Sarah Johnson
Background
Sarah, a passionate recreational skier, struggled with persistent foot cramps and shin pain that cut her ski days short. As the day went on the pain started to affect her technique.
She reported:
- Burning pain and cramping to her forefoot
- Shin pain after a few hours of skiing
- Difficulty controlling her ski edges once the pain had come on
Sarah had discussed her issues with a ski boot fitter, and had the shells of her boots stretched and blown out, which was helpful to a limited degree.
Case Study Disclaimer: The case studies presented are based on real patients from Foot Factor. All names and identifying details have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
Assessment
A full biomechanical assessment revealed:
- Tight posterior calf muscles (to the gastrocnemius and soleus)
- A pet cavus or high arched foot type
- Excess pressure to the forefoot in a static position mimicking her skiing stance
- A mismatch between her lower leg position and the cuff of her ski boots
Intervention
Sarah was prescribed bespoke full-length sport orthotics designed to:
- Redistribute pressure from the forefoot to the arches of her feet
- Balance pressure within the ski boots
The fit of her boots was checked, and the cuff alignment was adjusted to match her lower limb alignment. She was also prescribed a course of calf stretching exercises to address the calf tightness and further reduce the pressure on the forefoot.
Results
- Significant improvement in comfort in the boots
- Improved edge control and performance due to improved alignment due to orthotics and improved cuff alignment
- Improved cuff alignment eliminated irritation to the shins
- Able to ski all day and go to apres without changing shoes
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of foot stability and orthotics in skiing, and how Foot Factor orthotics and our expertise in skiing came together to ensure Sarah was comfortable and performing her best on the slopes. On her next trip to the Alps, Sarah skied five consecutive days—pain-free, confident, and more in control than ever.