Play It Safe with Today's Podiatrist

Playing sports is a great way to exercise, spend time with friends and family, and develop team-building skills. But did you know that ankle sprains and breaks are among the most common sports injuries for both adults and children?

Luckily, today's podiatrists are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the complex structure of the foot and ankle, based on their education, training, and experience. They can diagnose and treat sports injuries affecting the lower extremities, provide guidance on proper athletic footwear, prescribe custom orthotics, and evaluate biomechanics.

Learn more about staying active and healthy with APMA's new "Play It Safe" campaign. A suite of patient education materials are available, including a poster, customizable newsletter, videos, and even a Pinterest board of athletic products that have earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

To learn more about foot health and sports, or if or your child is experiencing foot pain, find a podiatrist near you!

For Patients:

• An Overview
  Learn about sprains, strains, and fractures; heel pain; athlete's foot; tendinitis; and shoe inserts.
• Play It Safe
  This colorful poster helps identify what to look for when purchasing footwear for your sport. It's also available to print as a PDF.
• Which Running Shoe is Right for You?
  This quick guide is helpful for understanding the different foot types. Visit today's podiatrist for a thorough evaluation.
• Sports Footwear for Teenagers
  This overview includes a PDF tip sheet you can print and bring with you shoe shopping.
• Winter Sports Enthusiasts
  Skiers, snowboarders, hockey players, and ice skaters should keep these tips in mind.
• Meet Your Feet
  Did you know that when running, you can exert forces up to four times your body weight? Learn more in this fun video!
• Podiatrist-approved Shoes
  View the athletic footwear and products recommended by podiatrists on our APMA Pinterest account.
• Join the Conversation
  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn to hear more about topics related to foot health year-round.

For APMA Members:

• Digital Toolkit
  Contact APMA's Communications Department to request a digital toolkit with customizable campaign materials to use in your state.
• Special Edition Footprints
  Download the new special sports-focused edition of APMA's member-to-patient newsletter.
• Surveys and Studies
  APMA has commissioned several studies related to foot health. Share notable statistics in media interviews and on social media.
• Journal Articles
  Search JAPMA Online for the latest research in podiatric sports medicine.

Additional Resources

• American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics
• STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries
• Johns Hopkins University: Sports Medicine
• Let's Move!

This public education campaign is sponsored in part by