I was watching one of the World Cup games last night, and it took me right back to the time I did a stint for the England football team as podiatrist to Sol Campbell.
Sol got me a 'gig', so to speak — an invitation to come along and check out some of the players' feet. It was a fascinating few days, and a world away from my usual work.
How It Came About
Sol Campbell was a patient of mine, and it was Sol who got me in to look at some of the squad. You never quite know where podiatry will take you — one week it is the homeless shelters of Camden, the next it is the England dressing room.
Rooney's Ankle and a Word About Orthotics
Wayne Rooney was new to the squad at the time and had been complaining about a sore ankle. While I was there, I spent a good while talking to some of the players, and to the team physiotherapist, about the benefits of orthotics.
For an elite athlete, a well-made orthotic can correct the way the foot loads and rolls, taking strain off the ankle, knee and Achilles. For a footballer, that can be the difference between staying on the pitch and ending up on the treatment table.
Ashley Cole, and a Chat About Bunions
Ashley Cole was particularly interested. He liked the idea of an orthotic helping him pivot before a kick — which is a genuine consideration for a full-back who spends ninety minutes changing direction at speed.
In the end, though, I spent most of my time talking to Mr Cole's mum about her bunions. That, too, became a conversation about appropriate footwear. It is funny how, wherever you go and whoever you are talking to, it so often comes back to the shoes.
It Usually Comes Back to Footwear
From a Premier League full-back to his mum, and from an England striker to a rough sleeper in Camden, the most common thread in foot health is footwear. The right shoe prevents more problems than almost any treatment can cure.
Why I Went Back to St Mungo's
Although it was a wonderful experience, I could not give up my private practice and my work at the St Mungo's homeless shelters. And I do still wonder, every now and then, how my life might have turned out had I become the England football squad's official podiatrist.
But I have never regretted the choice. The feet I treat at St Mungo's need me far more than a squad of superbly conditioned professionals ever did.
The Foot Conditions Footballers Face Most
Footballers may be among the fittest people on the planet, but their feet suffer with many of the same conditions I treat every day in the clinic. The repeated sprinting, the sudden changes of direction, the hours inside tight boots and the shared changing rooms all take their toll.
Most Common Conditions in Footballers
Blisters come from the friction of constant acceleration and braking inside the boot. Athlete's foot thrives in warm, damp boots and communal showers. Achilles and ankle injuries follow the explosive, twisting movements the game demands. And ingrown toenails are made worse by tight boots and the repeated trauma a footballer's toes take.
I have written in more detail about several of these conditions elsewhere on the blog, including athlete's foot and ingrown toenails. Do have a read of those articles if any of them sound familiar — you will find them among the related posts below.
A Tip for Weekend Footballers
You do not need to play for England to look after your feet like a professional. Dry thoroughly between the toes, wear properly fitted boots with clean, moisture-wicking socks, and never play in boots that pinch. Most of the conditions above are far easier to prevent than to treat.
Our Service
Custom-Made Orthotics
Whether you pivot for a living or simply want to walk without pain, custom-made orthotics correct how your foot loads and protect the ankle, knee and Achilles. From £595, including biomechanical assessment, plaster casting and a follow-up fitting.
GRAYS FOOT CLINIC
Ready for Expert Care?
HCPC-registered podiatrists in Holborn, London. Est. 1986.
