Yes! Considering the fact that your feet and ankles carry your entire body weight through your daily activities, it is no surprise that obesity or being overweight can lead to myriads of foot and ankle problems, such as ankle pain.
Let us talk about ankle pain, how obesity is linked to it, and where you can go in south Texas to find an outstanding primary doctor specializing in ankle pain.
What Is Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain is a type of pain or discomfort affecting any part of your ankle, including the tendon or joint connecting the lower leg bone to the foot bone.
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Sprains: A common cause of ankle pain is a sprained ankle resulting from the inflammation of your ankle ligaments. An ankle sprain happens when your ankle forcefully rolls out of its normal position due to uneven weight distribution. Obesity increases your risk for ankle sprain by putting additional strain on ankle ligaments.
- Tendonitis: Tendonitis is a painful condition caused by tendon inflammation and might need surgical repair. Excessive weight gain can put extra pressure on your tendon and cause inflammation or tendon tear –also known as Achilles tendon rupture. As such, the tendon loses its ability to provide stability and support the arch.
- Fractures: Overweight or obese people are more prone to ankle fracture than nonobese individuals are. Obesity increases the torque on your ankle, thus increasing the risk for musculoskeletal injury, including ankle fracture. An ankle fracture can range from a tiny crack in one bone to breaking two or more bones.
Relationship between Weight and Ankle Pain
Extra pounds put an additional strain on the tendons, bones, and ligaments of your ankle. Ankle joints are flexible and weight-bearing joints that tend to show early discomfort than any other joint upon weight gain.
Obesity can interfere with the normal functioning of your ankle, leading to ankle pain. Obesity is also associated with the gait changes, imposing a mechanical issue in the ankle.
Losing Weight Help with Ankle Pain
There is convincing evidence that every extra pound on your body could translate into five extra pounds of strain on your ankles. Therefore, losing weight can significantly reduce pressure and strain on your ankle joint. It can also reduce the risk of ankle pain.
Ankle Specialist in San Antonio TX
If you have ankle pain, from a mild sprain to severe as an ankle fracture, visit us at The Podiatry Group of South Texas. Our board-certified and experienced podiatrist serves patients with foot and ankle problems at 14 different locations in Southern Texas.
Our podiatry experts are committed to providing top-notch medical care for your foot and ankle related problems.
If you want to learn more about ankle pain, contact us today at (210) 227-8700 or fill out our Appointment Request Form.
