injuries from training
• Sports-related fractures

Some injuries strike suddenly after a fall, twist, or impact, while others build up over time from repetitive stress. 

What treatments are part of sports medicine?

Dr. Otten tailors treatment to the type and severity of your injury, your activity level, and your goals for getting back to your sport. Common sports medicine treatments include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) protocols
• Bracing, taping, or immobilization
• Physical therapy 
• Custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues
• Corticosteroid injections for inflammation
• Footwear recommendations
• Stretching and strengthening programs
• Surgical intervention when conservative treatments fall short

Dr. Otten focuses on getting you back to activity as safely and quickly as possible while reducing your risk of reinjury.

How can sports medicine help prevent future injuries?

Prevention is a major part of sports medicine. Dr. Otten evaluates your gait, foot structure, training habits, and footwear to identify factors that may put you at risk. From there, she recommends adjustments to your routine, supportive equipment, or strengthening exercises to keep you on your feet.

Many sports injuries trace back to small imbalances or habits that build up over time, like running in worn-out shoes or ramping up training intensity too quickly. Dr. Otten helps you recognize these patterns before they turn into bigger problems. She also works with athletes returning from an injury to design a safe progression back to full activity.

For patients with recurring issues, custom orthotics, taping techniques, and targeted strengthening can address the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Call Kettle Moraine Podiatry today or book online to schedule your sports medicine appointment.