/assets/images/provider/photos/2745435.jpeg)
Almost everyone has stubbed a toe, rolled an ankle, or bruised a heel. Thankfully, those acute foot injuries tend to resolve quickly and with conservative care.
But what about chronic foot pain that won’t go away?
We classify foot pain as chronic if you’ve experienced symptoms for six months or longer. To reveal the underlying cause, one of our first steps is to dive into your lifestyle.
In this blog, Dr. Stephan Giambi and our team at Feet First Institute of Beavercreek highlight a few of the most common foot health blunders that lead to or worsen chronic foot pain conditions.
Your shoes aren’t right
All too often, we sacrifice comfort and foot health in the name of fashion. That stylish pair of pumps might get you a ton of love on social media, but your feet ultimately pay the price.
That’s why we recommend avoiding (or at least significantly limiting) wearing narrow-toed and high-heeled shoes. Crushing your toes into ill-fitting shoes and forcing your feet in an unnatural angle can lead to many painful foot health problems, including bunions, blisters, and plantar fasciitis.
Wearing the wrong type of shoe for physical activity also causes and exacerbates foot pain. That’s why there are shoes specifically designed to handle the stress of long-distance running, the cutting motions of basketball, and the rocky terrain of a hiking trail. Whatever your preferred activity is, make sure you have a pair of shoes to match it.
Your shoes are old
Your shoes should fit comfortably, provide adequate support, and they shouldn’t outstay their welcome.
Every pair of shoes gradually loses some of their arch support and cushioning as they age, which can trigger pain in your feet (and even cause hip, back, and knee pain).
We recommend replacing your shoes every 500 miles, earlier if you’re a long-distance runner or spend a lot of time on your feet.
You’re carrying excess weight
Maintaining a healthy weight goes a long way in supporting foot health and keeping pain at bay. When you walk, your feet absorb 3 pounds of force for every pound of body weight; when you run, this force increases to 7 pounds.
If you’re carrying excess weight, the delicate system of bones, tendons, and ligaments in your feet wears down faster than it should, which can lead to chronic foot pain.
Your workouts are to blame
Running, basketball, and other high-impact activities are great for your cardiovascular health, but they can take a toll on your feet. Try mixing in low-impact activities to give your feet a break.
You don’t have a solid foot hygiene routine
Your feet need TLC just like any other part of your body, and if you’re not careful, neglecting foot hygiene could cause a small problem to turn into a chronic issue. To keep your feet in tip-top shape, we recommend:
- Keeping your feet clean and dry
- Replacing wet socks
- Applying lotion to the bottoms and tops of your feet (not in between your toes)
- Wearing shoes in public areas
- Inspecting your feet for cuts, blisters, sores, and scratches
- Trimming nails carefully
These hygiene strategies are especially important if you have an underlying health condition like diabetes. With diabetes, the smallest scratch can develop into a slow or nonhealing wound.
You haven’t seen a podiatrist
Whether or not your lifestyle is foot-friendly, you should always know where to turn for help when the worst happens. We offer a wide range of treatments for virtually every cause of foot pain. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from:
- Custom orthotics
- Steroid injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Physical therapy
- Casting or splinting for broken bones
- Removal of corns, callus, and/or warts
Dr. Giambi can also perform traditional open and minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery if your foot condition is advanced.
Chronic foot pain doesn’t have to haunt your steps any longer. Schedule a consultation with our expert podiatrist, and we’ll walk you through the best practices for avoiding foot pain and create a customized treatment plan to help you walk away from foot pain for good.
Call or click to make an appointment at our Beavercreek, Ohio, office today.