Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine in Maryland and Washington, DC
Foot and ankle care for active people, from everyday exercise to organized sports.
Care for the way you move
You do not need to be a competitive athlete to ask for help with activity-related foot pain.
Concerns we can discuss
Capital Foot Care provides sports-related foot care, assessment and prevention advice.
Sports-related injuries
Pain, swelling or instability after a twist or a change in training deserves attention. An assessment helps distinguish a sprain from other injuries.
Heel and arch pain
Plantar fasciitis can cause pain beneath the heel, especially with the first steps after rest. Other problems can feel similar, so avoid self-diagnosis.
Footwear and support
Capital Foot Care offers footwear advice and custom orthotics. Discuss whether additional support is appropriate for your symptoms and the activities you enjoy.
Bunions and hammertoes
Toe shape and shoe pressure can make activity uncomfortable. Explain where shoes rub and how the discomfort affects walking, exercise or your usual sport.
Athlete’s foot
Itching, burning or cracked skin between the toes may be a fungal infection. A clinician can help clarify the cause and discuss treatment when needed.
Prevention and follow-up
Addressing pain early and understanding the next step can help you make informed activity choices. Bring questions about footwear, recurring symptoms and returning to exercise.
Start with your symptoms and goals
Explain what changed
Tell your clinician when pain began, whether there was an injury, and which activities bring it on. Mention recent changes in training, surfaces or shoes.
Discuss an assessment
Your history and a foot and ankle examination help guide decisions. Ask whether further evaluation is needed before returning to high-impact activity.
Understand your plan
Discuss care options, footwear and any recommended follow-up. Ask what activities to avoid and how you will know when to progress.
Foot care between activities
Small, consistent habits can make exercise more comfortable.
Choose shoes for the activity
Running, court sports and walking place different demands on footwear. Try on both shoes with the socks you normally wear, check for toe room and a secure heel, and walk around to assess comfort.
Increase training gradually
A sudden increase in running distance, intensity or frequency can contribute to overuse injuries. Allow recovery time and discuss persistent pain before continuing to increase your workload.
Keep skin clean and dry
Change into clean socks and dry your feet carefully, including between the toes. Use protective footwear in communal showers rather than walking barefoot on damp locker-room floors.
Pay attention to recurring pain
A sore spot that returns during weight-bearing activity is worth evaluating. Stress fractures can develop gradually; continuing high-impact activity or returning too soon can make the problem worse.
Sports medicine questions
Practical answers to help you prepare for a visit.
Is this only for runners or team athletes?
No. CFC’s sports medicine service addresses foot concerns in physically active people. Walking for exercise, recreational sports and other activities can bring up questions about pain, shoe pressure or support. Tell us what you want to get back to doing.
Why does my heel hurt when I first get up?
Plantar fasciitis is one possible explanation for pain under the heel after rest. The plantar fascia supports the arch and can become irritated. Heel pain also has other causes. An examination helps identify the problem and guide appropriate care.
Can I keep exercising if the pain is mild?
Do not assume mild pain rules out an injury. Bone stress injuries often start gradually and worsen with activity. Pause the activity that provokes pain and ask for guidance. Your clinician can advise whether a different activity is appropriate during assessment or recovery.
Will I need orthotics?
Custom orthotics are among the services listed by CFC, but they are not an automatic recommendation for everyone. Ask how a proposed support would address your concern and fit your footwear. The choice should reflect your individual assessment and needs.
When can I return to my sport?
There is no single recovery timetable for every injury. Return depends on the diagnosis, healing, symptoms and function. After an ankle sprain, strength and balance work may be important; resuming sport before adequate recovery can contribute to another sprain. Follow your clinician’s progression advice.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring the shoes you use for the activity, any inserts or orthotics, and details of when symptoms began. List your usual training and recent changes. A short record of where pain occurs and what makes it better or worse can help focus the discussion.
Find a Capital Foot Care location
The practice serves patients in Maryland and Washington, DC. Use the Locations page to choose an office and contact the team about sports medicine availability for your specific concern.