Fit Feet helps Special Olympics athletes step lively on the playing field, and in everyday life. Many athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. In fact, up to 50 percent of Special Olympics athletes experience one or more preventable or treatable foot conditions that can affect their sports participation. Often, these individuals are not fitted with the best shoes and socks for their particular sport. To alleviate these problems, volunteer podiatrists work with athletes to evaluate problems of the feet, ankles and lower extremity biomechanics.
The screening takes approximately 15 minutes. During the screening, health care clinicians will provide the athletes with:
Dermatologic evaluation for skin and toenail problems (athlete's foot, ingrown toenails, nail fungus, plantar warts, etc.)
Neurologic evaluation for strength and balance
Measurement of appropriate shoe size (length and width) and evaluation of appropriate shoe and sock type
Musculoskeletal evaluation for strength, balance, range of motion, deformities (i.e. hammertoes, bunions, etc)
Biomechanical evaluation for flat feet, high arches
Gait evaluation (watching how the athlete walks)
Special Olympics Northern California offers fit feet screenings at local regional competitions.
Clinical Directors
Tim Dutra, DPM, MS, MCHA
Diane Mitchel-Pray, DPM
