TREATING FOOT PAIN IN ALPINE SKIERS WITH PES PLANUS

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The foot plays a unique role in downhill skiing. Many of the pathologies suffered by skiers are due to poor fitting shoes or lack of support inside of the boot. Many skiers can benefit from working with an experienced skilled boot fitter in a ski shop. 

However, some conditions may need further investigation for example such as mortons neuroma and arch pain.

Mortons neuroma pain can be reduced by adjusting the boot to reduce medial-lateral compression of the foot inside the boot and produce a foot bed that will help transfer pressure off the ball of the foot. A Chiropodist/Podiatrist however may provide direct treatment of the neuroma through injections or in boot orthosis with met pad.

Plantar Intrinsic Stress Syndrome is also another condition associated with skiing which causes a deep ache that happens only when skiing. Most of the time patients with this complaint have a pes planus foot type. They describe an intense pain when initially starting to ski but will worsen with more intense effort (steeper slopes or more challenging terrains - moguls). Symptoms usually stop when the skiing stops. The pain is most likely due to overwork of the intrinsic muscles of the feet specifically the abductor hallucis muscle - this is known as skiers myalgia. This can also be treated by an orthotic device.


Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News


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PROFESSIONAL FOOT CLINIC

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