Oftentimes when we get bad advice, we’re not much worse off because of it. Maybe your commute took a few extra minutes because you followed a co-worker’s travel advice, or you don’t love the new haircut you receive as a recommendation from your barber. However, some bad advice can be quite costly, and that’s certainly true when it comes to your feet. In today’s blog, we debunk some myths about foot injuries and treatment that can actually be harmful if followed.
These Foot Myths Can Hurt You
Let’s look at some advice that we’ve heard over the years that can actually do more harm than good for your feet if you’re not careful.
1. “Just Walk It Off” – We’ve heard this line time and time again when it comes to ankle sprains. Just walk it off for a few minutes and it will feel better. Pain tends to be at its peak at the moment of injury, so it should be expected that it will start to feel a little better minutes and hours after the initial injury. However, walking it off or continuing to play through a sprain can increase your risk of a more severe sprain or a more serious injury like a fracture. Instead of walking it off, really evaluate your sprain and determine if ice and gentle stretching would be a better option.
2. “Foot Pain Is Normal As You Get Older” – Foot pain may become more likely as you get older and your feet start to show the signs of decades of stress, but know that foot pain is never “normal.” Don’t assume that foot pain just comes with the territory of getting older. Be proactive in your care of new or worsening foot pain, because left untreated, it’s likely only going to get worse.
3. “There’s Always Surgery” – Don’t just assume that any and all problems can eventually be corrected with a surgical procedure. When conditions progress to a certain point, there’s no guarantee that surgery will be able to achieve the desired outcome. Moreover, you may no longer be eligible for surgery given your age, health and individual risk profile. Surgery can be a wonderful option to address a wide range of foot issues, but don’t assume that you’ll always have it in your back pocket as a surefire treatment option.
4. “Just Rest It” – Don’t get us wrong, rest can be an incredibly helpful part of a comprehensive treatment plan, but don’t let it be the only thing you do for your feet. Rest should be paired with proactive interventions like physical therapy or low-impact exercise for best results. Rest isn’t going to get you back to a pre-injury level of strength and function, so don’t let rest be the main focus of your treatment plan.
5. “Foot Problems Run In The Family” – We’re not saying that foot conditions don’t sometimes have a genetic component, but don’t assume that you are doomed to deal with the same issues that your parents are dealing with. It’s more likely that your mom’s bunion is caused by poor-fitting shoes, not a family predisposition. If you know certain conditions seemingly run in your family, take proactive steps to address them. For example, if many family members have flat feet or high arches, wear orthotic inserts to help stress be better dispersed across your foot. There are plenty of ways you can work to avoid some conditions that seem to run in your family.
For actual advice from a real orthopaedic surgeon, reach out to Dr. Silverman and his team today!