Alex puts best foot forward

Alex Wee, consultant at the Surrey Foot and Ankle Clinic, recently gained first hand experience of some of the symptoms endured by his patients when he took part in an Olympic distance Triathlon, swimming 1.5km, cycling 40km, and running 10km.

“It was a great experience,” says Alex, “and, although it was hard during the race itself, the feeling of achievement afterwards was well worth it.” Indeed, he had to suffer a significant amount of physical discomfort during the running stage in order to complete the course in 2 hours 43 seconds. He remarked afterwards that it was probably the slowest and most painful run he’d ever done! Of course, unlike other athletes who may not have been aware of the exact cause of the soreness in his forefoot and the burning sensation across his toes, Alex’s many years of experience treating conditions affecting the lower limb meant he understood it was due to the joints in his forefoot swelling up.

 “This kind of pain can often be caused by striking too heavily on the front part of the foot, and having tight calf muscles” Alex explains. “A narrow shoe fit can also be to blame - athletes need to remember that feet generally swell with heat during activity.” If pain is ongoing, Alex and his 4 Surrey-based consultant colleagues at the Surrey Foot and Ankle Clinic, stress the importance of a prompt and accurate diagnosis which their clinic can offer as part of a holistic service that also includes treatment options such as surgical footwear, custom fitted insoles, physiotherapy, shock wave therapy, injections and, as a last resort, surgery.

However, Alex also emphasises the importance of preventative measures such as a balanced training program of strengthening, careful stretching and replacing running shoes every six months. “But, most important of all, if you suspect you have a problem with your foot or ankle, get it seen by a specialist. Training through the pain will only make it worse.” There you have it runners, you’ve been warned!