After walking thousands of steps every day, pounding feet to the pavement, and cramming them into unsupportive shoes, you likely forget to give your feet and ankles the care they deserve. According to a survey, 8 out of 10 Americans experience foot and ankle problems. Ignoring proper care is one of the major reasons for feet and ankle problems.
Your hard-working feet and ankles deserve much more attention than what you give them. Fortunately, keeping your feet and ankles healthy and pain-free is surprisingly easy.
Read on to learn some tips that can help you keep your feet and ankles healthy.
Inspect Your Feet and Ankles for Problems
For optimal foot and ankle health, doctors recommend examining them daily, especially if you have diabetes. When inspecting your feet and ankles, check for any appearance changes, such as swelling, shape, and bruises. Take a good look between your toes for peeling and on the soles for scaling. If you notice any change in the shape or appearance of your feet and ankles, seek care from a foot and ankle expert.
Chose The Right Footwear
Wearing too big or too tight shoes can cause foot conditions such as corns and calluses, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuromas, and heel pain. Foot and ankle doctors recommend that when you choose footwear, think about the activity you will be doing while wearing them. For an outdoor or physically demanding activity, look for shoes that support your heels and ankles. Wearing socks with closed shoes can absorb sweat and prevent foot odor, athlete’s foot, and fungal infections.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Whatever you eat affects your body, including your feet and ankles. Calcium and vitamin D is essential for the health of your bones. If you have low calcium and vitamin D levels, you are more likely to suffer from a stress fracture and ankle fractures. Eating calcium-rich foods like dairy products and leafy green vegetables can keep your feet and ankle bones healthy and strong.
Do Foot and Ankle Workouts
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, a 30-minutes brisk walk about 5-7 times a week can improve blood circulation in your feet. You can also avoid muscle cramps by doing simple exercises and stretches, such as curling, raising, and pointing your toes for at least 5 seconds and rotating your ankles.
Keep Your Feet and Ankles Clean
Healthy feet and ankles start with good hygiene. For optimal foot and ankle health, regularly wash your feet and dry them well, even between the toes. This is because bacteria and fungi grow in warm and moist environments and can cause rashes and infections, such as athlete’s foot. Changing your socks and shoes frequently can also prevent fungal infections. Trimming nails regularly and keeping them at a certain length can prevent various toe problems.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Your feet and ankles bear all your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can lighten the burden on your feet and ankles and reduce the risk of injuries. Eating a healthy diet and exercising can help you lose extra pounds gradually.
Feet and Ankle Doctor In In Naples, FL
Caring for your feet and ankles is surprisingly easy. If you have pain or swelling in your foot or ankle, you should seek treatment before it worsens. At Joint Replacement Institute, our board-certified orthopedic experts can manage your foot or ankle condition and devise a treatment plan for fast and effective results. They can also help prevent future injuries.
Call the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida, at (239) 261-2663 today to meet with our podiatric surgeon, Dr. Weaver. You can also fill our online appointment form.
We look forward to hearing from you!
