Kelly Osbourne was overwhelmed with pain and emotion last night after her performance on Dancing With The Stars…  and for good reason.  Over the weekend, Kelly posted on Twitter about her excruciating pain, and may face foot surgery:

“I have flat feet and dancing has given me really bad bunions. I have danced and practiced so much the passed 14 weeks that they were so swollen I have been unable to walk properly in a week but in the last 2 days its been so bad”

Kelly posted this picture yesterday (OUCH!) of her getting a cortisone injection in her foot, and the dedicated dancer is postponing any type of foot surgery until after the show ends.  Unfortunately, the results of the cortisone shot are only temporary.  James Richter, Certified Pedorthist and Owner of two Foot Solutions stores in Southern California, elaborates on Kelly’s foot pain:

“Cortisone shots are intended to reduce and relieve the inflammation in the joint with the pain. The results are temporary and the longevity of the relief varies with each individual – but it is commonly 1-3 months.  Some get no relief, others may get up to 6 or more months.  Regardless, the injection just relieves the symptoms and doesn’t address the cause.”

There’s still hope! With Kelly’s flat feet and bunions, an arch support would better prevent some of the improper biomechanical forces acting on the joint and improve pressure distribution across the foot. Whether she has an injury that requires surgery or not, arch supports should help. Also, to the extent possible, eliminating the high heels that increase pressure on the injured joint is also recommended.  (That’s a hint to all the ladies in love with their stilettos- trust me… they aren’t worth the pain and suffering!)

You may not be a star dancer on the hit TV  show, but if you’re feeling similar pain in your feet, follow these tips to get you back on your feet…pain free!

• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) can be done with no downside and probable relief.
• Assuring correct shoe fit in the forefoot should be done.
• Lastly, a stiff forefoot shoe or an insert or modification in the shoe to reduce forefoot flex may be helpful.

Best of luck Kelly with your foot pain- we’re rooting for you!