Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy
Quick Answer
Sports Physicals and Foot Ankle Clearance: What Podiatrists relates to foot pain — typically caused by overuse, footwear, or biomechanics. Most patients improve in 6-12 weeks with conservative care. Same-week appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Twp: (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
While sports physicals focus primarily on cardiovascular and general health screening, foot and ankle evaluation is an essential — and often overlooked — component for athletes participating in high-impact and court sports. Identifying biomechanical risk factors, structural abnormalities, and prior injury sequelae before the season begins can prevent in-season injuries and optimize performance.
Why Foot and Ankle Evaluation Matters for Athletes
The foot and ankle represent the interface between the athlete and the ground — absorbing impact forces up to 3–5 times body weight during running and jumping, and transmitting force into the kinetic chain. Biomechanical abnormalities at this interface propagate up the chain: excessive pronation contributes to shin splints, patellofemoral pain, and hip stress fractures; cavovarus foot is associated with ankle instability and stress fractures; and Achilles tightness is a risk factor for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and knee pain.
History: Prior Injuries and Current Symptoms
A thorough history identifies prior ankle sprains (frequency, severity, rehabilitation completion, current instability symptoms), stress fractures (location, time to healing, return-to-sport timeline), Achilles or plantar fascia problems, and any current foot or ankle pain. Athletes with a history of multiple ankle sprains who have not completed formal proprioceptive rehabilitation are at high risk for recurrent instability — a modifiable risk factor.
Family history of stress fractures, scoliosis, or cavovarus deformity informs genetic predisposition. Female athletes should be screened for the female athlete triad components (disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, low bone density) given the strong association with stress fractures.
Physical Examination Components
Structural assessment: foot type (planus/neutral/cavus), arch flexibility, hallux valgus, lesser toe deformities, and skin/nail abnormalities. Range of motion: ankle dorsiflexion (normal ≥10° with knee extended, ≥20° with knee flexed), subtalar inversion and eversion, first MTP extension. Flexibility testing: Silfverskiold test for isolated gastrocnemius tightness vs. combined gastrocnemius-soleus tightness (important for Achilles injury risk stratification).
Stability examination: anterior drawer test (ATFL) and talar tilt test (CFL) for ankle instability, peroneal tendon subluxation assessment with active eversion. Single-leg balance (Y-balance test) provides a quantitative measure of dynamic ankle stability and has been validated as a predictor of lower-extremity injury risk in prospective studies. Deficits of >4 cm between limbs on the Y-balance test predict significantly elevated injury risk in the subsequent season.
Footwear and Equipment Assessment
Shoe age and wear pattern assessment provides insight into gait mechanics and identifies equipment-related injury risks. Medial wear at the heel and forefoot confirms excessive pronation. Lateral heel wear with a worn lateral forefoot suggests supination or cavovarus. Shoes worn beyond their cushioning life (typically 300–500 miles of running) lose shock absorption properties that protect bones and joints. Cleated footwear should be assessed for appropriate fit — a common cause of ingrown toenails and nail trauma in soccer and football players.
Sport-Specific Risk Assessment
Risk profiles differ by sport. Distance runners are at highest risk for plantar fasciitis, metatarsal stress fractures, and Achilles tendinopathy from repetitive loading — biomechanical risk factors are particularly important to identify. Basketball and soccer players are at highest risk for ankle sprains — proprioception and prior instability history are key. Dancers and gymnasts are at risk for posterior ankle impingement (os trigonum), stress fractures of the second metatarsal, and sesamoid problems from repetitive plantarflexion loading.
At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Biernacki provides pre-season foot and ankle evaluations for competitive and recreational athletes at both Bloomfield Hills and Howell offices, identifying risk factors and providing custom orthotics, bracing recommendations, and rehabilitation referrals when indicated. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule a pre-season sports evaluation.
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Howell, MI 48843
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Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
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Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
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When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Pros & Cons of Conservative Care for foot care
Advantages
- ✓ Conservative care first
- ✓ Same-week appointments
- ✓ Multiple insurance accepted
Considerations
- ✗ Self-treatment can mask issues
- ✗ See a podiatrist if pain >2 weeks
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care
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Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick
Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels
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About Your Care Team at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Specializes in conservative-first care, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM · Accepting new patients. Specializes in sports medicine, athletic injuries, and routine podiatric care.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS · Accepting new patients. Specializes in surgical reconstruction and pediatric podiatry.
Locations: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 · 43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208, Bloomfield Twp, MI 48302
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · (810) 206-1402
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)
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