Friday, June 8, 2012

Clayton Kershaw's Heel Pain


Clayton Kershaw, left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, ran with considerable pain to first base during Monday's game. The former Cy Young winner has plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Plantar fasciitis is not something to be taken lightly in the baseball world. In the past, it ended outfielder Scott Podsednik's season with the Dodgers in 2010, and brought tears to the eyes of Angels outfielder Tim Salmon in 1998.
What makes it worse for Kershaw is that as a left-handed pitcher, he is pivoting and pushing off his left foot when delivering a pitch. If it was his landing foot, he would feel pain after the release, but he instead feels it at the beginning of his delivery.
Continuing to play with extremely painful plantar fasciitis is not recommended. Playing with it threatens to rupture or tear your plantar fascia, as happened with Salmon. Unfortunately for Kershaw, the most effective treatment for plantar fasciitis is rest, which may prove difficult since the season is not even half over yet.
The Dodgers should be careful with how they treat Kershaw and not rush into getting him back on the mound too soon.

If you are an athlete who has heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
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