An update on the role of podiatrists in sports medicine

Authors

  • Michael Promise Ogolodom Department of Radiography, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2038-987X
  • Clement Ugochukwu Nyenke Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Author
  • Sharonrose Ogouchukwu Nwadike Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria. Author
  • Evelyn Orevaoghene Onosakponome Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Author
  • Mark Chukwudi Okeji Department of Medical Radiography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Author
  • Samson Omini Paulinus Department of Radiography and Radiological Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Author
  • Misael Ron Industrial Engineer, Specialist in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, Specialist in Strategic Management, PhD Candidate in Public Health. University of Carabobo, Venezuela. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6797-3235
  • Awajimijan Nathaniel Mbaba Department of Radiology, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Author
  • Sandra Udoh Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria. Author
  • Egop Brownson Egop Department of Radiography, Government House Clinic, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/pod2024106

Keywords:

Podiatry, Footwear modification, Biomechanics, Orthoses, Injury prevention

Abstract

Introduction: sports medicine is certainly the domain of physicians, whereas, there are some places where it is that of nonphysicians. With the general increase in sporting activities there has been an increase in sports injuries, both from acute and from overuse trauma. Podiatry emerges as solution for athletes and sports players. The objective was to characterize the role of podiatrists in sports medicine.

Methods: a literature review was conducted, where 19 articles in English and Spanish were selected, published in the last five years on the subject, in databases such as: Scopus, PubMed, Researchgate, Springer.

Results: podiatry has its peak in this area when sports lesions were addressed not only preventively but also via biomechanical methods. The physician recognizing and addressing the biomechanical abnormality may potentially prevent an injury that could have led to a subsequently missed competition. The role of prevention in athletes is centered on a comprehensive biomechanical examination combined with an understanding of the risk factors for common overuse or traumatic injuries. The fit feet exam is a screening of the lower extremities of Olympics athletes. It includes musculoskeletal, dermatological and biomechanics evaluations.

Conclusions: the evaluation of an athlete finds it base in a deep understanding of the feet biomechanics. Physical examination allows to recognize the patient´s needs and identify possible pathologies. The treatment includes conservative and non-conservative indications, most popular are medication, footwear modifications and orthoses.

References

1. Jenkins D. The Podiatrist as a Member of the Sports Medicine Team. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 2015;32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpm.2014.11.001.

2. Kannus VP. Evaluation of abnormal biomechanics of the foot and ankle in athletes. Br J Sports Med 1992;26:83–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.26.2.83.

3. Williams CM, Penkala S, Smith P, Haines T, Bowles K-A. Exploring musculoskeletal injuries in the podiatry profession: an international cross sectional study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2017;10:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-016-0185-y.

4. Jenkins DW, Cooper K, O’Connor R, Watanabe L, Wills C. Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: Structural, biomechanical and dermatological findings. The Foot 2011;21:15–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2010.10.004.

5. Becker J, James S, Wayner R, Osternig L, Chou L-S. Biomechanical Factors Associated With Achilles Tendinopathy and Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome in Runners. Am J Sports Med 2017;45:2614–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546517708193.

6. Faraji E, Daneshmandi H, Atri A, Onvani V, Namjoo F. Effects of Prefabricated Ankle Orthoses on Postural Stability in Basketball Players with Chronic Ankle Instability. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine 2012;3:274–8. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34551.

7. Pucheta-Xolo G, Tegoma-Ruiz VM, Sánchez-Hernández JR, Santiago-Mijangos AD, Chiu-Cruz YS. Loss of sensation and trophic lesions in the feet of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología 2024;4:617. https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt2024617.

8. Tamura A, Shimura K, Inoue Y. Lower-Extremity Kinematics of Soccer Players with Chronic Ankle Instability during Running: A Case-Control Study. Biomechanics 2023;3:93–102. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics3010009.

9. DeHeer PA, Desai A, Altepeter JH. Lower Extremity Biomechanical Examination of Athletes. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 2020;37:171–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpm.2019.08.012.

10. Malisoux L, Delattre N, Urhausen A, Theisen D. Shoe Cushioning Influences the Running Injury Risk According to Body Mass: A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving 848 Recreational Runners. Am J Sports Med 2020;48:473–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546519892578.

11. Xu Y, Yuan P, Wang R, Wang D, Liu J, Zhou H. Effects of Foot Strike Techniques on Running Biomechanics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Health 2021;13:71–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738120934715.

12. Janin M. Correlation between clinical and kinetic testing in sport podiatry. Revista Terapia Manual Posturología 2012;10:7–11.

13. Jarvis HL, Nester CJ, Jones RK, Williams A, Bowden PD. Inter-assessor reliability of practice based biomechanical assessment of the foot and ankle. J Foot Ankle Res 2012;5:14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-5-14.

14. Martiniano J, Roupa I, Lafuente G, Abrantes J. Biomechanics and Clinical Interactions in Podriatry Assesment. British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research 2015;10:1–20. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJMMR/2015/19153.

15. Peterson B, Hawke F, Spink M, Sadler S, Hawes M, Callister R, et al. Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Measurements as Risk Factors for Running-Related Injury in Non-elite Runners: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies. Sports Medicine - Open 2022;8:38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00416-z.

16. Harradine P, Bevan L. A Review of the Theoretical Unified Approach to Podiatric Biomechanics in Relation to Foot Orthoses Therapy. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 2009;99:317–25. https://doi.org/10.7547/0980317.

17. Whittaker GA, Munteanu SE, Menz HB, Tan JM, Rabusin CL, Landorf KB. Foot orthoses for plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2018;52:322. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097355.

18. Rodríguez P, Mamani B. Educational intervention in diabetic older adults of Jujuy. Community and Interculturality in Dialogue 2021;1:2. https://doi.org/10.56294/cid20212.

19. Xu L, Wang Y, Wen X. The role of footwear in improving running economy: a systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled trials. Scientific Reports 2025;15:3963. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88271-2.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-30

Issue

Vol. 3 (2024): Podiatry

Section

Review

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Michael Promise Ogolodom, Clement Ugochukwu Nyenke, Sharonrose Ogouchukwu Nwadike, Evelyn Orevaoghene Onosakponome, Mark Chukwudi Okeji, Samson Omini Paulinus, Misael Ron, Awajimijan Nathaniel Mbaba, Sandra Udoh, Egop Brownson Egop (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.

How to Cite

1.
Promise Ogolodom M, Ugochukwu Nyenke C, Ogouchukwu Nwadike S, Orevaoghene Onosakponome E, Chukwudi Okeji M, Omini Paulinus S, et al. An update on the role of podiatrists in sports medicine. Podiatry (Buenos Aires) [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 30 [cited 2025 Sep. 27];3:106. Available from: https://pod.ageditor.ar/index.php/pod/article/view/106