Golfers: Don't be Handicapped with Foot and Ankle Pain

Annette Caporusso, DPM
Podiatric Medicine
Chippewa Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Eau Claire

Millions of golfers take to the greens each year for sport, exercise and a few hours of pars and bogeys. Often golf is associated with shoulder or wrist injuries, but duffers should be aware of potentially serious foot problems that can result from years of playing the game.

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Although golf is not considered a rigorous sport, the physical act of repeatedly swinging a golf club in practice and on the links can lead to a condition known as hallux limitus, a jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint.

The movement and weight transfer that occurs during the swing’s follow through can cause this problem and other chronic foot ailments. When golfers follow through on their swing, they can overextend the big toe joint on the back foot. Those who have played the game for several years can eventually wear out the cartilage or jam the big toe joint. The likely outcome, if left untreated, is painful arthritis in the big toe, which may make it very difficult to continue playing golf.

Golfers who have pain and swelling around the big toe joint, or have less mobility in this area than other parts of the foot, should visit a foot and ankle surgeon for an examination and appropriate treatment. A history of trauma to the big toe area and general bone structure also can precipitate the condition. Individuals with a long first metatarsal bone (big toe), for example, are more susceptible to joint compression and hallux limitus.

If golfers experience pain in the big toe area when playing, they should consider it a warning sign that intervention is necessary before the joint becomes arthritic. In most situations, orthotics can be prescribed to provide relief, but in some advanced cases surgery may be required. Another foot problem that is common in golfers is a neuroma or pinched nerve at the bottom of the foot. The weight transfer to the front foot that occurs in the follow through applies pressure that, over time, can cause a pinched nerve.

Golfers are also advised not to wear shoes that have a spike located directly beneath the ball of the foot. The pressure from that single spike, magnified by the several thousand steps taken during an average round, can cause intense pain and swelling in the ball of the foot. Any pair of golf shoes can be made more foot friendly without sacrificing traction, by removing the poorly located spikes. Additional information can be found at wwwfootphysicians.com, website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

For more information on foot conditions that affect athletes and those with an active lifestyle, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Caporusso: 715.723.8514 or 800.322.1747, or visit www.cvosm.com. Dr. Caporusso sees patients in Rice Lake, Durand and Spooner