10 Common Activities That Can Harm Your Feet and Ankles- and What to Do About It

Foot And Ankle Pain in Skating

Skating should leave you gliding with confidence, not dealing with foot or ankle pain. From lace bite and Achilles tendinitis to stress fractures and ankle sprains, we diagnose and treat skating-related foot and ankle issues so skaters can perform comfortably and get back in the rink.

Injury	Common Causes in Skating	Typical Patient Treatments	Preventive Measures
Ankle Sprains	Falls, awkward landings from jumps, sudden direction changes, and loss of balance during skating.	RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), bracing, physical therapy, and progressive return to skating.	Strengthen ankle muscles, practice proper technique, wear supportive boots, and maintain balance training.
Achilles Tendinitis	Repetitive push-offs, jumping, tight skate boots, and overuse of the calf-Achilles complex.	Rest, stretching, physical therapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory treatment.	Regular calf stretching, proper boot fit, gradual training progression, and strengthening exercises.
Lace Bite	Excessive pressure from tightly laced skate boots causing irritation of tendons across the top of the foot and ankle. Common in figure skaters and hockey players.	Padding, boot adjustments, rest, anti-inflammatory treatment, and physical therapy.	Ensure proper skate fit, avoid over-tightening laces, use tongue pads or gel sleeves, and replace worn equipment.
Stress Fractures	Repetitive impact from jumps, intense training schedules, overuse, and inadequate recovery.	Activity restriction, immobilization when necessary, rehabilitation, and gradual return to skating.	Increase training gradually, allow recovery time, maintain proper nutrition, and address pain early.
Plantar Fasciitis	Repetitive stress on the arch from skating motions, prolonged training sessions, and inadequate support.	Stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, ice, and activity modification.	Wear properly fitted skates, stretch regularly, strengthen foot muscles, and use supportive footwear off the rink.
Blisters	Friction from poorly fitted skates, excessive moisture, and prolonged skating sessions.	Protective dressings, padding, wound care, and skate modifications.	Ensure proper skate fit, wear moisture-wicking socks, and address pressure points early.
Toenail Injuries (Black Toenails, Lifting Nails, Nail Trauma)	Toes repeatedly hitting the front of the skate boot during stops, jumps, and turns.	Nail care, protective padding, activity modification, and treatment of damaged nails when necessary.	Proper skate sizing, adequate toe box space, and secure heel fit to prevent foot movement inside the skate.
Bunions	Chronic pressure from tight-fitting skate boots and repetitive stress on the big toe joint.	Orthotics, padding, wider footwear outside skating, activity modification, and surgery in severe cases.	Proper skate fitting and avoiding excessive compression of the forefoot.
Metatarsalgia	Constant forefoot pressure during jumps, spins, and skating maneuvers.	Orthotics, cushioning, activity modification, and physical therapy.	Proper skate fit, foot-strengthening exercises, and pressure redistribution devices.
Peroneal Tendonitis	Repetitive ankle stabilization demands and overuse during skating movements.	Rest, physical therapy, bracing, and strengthening exercises.	Balance training, gradual increases in activity, and maintaining ankle strength.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis	Excessive pronation, poor biomechanics, and repetitive skating motions.	Orthotics, physical therapy, activity modification, and supportive footwear.	Proper foot alignment, custom orthotics when needed, and strengthening of supporting muscles.
Heel Pain (Sever’s Disease)	Repetitive impact, growth-related stress in children, and prolonged skating sessions.	Rest, stretching, heel cups, orthotics, and activity modification.	Proper skate fit, calf flexibility programs, and avoiding excessive training volume in young athletes.
Foot & Ankle Fractures	Falls, collisions, failed jumps, and high-impact skating accidents.	Immobilization, casting or boot use, rehabilitation, and surgery when necessary.	Wear appropriate protective equipment, maintain skating technique, and skate within skill level.