{"id":5771,"date":"2014-04-01T02:36:21","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T02:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klsmc.com\/demo\/?p=4119"},"modified":"2025-08-15T15:26:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T07:26:13","slug":"circular-common-golf-injuries-the-foot-and-ankle","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/klsmc.com\/my\/en\/news\/circular-common-golf-injuries-the-foot-and-ankle\/","title":{"rendered":"[Circular] Common Golf Injuries: The Foot and Ankle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dr.
Dr Low Tze Choong, foot and ankle specialist at Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre, talks about the common foot and ankle injuries suffered by golfers, and how they can be kept at bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Golf, despite being a low-impact sport, carries as much risk of injury as many other higher-impact sports. While more serious injuries involve the back and hips, some of the most common injuries take place in the lower limbs, i.e. the knees, ankles and feet.<\/p>\n

Research shows that about 80% of injuries among golfers affect the lower-limb. Most of the time, injuries that occur in the foot and ankle during golf are due to overuse, and directly related to improper mechanics of the golf swing or the strain that the swing can place on the golfer\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

In a proper golf swing, the golfer\u2019s weight should be evenly distributed on both feet, especially during the set-up and downswing phases.<\/p>\n

Dr Low Tze Choong, foot and ankle specialist at the Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre (KLSMC), sees his fair share of golfers on a regular basis. In his experience, there are a few common foot and ankle injuries among golfers: plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel), Morton\u2019s Neuroma (an injury to the nerve between the toes), metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot), and tendinitis (typically involving the Achilles tendon).<\/p>\n

Another common injury of the big toe is \u201cTurf Toe\u201d \u2013 where the heel is raised and too much pressure is put on the toe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the swing, the big toe is put under a lot of strain and goes into hyper-extension \u2013 where the toe is forced up. In that position it puts a lot of strain on the joint, and the toe undergoes a lot of wear and tear,\u201d said Dr Low. Turf Toe can also occur when golfers squat down to assess the green before or after they take a shot.<\/p>\n

Often, the first symptom that things might be amiss is pain and sometimes swelling. However, instead of rushing to the doctor immediately, Dr Low advises to put an ice pack over the painful or swollen area and wait for it to subside.<\/p>\n

Generally, the swelling should subside within 2-3 days if the injury is not major. On the other hand, if the swelling persists and your movement is disrupted, then it might be time to consult a doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is always good to explore non-surgical treatment options as a first choice, and in the case of foot and ankle injuries this is done through physiotherapy and orthotics. For certain conditions, like plantar fasciitis, you can actually treat it successfully using a lot of stretching of the right muscles (physio) and the right insoles (orthotics).<\/p>\n

\u201cAssessing the patient\u2019s current footwear can help determine the right type of insoles that the patient needs for his or her condition. The right insoles can help to adjust the foot accordingly. When selecting footwear, more rigid footwear is generally better in terms of the support that it provides to your feet and ankle. Of course, failing all these, if the patient is still unable to get any relief, then the patient may have to undergo some surgical procedure,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

A revolutionary treatment for patients who require surgery is using stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy offered at KLSMC exploits the natural healing properties of the patient\u2019s own stem cells, which are harvested from the patient\u2019s blood stream and re-injected into damaged areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cStem cells offer two things \u2013 one, it accelerates healing of the tissues. Second, these cells actually regenerate to form the original damaged tissues \u2013 restoring the form and function of the original \u2013 unlike scar tissues that do not have the same qualities as the original tissue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we use stem cell therapy together with surgical procedures, for example fractures, it greatly enhances healing ability. Healing time is significantly reduced, and almost halved, with stem cell therapy,\u201d said Dr Low.<\/p>\n

These cells can also be cryo-preserved and stored for future treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.<\/p>\n

The potential of this new treatment continues to raise the bar in sports medicine and give fresh hope to avid golfers and athletes alike.<\/p>\n

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Healthy Feet and Ankles<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the most important and effective long-term solutions is to strengthen and add flexibility to the ankle muscles. This can not only prevent foot and ankle injuries altogether, but also enables patients to heal faster from potential injuries.<\/p>\n

Here are a few simple stretching and strengthening exercises that will help keep your feet and ankle in great shape, recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:<\/p>\n

Stretching Exercises<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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  1. Golf ball roll<\/b> (you should feel this exercise along the bottom of your foot)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n