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"Heel pain is a common complaint among golfers
over the age of 50, but it's not the only one that affects the feet,"
says Dr. Stephen Pribut, a sports Podiatrist who practices in Washington,
D.C.
Orthotics allow for a normal rolling
inward motion. (Provided to SportsLine) "I see golfers with
Morton's neuroma (an enlarged, inflamed nerve), heel spurs, injuries
to the small bones of the feet, tendinitis, and even back pain,"
adds Pribut, who is on the faculty at the George Washington University
School of Medicine.
One treatment suggested by Pribut
and other sports medicine specialists is an orthotic, a shoe insert
designed to give support or relieve pressure on various parts of
the feet.
Orthotics allow the feet to hit the
ground in a sound mechanical position and they allow for a normal
rolling inward motion. They also help the feet get back to a neutral
position after they flatten on impact with the ground.
How do you know if you need orthotics
that can be bought at a drug store or if you need prescription orthotics?
One tip-off is recurring injuries. If your condition improves with
a store-bought insert, then gets worse, or if a secondary injury
develops, get help from an orthopedic surgeon or a Podiatrist/Chiropodist.
Over the counter orthotics
Over-the-counter orthotics are more
like arch supports. They can be useful in easing mild conditions
and they are less expensive than prescription inserts.
Pribut warns that each foot moves
differently during a golf swing. The back foot must allow for more
pronation during the follow through than the front foot. That is
another reason for seeing a professional to get an initial evaluation
of a foot problem.
Orthotics can temporarily correct
a problem or they can be used indefinitely. Many athletes, including
golfers over 50, use them forever because they can walk and run
more efficiently and comfortably. If you are having lower extremity
pain, consider the orthotics alternative. If you have already used
them, give Golf After50 some feedback on the results.
Source:
www.golfweb.com
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