Will Foot and Other Injuries Keep Nadal Out of the U.S. Open?
At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know many of our Manhattan patients who are tennis fans are looking forward to the U.S. Open in just a few weeks. A big question on fans’ minds is, will number 3 in the world, Rafael Nadel, be playing? He recently pulled out of the Open tune-up event in Montreal due to an abdominal strain injury he has been struggling with since Wimbledon. No stranger to sports injuries, Nadal has also suffered from a rare podiatric condition since the beginning of his career.
Mueller-Weiss Syndrome
This is a condition that results in excruciating pain in the arch on the inside of the mid and hindfoot. It occurs because the navicular bone on the back of the foot loses its blood supply and literally begins to die. It can cause the bone to flatten and potentially disintegrate and fragment. Mueller-Weiss Syndrome is more serious in people who put excessive strain on their feet—and Nadal certainly checks that box. It's a progressive condition and patients who have it can suffer from severe pain, develop flat feet when the arch collapses, and may eventually be left with disfigured feet.
What Doctors Know and Don’t Know about Mueller-Weiss Syndrome
Here’s what is known about this condition:
It most often affects people aged 40-60
Women are more susceptible than men
It can be present in one or both feet—Nadal only has it in his left foot
The biggest unknown is the cause. Likely suspects are a birth defect, a trauma to the foot that compressed the lesser tarsus bones found in the midfoot, or a vascular dysfunction that causes the blood supply to the area to be cut off. There are, however, some factors that increase a person’s risk of developing Mueller-Weiss Syndrome:
Having flatfeet
A stress fracture in the foot
Being overweight
Tricky to Diagnose
Since it is so rare, Mueller-Weiss Syndrome is often misdiagnosed. Midfoot pain, swelling, tenderness on the top of the foot, arch pain, and trouble walking are the main symptoms, but these can point to other podiatric conditions as well.
Whether you’re a tennis pro or just a weekend athlete, however, it’s important to not delay getting foot pain evaluated. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or other foot or ankle problems, make an appointment at our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 as soon as possible so our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia and Dr. Kristina Ruff can perform the necessary diagnostic tests and determine the source of your foot problem and get you back in the game.
Here’s hoping Nadel is healthy enough to compete in the U.S. Open 2022!