When winter approaches, it is time once again for skiers and boarders to begin getting ready for the snow to fall. We recommend that you begin an exercise program aimed at increasing your aerobic capacity and your lower body strength. You should make sure your equipment is in good shape. And if you suffer any foot pain, you should consider making an appointment for a skiers evaluation.

Skiing and snowboarding are sports of precise control. Increase your control, and you'll increase your ability, comfort and safety. The key point of control is your foot, and how it reacts with and within your boot. If your foot is stable, slight movements of your leg will transmit directly to your ski or snowboard edge. In fact, it's been shown that nearly all successful ski racers were born with a foot that is much more stable than the average foot.

Some of us, however, were born with feet that are not particularly stable. These are usually feet that roll inward too much or flatten excessively. This is called “excessive pronation”. If you have an unstable foot, it will take much more effort for your leg movements to cause your ski or snowboard edge to react and to make your turn. This results in many problems, which include:

• Poor edge control.
• Failure to improve, even with many lessons.
• A feeling that you need to "crank-down" your boots in order to get control over your skis.
• Cold Feet: If you tighten your boots to increase control, you decrease blood supply to your feet. This eventually leads to cold feet.
• "Hot Spots" or sore points on the foot. This is often due to the foot flattening and spreading out when you apply the extreme forces that occur when you ski.
• Fatigue: If your foot isn't stable, you must use muscles to create stability and force your skis or boards to turn. You will tire much faster doing this.
• Aching or Cramping Feet: If you must use your muscles to create stability, they will eventually tire, become painful, and cramp.
• Increased Risk of Injury: If you are tired, you are more likely to get hurt.

So, if you weren't born with the feet of a professional skier, what do you do to increase your stability?

First, we need to determine the cause of your instability.

A complete evaluation of your lower body mechanics will be performed. We will also need to evaluate your ski boots, so be sure to bring them in with you.

Next, a personalized treatment plan will be prescribed for you. One or more of the following may be recommended:

Boot Adjustments or New Boots
If we find a problem with the fit of your foot in your boot, or with the condition of the boot itself, you will be referred to a qualified boot fitter in your area.

Boot Footbeds
Footbeds are non-prescription arch supports molded to the shape of your foot. They help distribute weight over a larger area and can increase your comfort by customizing your boots to your feet. Footbeds are available from our local boot fitter.

Functional Foot Orthoses
For more severe mechanical problems, your doctor may recommend that you have a functional foot orthosis, or "orthotic" made for your ski boots. Orthotics are prescription only, precision medical devices made from appropriately corrected non-weight bearing molds of your feet. They act to correct and support foot abnormalities and dramatically improve the stability of your feet in your boots. Orthotics are available only from your podiatrist, who will usually be working in concert with your boot fitter to give you the most comfortable fit possible.

Treatment for Other Foot Problems
Sometimes, foot pain while skiing is not a result of poor mechanics, but rather caused by a true medical problem affecting your foot. If this is the case, your podiatrist can diagnose the problem, and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Snow season comes quicker than you expect. Don't wait for the snow to fall to have your podiatrist perform your skier / snowboarder evaluation. Call today for an appointment.

It's Not Normal For Your Feet to Hurt
If you are experiencing foot or ankle problems, call today for an appointment

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