The barrier to a perfect golf swing could lie in your big toe. Or your heel. Or on the ball of your foot. Shelly D. Sedberry, MS, DPM, AACFAS, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), says these are the three areas of your feet most likely to cause pain that can ruin your golf swing.
Behind these pain-prone spots can lie stiff joints, stretched-out tissues, and even nerve damage. But pain relief is possible and often does not require surgery.
According to Dr. Sedberry, the three most common painful foot conditions that can ruin your golf swing are heel pain, arthritis, and pinched nerves.
- Arthritis can cause pain in the joint of your big toe that makes it difficult to follow-through on your golf swing.
- Heel pain typically results from an inflammation of the band of tissue that extends from your heel to the ball of your foot. People with this condition compare the pain to someone jabbing a knife in their heel. Heel pain can make it uncomfortable for golfers to maintain a solid stance during crucial portions of their golf swing.
- Neuromas, according to FootHealthFacts.org, are nerves that become thickened, enlarged, and painful because they have been compressed or irritated. A neuroma in the ball of your foot can cause significant pain as your body transfers its weight from one foot to the other in a golf swing.
Several other painful conditions can also cause instability during your swing. Some athletes and former athletes develop chronic ankle instability from previous ankle sprains that failed to heal properly. Motion-limiting arthritis and Achilles tendonitis can also affect your balance. Ill-fitting golf shoes may cause corns and calluses that make standing uncomfortable.
For most golfers and other patients Dr. Sedberry recommends simple treatments such as custom orthotic devices (shoe inserts), stretching exercises, changes to your shoes, medications, braces, or steroid injections and physical therapy. However, if these conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief, surgery may be required.
“Foot pain is not normal. With the treatment options available to your foot and ankle surgeon, a pain-free golf swing is clearly in view,” says Sedberry. “When your feet aren’t in top condition, your golf swing won’t be either.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sedberry at Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center, call (417) 600-0648. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For additional information, visit www.shoalcreekfac.com.
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