LeBron James‘ feet require expensive and specialized care, including custom shoes and orthotics, and regular visits to a podiatrist, according to Marion Yau, an award-winning podiatrist. The Los Angeles Lakers star has deformities on his left foot, including overlapping toes that can cause pressure, dead skin, and eventually ulceration.
He could also experience foot pain and functional difficulties due to moderate hallux abductor valgus. Yau estimates James may spend around $7,000 monthly on foot care, totaling $84,000 annually.
Although James wears good shoes, has orthotics, and good podiatric care, he suffered a right foot injury during the second half of a game on February 26. He played through the injury, which could have further inflamed the foot.
LeBron will need to rest for several weeks
He may need to rehab the injury for several weeks, doing exercises to support ligaments and muscles in his right ankle. His age and overall foot health are critical as he plans to bring his team to the playoffs.
Yau, who talks to the U.S. Sun, thinks the injury could have been avoided if James had come off the court and received treatment immediately: “Usually if you hear a pop in the foot then it might be worth checking no major tendons or ligaments are damaged,” she said.
The expert emphasized the importance of taking care of his left foot’s deformities, which require regular treatment to reduce thick skin buildup that can cause skin deadness and eventually ulceration. Yau suggests scalpel treatment to remove the hard skin, and toe tattooing to regain lost pigmentation.
James’ previous ankle injury in February also requires regular treatment such as taping, massages, orthotics changes, and rehabilitation. Yau notes that the scan on the left ankle at that time showed no issue, but the injury could take time to recover fully compared to previous years.
“As people age the skin becomes thinner, you get infections a bit easier, and wound healing’s delayed,” she said. She advises patients with deformities like James’ to visit a podiatrist every six to eight weeks.