January is a fun time to enjoy winter activities like ice skating and skiing. But if your feet hurt after ice skating, that fun won't last long. So, what causes discomfort once your skates come off? And how can you tell if you've sustained a sports injury on the ice? Here's what you need to know.
Why Feet Hurt After Ice Skating ![man ice skating outdoors]()
Unfortunately, foot pain is common concern for ice skaters, whether you're training for figure skating competitions; part of an ice hockey team; or just someone who loves skating for fun. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell what's causing your discomfort, and this is why. Foot pain after ice skating could be the result of poorly fitted skates; the shape of your foot; or because of an injury sustained while skating. But how can you tell what's making your feet after skating? Determining the location of the pain can help us get to the root of your problem.
Skate-Related Foot Pain
Finding boots that fit you properly is essential to preventing foot pain after skating. If your boots are too tight; laced improperly; or fit too loosely, you'll experience discomfort on the ice and after your skate is complete. Common concerns include blisters, black or ingrown toenails, and pain on top of your foot, right below the skate laces. If any of these problems sound familiar, you can bring your skates in to the office for Dr. Alvin Cowans to evaluate, as a poor fit on your boots could be the source of your discomfort.
Additionally, people with flat or high-arched feet may notice that the arch of their foot hurts when skating. That's because the flat-shape of the boot is not offering sufficient support for your feet during your skating session. In such cases, adding custom orthotics to your boot can help relieve pain while improving your athletic performance.
Common Ice Skating Injuries
Sometimes, even when your skates fit you perfectly, you may experience foot pain after skating. In such cases, an
injury may be to blame. Skating injuries usually fall into one of two categories: acute or overuse injuries. An acute
injury such as an foot strain, ankle sprain or fracture may occur after a sudden fall on the ice, or if your foot twists
unnaturally while you skate. In such cases, you may experience pain, swelling, tenderness to the touch, and
difficulty bearing weight on your affected foot or ankle.
At other times, overtraining can result in undue pressure or strain on one area of your foot or ankle, resulting in an overuse injury. Some overuse injuries ice skaters may experience include ankle bursitis; Achilles tendon pain and Achilles tendonitis; stress fractures, particularly in the metatarsal bones; and plantar fasciitis.
If you suspect you've sustained an injury while skating, stop all activity and practice the RICE method: rest your affected foot or ankle, apply ice to the area of injury, compress the affected limb, and keep it elevated, ideally above the level of your heart. If your pain resolves in a day or two, you can carefully return to your training, although you should get your feet and skates checked out in the office to make sure your pain doesn't return when you get back on the ice. But if your pain persists or worsens after that, it's time to schedule an appointment in our Powder Springs podiatry office.
Treating Sports Injuries
Like any athlete, we know that serious ice skaters don't want to be sidelined for too long. But if you ignore foot pain after skating, and keep working out on the ice, something that began as a small injury could become a major problem that leaves you sidelined for months. Instead, we suggest requesting an appointment as soon as you notice discomfort during or after completing physical activities such as ice skating. In the office, we can start by looking at the fit of your ice skates, determining if boot rubbing or pressure due to poor lacing techniques is the cause of your discomfort. Additionally, a thorough foot exam can help determine if your foot shape requires additional support in order to make your feet not hurt after skating. Finally, if Dr. Alvin Cowans suspects you've sustained an injury, he can order in-office X-rays to rule out a stress or foot fracture. Then, once he's accurately diagnosed the cause of your discomfort, he'll come up with a treatment plan to get you back on the ice as soon as possible...without the pain. And, if you're anxious to speed up your recovery time, he can even help you schedule laser therapy for pain, to fight inflammation and get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
