Between the cold wind in your face and the exhilarating feeling of speed, snowboarding is the one of the most invigorating and intense sports you’ll find. Snowboarding doesn’t require much gear, so your feet, boots and board are your most important accessories. Any foot pain, such as that caused by plantar fasciitis, can make your boarding experience miserable and distract you, so visit your doctor as soon as you notice pain in the bottom of your foot.
Plantar Fasciitis Basics
A thick band of tissue known as the plantar fascia runs down the center of the bottom of your foot, all the way from your toes to your heel. When it’s uninjured, this tissue absorbs the shocks your foot endures with each step. When the plantar fascia is overused or stretched too far, however, every step becomes painful. This condition is called plantar fasciitis. You’ll likely feel sharp pain when walking first thing in the morning as well as during your first steps after sitting down for a period.
Risk Factors
There’s no rhyme or reason as to who gets plantar fasciitis and when, but some groups are predisposed to this injury. Since it’s often caused by overuse, athletes -- particularly those whose feet hit the ground repetitively, such as runners -- are at risk for the injury. Overweight people are also prone. Foot problems can be to blame. Wearing shoes without proper arch support puts you at risk for plantar fasciitis, as does having either unusually high arches or flat feet, neither of which you can control.
Treatments
In most people, plantar fasciitis doesn’t require invasive treatment; according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 90 percent of sufferers improve within 10 months and without surgery. Your doctor will likely prescribe a course of treatment that involves resting and icing the foot as well as foot stretches and physical therapy. He may also prescribe oral medications or inject corticosteroids into the plantar fascia, both of which will reduce swelling and pain. If these treatments don’t work, eventually you may need surgery. Generally, your doctor won’t operate unless your pain has endured for more than a year.
Snowboarding Tips
Once your doctor has given you the go-ahead to hit the slopes, proceed with caution. The first thing to do is examine your boots. You’ll need plenty of support, and boots that are either too small or too large won’t provide it. Once you’ve found the right-size boots, consider slipping footbeds or insoles inside and wearing thick socks, which give your feet an extra layer of cushioning. Stretch your feet thoroughly before snowboarding. Don’t attempt to hit the slopes first thing in the morning or after a long drive or rest period, since your feet may hurt the most at these times. When you finish boarding, put your feet up and apply some ice.
