Risk & Business Magazine Rogers Insurance Spring 2016 | Page 25

Golfing & Running

Make Your Feet An Asset, Not A Liability
BY: DR. ZIV FELDMAN, BSC, DPM, FACFAS | FELDMAN FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALISTS

I

f a short run or round of golf is painful
on the feet, first assess the quality
of your shoes. Any time pain is not
adequately resolved with good, stable golf
or running shoes and is present for more
than one or two rounds or runs, it is time
to visit a podiatrist. They can diagnose
and treat any foot problems and help your
feet become an asset and not a liability.
If bio-mechanical imbalances are present,
these existing stresses will overload
certain structures and predispose the
runner or golfer to overuse ligaments,
tendons, and bone. Orthotics, a custom
shoe insert that is prescribed by a
podiatrist, will equalize the weight load
on the lower extremity and, in essence,
rest the over-used structure.
Most foot problems we see at the clinic are
treated conservatively first by orthotics,
moleskin, callus removal, and most
recently laser technology.
Achilles tendinitis is frequently seen in
both golfers and runners. It is a common
condition that causes pain along the back
of the leg near the heel. The Achilles
tendon is the largest tendon in the body.
It connects your calf muscles to your heel
bone and is used when you walk, run,
and jump. It can be successfully treated
with orthotics, physio therapy, and most
recently LLLT – Low Level Light Laser
Therapy. Orthotics can decrease tension
on the Achilles tendon and maintain
proper foot alignment. Physio therapy
can help decrease pain and inflammation
through ultrasounds and massage. Lastly,
but most frequently used now, is the LLLT
that increases the patient’s own healing
capabilities. If conservative treatment
fails, surgical repair of the Achilles tendon
may be necessary to mend the injured
tendon.

Plantar fasciitis is a disorder that results
in pain in the heel and bottom of the
foot. The pain is usually most severe with
the first steps of the day or following a
period of rest. Pain is also frequently
brought on by bending the foot and
toes up towards the shin and may be
worsened by a tight Achilles tendon. The
condition typically comes on slowly and
can be conservatively treated with ice,
anti-inflammatories, rest, and orthotics.
If conservative treatment is ineffective,
a small instep plantar fascia surgical
release will cure the problem. Postop recovery is two to three weeks and
includes partial weight bearing.
Bunions and arthritis can slow the pace
of a run or a round of golf. Conservative
treatment by a podiatrist may or may
not be effective. These include orthotics,
anti-inflammatories,
padding,
or
injections. If pain persists, the podiatrist
should take an x-ray to help correlate
symptoms with structural problems.
Degenerative osteoarthritis of the great
toe joint is commonly seen in marathon
runners, and ۈH