Spring is around the corner! If you haven’t participated in many outdoor activities due to the winter weather, you’re probably excited to go outside for a run, jog, or return to playing sports. If that sounds like you, know that going out and being active after an extended period of inactivity can cause foot problems, especially if you don’t have supportive exercise shoes! Thankfully, our Wauwatosa heel pain specialist has steps you can take to keep your feet pain-free.
What Causes Foot Problems?
After being inactive for a period, rapidly picking up sports or running outside can stress your feet and heels. Contact with hard surfaces, like concrete, and more variation in elevation can cause pain and the following conditions:
- Plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the thick muscle that connects the heel to the ball of the foot.
- Achilles tendinitis — an overuse injury that causes inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel to the calf. This condition can also cause ankle pain.
- Stress fracture — a small fracture in any of the bones in the feet and ankles.
How To Choose Shoes
It is essential to choose shoes that support the plantar fascia and heels and avoid flip flops, which offer little to no arch support. When you’re shopping for athletic shoes, make sure that the middle of the shoe supports your arches, and the back of the shoes should grip your heels as you walk. If you play a specific sport, consider getting shoes that are designed especially for that sport. Always try on shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are largest.
If Your Feet Hurt
If you experience foot or ankle pain after returning to exercise, you should follow R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. Stay off your feet for a while, apply ice to the painful area, use a compression band, and elevate the foot. Before returning to exercise, practice foot stretches and make sure to ease back in to avoid future issues. Don’t hesitate to contact our podiatrist for an evaluation if you continue to experience foot pain!
Contact Our Wauwatosa Heel Pain Specialist Today!
If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Milwaukee Foot & Ankle Specialists, with a convenient podiatry office located in Wauwatosa by calling (414) 246-9575 or by clicking here.