For the past year, many of us have been inside. As we gradually return to normal, people are back to being active, exercising outdoors, and enjoying summer. With this sudden return to activity, there has been an increase in foot and ankle injuries — after remaining sedentary, lack of movement and walking barefoot can weaken the muscles and tendons in the foot, making you more prone to damage when you return to being active. Our podiatrist in Milwaukee, WI, explains more here.
Don’t Overlook Your Shoes
As you return to exercising, whether in the gym or outdoors, don’t forget to wear proper shoes! Ensure that your shoes fit well, offer good arch support, and are appropriate for the exercise or sport in which you’re participating. This will help protect your feet and ankles from strain and prevent injury.
Stretching & Exercise
In addition to wearing well-fitting shoes, you should switch up your exercise routine to prevent overuse injury. For example, don’t go fully back to running each day. Instead, ease into it and alternate with walking. Additionally, stretch fully before and after to ensure you don’t develop plantar fasciitis or heel pain.
Complications
If you don’t take the proper steps when returning to activity, you may end up with foot and ankle conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis. Inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, which can lead to heel pain.
- Achilles tendonitis. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can lead to difficulty walking.
- Shin splints. Painful irritation of the shins.
In some instances, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis can become so severe that they require surgery. However, taking the proper precautions and wearing the right footwear can help prevent them in the first place!
Contact Our Podiatrist in Milwaukee, WI, for More Information!
To find out more, contact our New Berlin office at 262-821-1588 or our Wauwatosa office at 414-257-0676. Our friendly team will answer any questions you may have about foot care or scheduling a consultation.