Walking is a complicated process for our body: every step you take requires 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons working together in unison. Even the smallest injury can make a big impact on your day-to-day life.
“I see a variety of foot and ankle problems ranging from sprains, broken bones, deformities, arthritis and tendonitis,” said Jan Veloso, DPM, podiatrist at CHI Saint Joseph Health – Orthopedics. “If I were to pick the three most common concerns I treat, they would be ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis and bunions.”
Invest in proper shoes. “It is important to wear properly fitting shoes and shoes that have proper support,” Dr. Veloso said. “It is OK to wear more fashionable shoes such as flats, heels and sandals, but moderation is key.”
Also, if you are starting a new workout or exercise, pace yourself and remember to stretch beforehand. “I typically see an increase in the number of foot and ankle injuries in the spring,” Dr. Veloso said. “The weather gets nicer and people are motivated to get healthy, and they may do too much too soon.”
While many foot and ankle conditions can be treated conservatively, sometimes surgical treatment is necessary. If that’s the case, don’t put it off or your problem could get worse.
“As a general guideline for when to consider surgical intervention, ask yourself: Is my pain level over a 5 out of 10? Is my pain or condition affecting my quality of life? Is my pain or condition affecting my activities of daily living? If you answer yes to these three questions and you have exhausted conservative care treatment, then it may be time to consider surgical options,” Dr. Veloso said.
Foot problems keeping you down? Visit our find a provider tool to find an orthopedist.
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