Ski Boot Neuropathy

A. W. Michell*,, J. L. Hampton and N. C. Turner
* Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK; E-mail: awm13@cam.ac.uk
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EXTRACT
This year’s skiing trip had an unusually neurological flavour, reminding us of what we once knew – the neuroanatomy of the foot. And what we should have known – the dangers of colourful new ski boots.
NICK – THE ONCOLOGIST
After many a year just failing to keep my carving skis on their edges I finally decided to buy some new ski boots (Fig. 1). On their first day of use, after an enthusiastic start, I began to experience increasing pain just below my left ankle, but inevitably chose to continue skiing, blissfully unaware that by evening I was to provide a revision crash course in the neuroanatomy of the foot.
ANDY – THE NEUROLOGIST
That evening a fireside examination revealed an area of exquisite tenderness just inferior and posterior to Nick’s left medial malleolus, with a clearly dysaesthetic area affecting the medial plantar surface of the foot including the great toe but not ...