70. Preventing Ankle and Achilles Injuries: Tips from Podiatrist Dr. Stephen Soondar, DPM

In this episode of On Q, Dr. Stephen S. Soondar, a podiatrist at Healthmark Foot and Ankle, discusses the complexities of ankle injuries and Achilles tendon ruptures with hosts Mike Quintans and Rob Rabena. Dr. Soondar highlights the importance of setting realistic recovery expectations for patients, and dives into the best bracing protocols. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking insights into preventing injuries and promoting long-term foot and ankle health.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Dr. Soondar explain the role of ankle support in sports to maximize performance and prevent injuries.
• The essential steps in Achilles tendon injury recovery for areturn to sports.
• Preventive measures to safeguard your ankles from potential injuries and stay in the game.

"I think a lot of it is shoe gear. Making sure you're wearing the appropriate stuff for what you're playing. You're not going for a run in Chuck Taylor's, right? You're not playing basketball with a pair of crocs," - Dr. Stephen Soondar

Dr. Stephen S. Soondar, D.P.M is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. He graduated from Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine and has been published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Soondar specializes in Lower Extremity Trauma, Charcot Foot Reconstruction, Limb Salvage, and Ankle Arthroscopy as well as the comprehensive scope of Forefoot and Rearfoot medicine. He is a member of the Visitor’s and Founder’s boards at Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more about Dr.Soondar here.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:04 - Introduction to the Podcast

00:00:28 - Introduction of Dr. Stephen Sundar

00:04:20 - Mechanism of High Ankle Sprains

00:09:30 - Treatment and Recovery

00:10:18 - Ankle Braces and Orthosis

00:11:44 - The Ineffectiveness of Ankle Braces and Wraps

00:12:30 - The Benefits of Taping and Bracing

00:15:21 - Common Sports Prone to Ankle Injuries

00:16:10 - Post-injury Brace Recommendation

00:20:59 - Preventative Measures for Ankle Injuries

00:23:03 - Preventing Re-injury and Using Braces

00:25:04 - Mechanism of Achilles Tendon Rupture

00:27:37 - Surgery and Non-weight Bearing Period

00:29:23 - Managing Injuries in Higher-Level Athletes

00:32:58 - Conservative Management and Healing Process

00:34:36 - Surgical Intervention for Achilles Injuries

00:35:00 - Aaron Rogers' Recovery

00:36:01 - Different Repair Techniques

00:37:21 - Recovery Timeline and Long-Term Effects

00:43:01 - Preventative Measures and Strength Training

00:45:50 - Understanding the Causes of Injuries

00:46:50 - Mitigating the Risk of Injuries

00:47:52 - Importance of Stretching

00:48:12 - How to Connect