Golf is a low-impact sport that typically doesn’t cause many injuries, but the foot and ankle are still vulnerable to injury. Some common golf injuries to the foot and ankle include:
- Plantar fasciitis: This is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It can cause heel pain and stiffness.
- Achilles tendonitis: This is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the back of the ankle.
- Stress fractures: Repetitive stress on the foot and ankle can cause small cracks in the bones, known as stress fractures. They can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness.
- Ankle sprains: Golfers can twist their ankles while swinging or walking on uneven terrain, which can result in an ankle sprain. It can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
- Turf toe: This is a sprain of the big toe joint, caused by jamming the toe or repeatedly pushing off the ground. It can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Prevention of golf injuries to the foot and ankle includes proper warm-up exercises before playing, wearing proper golf shoes with good support, and using a golf cart instead of walking on uneven terrain. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any foot or ankle pain or discomfort during or after playing golf.