Athletes understand the importance of keeping their feet and ankles healthy, and as we get older, the rest of us do, too. As with most everything in the body, the key to staying healthy is prevention, which means being proactive with your health.
Keeping your feet and ankles healthy is an investment that is worth making. The time and effort you put into taking good care of your feet will have great payoffs, and you may never know exactly what you’re doing for yourself – other than avoiding developing arthritis and foot pain.
Here are a few tips for how to take good care of your feet and ankles, and where you can go in San Antonio and South Texas for outstanding podiatry care.
Wear Supportive Shoes
Wearing comfortable, supportive, activity-appropriate shoes are one of the best things you can do for your feet and ankles.
Important features of good shoes include:
- Insoles that support the arches
- Soles that absorb the force of your heel every time it hits the ground
- Good ankle support that can prevent unnecessary movements, such as rolling, which can result in a sprain or fracture
Replace Worn-Out Shoes
It’s important to replace your shoes as soon as they begin to become worn down along the base. Don’t wait for your shoes to develop holes!
If you start to feel pain in your heel, your shoes may be losing their supportive cushioning. Plus, since shoes absorb impact and distribute your body weight, wearing worn-out shoes may cause you to experience knee pain and lower back pain.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight puts extra pressure on your feet and ankles. You could develop Achilles tendonitis in the back of your leg, near the heel; plantar fasciitis across the base of your foot, causing heel pain; or a repetitive-stress ankle sprain (ligament injury) – all due to the extra downward stress being placed on your feet with every step you take. Indeed, your feet and ankles absorb as much as 120% of your body weight when you walk.
Do Foot and Ankle Stretches Regularly
To maintain the strength of the muscles supporting the feet and ankles, it is recommended to perform foot and ankle stretches every day. Even simple foot and ankle stretches are beneficial: Wiggle your toes, rotate your feet at the ankles, and gently pull your toes back with your hand.
See Your Foot and Ankle Doctor in San Antonio, TX
Our foot and ankle doctors at The Podiatry Group of South Texas offer a range of podiatry services, from treating common foot conditions and sports injuries to providing pediatric foot care and diabetic foot care. Our podiatrists are highly experienced and can use a combination of nonsurgical and surgical treatments, based on your diagnosis and level of injury or tissue damage.
Let our foot and ankle doctors respond to your issue with actionable solutions to get you back in step. Call our podiatry clinic nearest you or fill out our convenient appointment request form online now. Let us help you maintain excellent foot and ankle health!
