The rehabilitation of overuse foot injuries in athletes and dancers

Overuse injuries in athletes and dancers provide a challenge to the diagnostic acumen and rehabilitative and preventive skills of the medical community. The challenge is intensified when the primary lesion is located in the foot, whose levers, arches, and pulleys are responsible for absorbing shock, as well as converting a mobile adapter into a rigid lever for propulsion. A thorough knowledge of these active and passive mechanisms is essential for the appropriate and expeditious management of overuse syndromes. Sports and dance medicine health practitioners must also explore and comprehend the kinesiology of the sports and/or dance activity prevalent among their clientele. Furthermore, in order to determine the etiology and make judicious recommendations, clinicians must familiarize themselves with the density and inclines of popular running and dancing surfaces within their referral area. Rehabilitation of the foot requires a multifaceted approach. Physical therapists dealing with these problems need to develop expertise in manual techniques, along with clinical competency in laser, electrical, and thermal modalities. Reduction of predisposing factors is of utmost importance in the successful management of overuse injuries, and often requires greater skill and attention than does the treatment of the primary lesion.