Winters offers a perfect opportunity to engage in popular events like skiing, mountain hiking and downhill sledding among other sports. While enjoying the thrills of racing, every precaution must be taken to prevent injury. Some of the common foot and ankle injuries that may arise from winter sporting activities include Morton’s Neuroma, Metatarsalgia and ankle or foot fractures. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with Morton’s Neuroma or Skier’s Toe often experience burning pain and anguish around the balls of the foot.

The pain occurs when a nerve ending in the toe is irritated, injured or subjected to intense pressure. The other symptoms of the musculoskeletal condition include tingling or numbness of the toes and feeling like you have stepped on a piercing pebble. The tingling sensation may get worse during the day when you are attending to your daily activities. The level of discomfort can also increase if you take prolonged walks or wear ill-fitting shoes. Below are the main risk factors to watch for Morton’s Neuroma:

• Choice of sport – engaging in in high impact sports or intense activities such as running and jogging can cause repeat trauma to the feet, thus increasing the likelihood of developing Skier’s toe. Athletes involved in games like snow skiing and rock climbing are often forced to wear tight-fitting shoes that place undue pressure on the toes.
• Putting on high heels – just like wearing tight-fitting shoes, putting on high-heeled shoes can add pressure on the toes and the balls of the foot, thus increasing the risk of suffering Morton’s Neuroma. Women are especially at a high risk of developing the condition because of their association with high-heeled shoes.
• Having deformed feet – there are many different types of deformities that affect the foot. Studies show people with hammertoes, bunions and flatfeet stand a higher risk of developing Morton’s Neuroma. Hammertoe is a bending deformity that affects one or more joints of the toes. Flatfeet causes the arches of the foot to fall flat on the ground. The postural deformity affects a sizable number of people. A bunion, on the other hand, is a bony pump that causes pain in the joints attached to the big toe.

Why are certain sports considered high risk when it comes to Morton’s Neuroma?

There are many reasons why athletes or people engaged in recreational activities are at a higher risk of developing Morton’s Neuroma, a nerve entrapment that mostly impacts the area beneath the transverse metatarsal ligament. According to this insightful Morton Neuroma web resource, athletes involved in extraneous sports often place undue pressure on the connective tissues linked to the foot. This increases the risk of experiencing inflammation, macro-injury and even Morton’s Neuroma. The same can be said about skiers and dancers who are forced to maintain a certain physiological posture when playing.

Skier’s Toe Prevention Strategies

To guard against injury in sports like skiing and prevent Morton’s Neuroma, the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests wearing ski boots specifically designed for the assigned activity. The boots should fit properly by restricting elements like the instep, ball and heel while providing some wriggle room for the toes. An insole orthotic device can be used to control foot movement inside ice skate and ski boots. For ardent athletes looking to continue their training during the winter, staying warm and dry is critical. Warm, lightweight footwear that are suited for winter can be purchased at various sporting goods departments and stores. To prevent the likelihood of falling, athletes should consider taking shorter strides. Footwear powder and foot bath can also be added inside the socks to keep the feet clean and dry.

Get Expert Attention!

If you sustain an ankle or foot injury while skiing, the right thing to do is see a foot physician. For patients with Morton’s Neuroma, the doctor will request to know more about the pain history and the types of shoes you usually wear before coming up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. An X-ray may be suggested to find out if there are any underlying fractures. Most doctors use an ultrasound to establish the presence of Morton’s Neuroma. Getting immediate foot care will help you get back to your feet faster and feel more invigorated.

The New York based Gotham Footcare takes care of all foot conditions, including hammer toes, foot pain, arthritis and plantar warts. Patients who have developed Morton’s Neuroma or Metatarsalgia also receive immediate attention. Gotham Footcare is fully committed to ensuring your foot stays healthy and gives you the comfort to attend to your favorite activities. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the art equipment to ensure speedy diagnosis, treatment and surgical care.