FROM the pickup basketball player to the motivated marathoner, all who exercise can suffer the agony of the feet.
During the simple act of walking, the foot absorbs one-and-a-half times the body's weight. In running, it bears two to three times the body's weight. One giant leap to dunk a basketball can ratchet that force up even higher. Because one stress fracture can seriously derail an entire sports career, researchers are continually studying athletes to determine the optimum methods of training and treatment, to both prevent and care for these injuries.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday January 03, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 34 words Type of Material: Correction
Footsteps: An article on the human foot in Monday's Health said that people take an average of 10,000 steps per mile. In fact, the average person would cover about five miles with 10,000 steps.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Monday January 08, 2007 Home Edition Health Part F Page 5 Features Desk 0 inches; 33 words Type of Material: Correction
Footsteps: An article in the Jan. 1 Health section said that people take an average of 10,000 steps per mile. In fact, the average person would cover about five miles with 10,000 steps.
The most common athletics-related injuries, say sports medicine orthopedists and podiatrists, are plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, neuromas, capsulitis and stress fractures.
Plantar fasciitis
Any activity that involves jumping, plus sudden stops and starts, can lead to plantar fasciitis. And apparently plenty of activities do. This overstretching of the ligament that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, straight through the arch, affects about 14% of men and women ages 18 to 60, according to the American Podiatric Medical Assn.
"It comes on slowly," says Dr. Doug Richie, a Seal Beach-based podiatrist and past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. "It's not a sudden event. But it's always worst first thing in the morning, and it can be worse while playing the sport."
Cause: The repeated stress of propelling the foot upward strains the ligament, sometimes creating small tears and possibly also causing pain at the arch. Being overweight can exacerbate the condition for the additional load it puts on the foot. The injury is especially common this time of year, when resolution-makers start exercising with a little too much gusto.
Although the pain can be felt in the arch, it's usually felt in the heel in part because that's where the ligament is weakest, says Dr. John Pagliano, a Long Beach-based podiatrist and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. "The fascia is nice and broad in the arch, but narrows as it comes into the heel." The heel is also where the foot bears the brunt of impacts.
"It's supposed to be a nice, soft, pliable material," Pagliano says, but after taking a pounding, it can form adhesions and scar tissue, becoming "gristly and hard."
Prevention: Warm up before an exercise routine, and gradually increase your workout intensity over time. Wear shoes with adequate arch support.
