Your feet and ankles are essentially where much of your everyday movement begins. They are responsible for many crucial functions, such as providing your entire body with stability, support, and balance. A problem, such as an injury, in just your foot or ankle can cause problems in the upper structures of your body, particularly your knee, hip, and lower back—an anatomical concept referred to as kinetic chain.
However, it may not just stop there. A foot or ankle injury can also have repercussions on your health, quality of life, and overall well-being. Read on to learn about them.
Puts a Damper on Your Exercise Routine
Exercise is vital to your overall health. Going for a walk or a jog, or attending your yoga class is apparently less likely when you’re recovering from a foot or ankle injury. You will need to protect your injured foot or ankle and keep it immobilized for some time as you heal. While there are exercises you can do in the meantime, an injury can still limit you from having a well-rounded fitness routine, which can eventually cause you to gain weight. Weight gain, if left unmitigated, consequently increases your risk of developing health problems.
May Take a Toll on Your Mental Health
Just like sustaining an injury to any other part of your body, having a foot or ankle injury can take a toll on your mental health. It can be hard to not be able to do the things you used to do. If you’re an athlete, your sports performance is tied to your athletic identity, and it can be emotionally traumatizing being sidelined by an injury. If you’ve injured your foot or ankle at work, you may worry about it affecting both your productivity and earning capacity. If you’re in your golden years, you may feel scared about losing your independence.
Anxiety, panic attacks, and depression are mental issues that people with foot or ankle injuries can experience.
Can Increase Your Risk of Developing a Chronic Problem
Leaving a foot or ankle problem untreated increases your risk of developing chronic issues in the long run. For instance, refusing to seek treatment for a sprained ankle can make you susceptible to chronic instability. This is because, without appropriate medical intervention, torn ligaments can fuse haphazardly and develop inflexible scar tissue.
Other chronic issues that can arise from an untreated ankle include early-onset osteoarthritis and gait problems.
First-Rate Foot and Ankle Care in South Texas
A foot or ankle injury can feel like the end of the world especially for people who live an active lifestyle—but for not for you, if you seek the expertise of one of our highly credentialed podiatrists here at The Podiatry Group of South Texas. We strive to deliver the best possible treatment outcome for your injury, no matter how complex, and provide you with all the support you need, so you can have a comfortable, speedy, and successful recovery.
Call our podiatry clinic nearest you or use our online request form to schedule a consltation with one of our podiatrists. We have several locations throughout South Texas: in San Antonio, Boerne, Floresville, Hondo, Kenedy, and Live Oak.
