Podiatry is a fascinating form of medicine. The feet and ankles are complex structures that are impacted by so many things. Our job as podiatrists is to help patients feel better by figuring out what is having a negative impact on their feet and ankles. Believe it or not, the major culprit is sometimes a patient’s lifestyle choices.
Your first visit to a foot and ankle clinic – perhaps any of the three Foot & Ankle Associates clinics in northeast Illinois – would include plenty of questions from clinic staff. They are not trying to pry into your life. But they need to know if the discomfort you are feeling could be related to certain lifestyle choices.
Your Daily Footwear Could Be a Concern
Among all the lifestyle choices that lead people to make an appointment with the local foot and ankle clinic is the choice of daily footwear. Shoes play a key role in protecting the feet from the surfaces we walk on. But shoes play another role: supporting the feet as they bear the entire weight of the body.
Certain types of footwear do not provide adequate support. Other types of footwear are actually counterproductive to the support concept. For example, high-heeled shoes and those that fit too tightly can lead to foot and ankle problems, including bursitis and ankle pain.
When footwear choices are the prime culprit, a foot and ankle specialist will recommend choosing new footwear. Comfortable shoes that provide adequate support are the obvious choice.
Overuse Could Also Be a Concern
Another lifestyle choice seen frequently in foot and ankle clinics is taking part in activities that strain joints, tendons, and muscles. You essentially have a situation in which the feet and ankles are being overused.
People who spend all day on their feet at work are good candidates for foot and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, work is work. If your job entails standing on your feet for extended amounts of time, there is little you can do about it other than being careful about your footwear and talking to the boss about the possibility of getting off your feet every now and again.
Along those same lines are patients who regularly exercise. Daily exercise is absolutely a good thing. But certain exercises, like running and tennis, subject the feet and ankles to a lot of wear and tear. Athletes and weekend warriors alike are more susceptible to stress fractures, strained ligaments, and so forth.
Excess Weight Is Yet Another Concern
Daily footwear and overuse can cause foot and ankle problems on their own. Excess weight exacerbates both, as this weight puts additional stress on the joints. It forces muscles, ligaments, and tendons to work harder. It all adds up to a situation that’s not so good.
Losing weight can certainly help. Less weight on the ankles and feet reduces the burden they bear. It also reduces the stress placed on the joints, allowing them to work more efficiently with less risk of injury. And of course, losing weight is good for a person’s overall health and wellbeing.
Come See Us at Beyond Podiatry
Lifestyle choices are not the only cause of foot and ankle pain. But when they are, the solutions are as simple as can be. Making a few changes here and there can permanently alleviate pain in the feet and ankles. If you are experiencing chronic or recurring foot and ankle pain, consulting a podiatrist is a necessary step to getting treatment.
If foot or ankle pain is bothering you, visit us at Beyond Podiatry. Our experienced and compassionate podiatrists are ready and waiting to help you. Together, we’ll figure it out and get you on the path to better foot health.
