Arch pain while skating(& skiing)
Janet M. Swisher
possible expertise. Please reply by email, or edit Newsgroups:
appropriately. I am looking for advice, information, resources,
books, etc. on biomechanics, especially on correcting abnormalities
as they relate to skating- and skiing-type activities.
The details:
My husband Paul would like to get in shape, but knows from experience
that he will not stick with an activity that is not both convenient
and enjoyable in itself, which cuts out swimming, cycling and running
(no flames, that's his preference). He is interested in
rollerblading, but the few times he has rented skates, he has
developed pain across his arches within just a few minutes, severe
enough to make him want to stop (he has high arches). Adjusting the
laces/straps or switching to a different size does not seem to have
much effect. The pain takes a couple of hours to subside.
At the suggestion of one of the skate shop guys, Paul went to see a
podiatrist to be fitted for orthotics (expensive, yes, but worth it if
it works and we can get him to start exercising). Even with the
orthotics, the pain recurred. The podiatrist made some adjustments,
but they seemed to help only marginally, if at all. The podiatrist
does not seem to know much about rollerblading. He told Paul several
things which may not all be consistent or true.
One is that the bones in Paul's feet lock together a little later in
his stride than normal. Therefore, when he tries to push out with
them, they are not rigid, and his muscles have to try to make up the
difference, which puts extra strain on them. This seems to explain
Paul's experience the one time he tried going skiing. He literally
could not do what the instructor said; if he tried to put his weight
on his toes, he could not push his skis to the side. He had to put
his weight on his heels instead. He also had foot pain while skiing,
but just put up with it so as not to blow his one available day on the
slopes.
Another thing the podiatrist said is that orthotics are "better" than
regular arch supports because an arch support is analogous to sticking
a column in the middle of an arch to keep it from falling down,
whereas an orthotic is analogous to a flying buttress in that it helps
the arch act as an arch (I don't think he meant that an orthotic is
*really* a flying buttress, but that it works in a similar way). He
also said that the way to correct the position at which Paul's foot
locks is to correct the verticle angle of the foot.
The orthotics certainly *seem* a lot like regular arch supports. They
are molded to his foot shape, and stop just short of the ball of the
foot. Wouldn't a "buttress" need something on the toe side of the
arch? And if they're supposed to correct the verticle angle of the
foot, couldn't they just be a foot-shaped wedge of a few degrees?
Finally, Paul has in the distant past gone ice skating, and does not
recall that the leather boots of the ice skates caused him any pain.
Are there brands of inline rollerskates that have ice-skate-style
leather boots?
I'd appreciate any suggestions that will increase my understanding of
the biomechanics of skating, and of orthotics and how they work.
Thanks,
Janet
--
Don't take life so serious ... it ain't *no how* permanent. -- Porkypine.
Donald Mackie
From: Janet M. Swisher, swi...@cs.utexas.edu
Date: 25 Jan 1993 12:32:08 -0600
In article <lm8ch8...@boogie.cs.utexas.edu> Janet M. Swisher,
<deleted stuff with which I sympathize>
>He is interested in
>rollerblading, but the few times he has rented skates, he has
>developed pain across his arches within just a few minutes, severe
>enough to make him want to stop (he has high arches). Adjusting the
>laces/straps or switching to a different size does not seem to have
>much effect. The pain takes a couple of hours to subside.
<deleted experience with podiatrist>
I have exactly the same problem when cross-country skiing, both diagonal
and skating style. A real problem since this is the only winter activity
I will participate in. The pain is excruciating and has nearly brought me
to tears. Bad news when I'm on the trail and miles from anywhere.
I tried assorted boots, usually by renting them, and also messed around
with how I laced my own boots. No help there.
I had some orthotics made - no real help so I took them back and in the
long run have had three sets made. The third set make a slight difference
so I use them sometimes.
I have rationalized what is going on in the same way as you have. I
believe I am working the small muscles of my forefoot hard in order to
control my skis. They cannot deal with the sort of work I am asking of
them. I have found that by consciously putting more weight on my heel I
can avoid most of the pain. It took a while and I have a rather
unconventional style but it has worked well for me. Every now and then,
particularly when moving fast, I move my weight forward and the problem
recurs.
One other thing I've noticed. The heavier I am, and I've been up around
260 pounds, the worse the problem is. Of course, weight control is one of
the goals of my exercise but it seems to be a factor, for me anyway.
Isaac Kim
>
>My husband Paul is interested in
I also had much pain across my arches when I rollerbladed, but due
to flat feet. I purchased orthotics and they really helped out.
I never got the custom fit ones, but my orthotics did run along the
full length of my foot, and did not stop at the ball of my foot.
I noticed the significant difference in arch support the first time
I used them. I'm not sure what you mean my vertical angle, but these
orthotics did place my heel slightly higher than my toes.
As I mentioned in a previous post, there is a place in Mammoth Mt.,
Calif. called Footloose which specializes in custom fitting and foot
comfort for skiing and other sports like rollerblading. They offer
a whole range of full length orthotics running from generic ones for
$20 to custom molded cork orthotics for $150.
Do you have any idea what model of rollerblades your husband rented?
This could also be a factor in foot comfort. The more expensive
blades generally have better liners which also help in the comfort
factor. Also getting the correct width really helps, especially if
he has wide feet like myself. This Footloose place stretched the
hard shells of my rollerblades out to fit my feet - and most of
my foot pain from rollerblading has gone away.
>Finally, Paul has in the distant past gone ice skating, and does not
>recall that the leather boots of the ice skates caused him any pain.
>Are there brands of inline rollerskates that have ice-skate-style
>leather boots?
Bauer offers rollerblades with their standard hockey boot, which is part
leather part nylon. I still believe that a hard plastic shell, soft
liner combination (like in my Rollerblade Lightnings) are much more
comfortable than the standard hockey boot type blade.
Isaac (k...@bull.ucsd.edu)
THOMAS BIZON
>Sorry for the diverse cross-post. I am trying to cast a wide net for
>possible expertise. Please reply by email, or edit Newsgroups:
>appropriately. I am looking for advice, information, resources,
>books, etc. on biomechanics, especially on correcting abnormalities
>as they relate to skating- and skiing-type activities.
>
When learning to skate/ski, many beginners will curl their toes to "grip"
the front of the skate. This puts stress on the arch, and after a couple
minutes, your arches really hurt. Just a thought........
Tom
PS By the way, if Paul won't stick with cycling......he probably won't
stick with rollerblading.
_ __o
___ `\<,
- O/ O
Johan Thole
former speed skates (Viking Junior). When she went to a sport-shop a few
years ago, they said that her skates were too large. She bought a pair of
Viking 2 skates which were two sizes smaller and she has never experienced
pain in her feet afterwards.
I always have learnt that your skates should fit exactly, so that you have
maximum control and comfort. Your big toe should almost touch the front of
your shoe. When I try new skates I usually start with one size smaller than
the size of my shoes.
Just my $0.02 ...
Johan.
P.S. other Viking skaters here outside? I always have skated on Viking's
and I think they are very good. Of course I have never tried Raps ...
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johan Thole (th...@cs.rulimburg.nl) | This species has amused itself to death!
University of Limburg | (Roger Waters)
Dept. of computer science | #include <std/disclaimer.h>