We put a lot of stress and strain on our feet, so it’s no surprise that they are prone to injury. Some people seem to suffer foot injuries much more often than others, while others seem to be pretty lucky when it comes to their foot health. Are these people actually more lucky, or is there an actual science behind ideal foot health? Below, we explain why avoiding foot and ankle injuries isn’t about luck.
Keeping Your Feet Healthy
If you want to reduce your risk of suffering a foot or ankle injury, don’t just cross your fingers and hope it happens. Here’s what you’ll want to do to reduce your risk of suffering foot and ankle injuries:
1. Right Shoe For The Job – It’s important to have a shoe that fits appropriately, but you’ll also want to ensure that your shoes are designed for the tasks you’ll be undertaking. If you’ll be doing a lot of walking or standing, a sandal or a high heel isn’t the best option. Make sure that you are in a comfortable and supportive shoe that’s designed for the activities you’ll be performing the most.
2. Vary Your Exercise – Exercise is great for your feet, but it’s a good idea to vary your exercise routines so that you’re not always stressing your feet with high impact activities. You may like to run, but don’t make every exercise routine a long run. Swim some laps at the pool or do a lifting routine to give your legs some rest between your lower body-focused workouts. This will help you avoid overstress injuries.
3. Prioritize Rest And Recovery – As we alluded to in the above tip, overstress injuries are a common way to injure your feet. It’s imperative that you give them enough time to recover from the strenuous activities of the day. Athletes who participate in sports year round or runners who ramp up their mileage or distance too quickly are at risk of overstressing their feet and ankles and developing an injury. Adequate recovery is crucial for athletes and everyday Americans who want ideal foot health.
4. Check, Clean, Care – Not all foot injuries are the result of acute or chronic stress. Other injuries can develop as a result of poor foot hygiene or inadequate wound management. Give your feet a quick 10 second check in the morning or while you’re getting in or out of the shower to look for signs of an issue you should care for. Any wounds, moles or rashes that have developed or changed in appearance should be proactively managed to avoid a more serious issue. Regularly check and clean your feet to help prevent injuries.
5. Treat New Problems – Finally, make it a point to treat new symptoms or problems before they snowball into a major concern. If your ankle feels weak or your big toe joint begins to feel uncomfortable, don’t just ignore the warning signs your body is sending out. You may not need to head into a doctor’s office at the first sign of an issue, but don’t just ignore it and hope it goes away on its own, because there’s a good chance that will only lead to worsening symptoms. Make it a point to proactively treat any new foot issues that you’re dealing with so they don’t lead to a severe injury down the road.
For more tips on how to keep your feet healthy, search around on Dr. Silverman’s blog or reach out to his office today!