5 Ways to Avoid Foot Problems in the New Year
Are you ready to dive into an exciting new year? Foot pain can derail your plans in a hurry. However, there are preventative measures to ensure good foot health throughout 2023. Here are our top five suggestions:
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
Duh? Not so fast. Not everyone who showers daily actually leans over and soaps their feet. It’s not enough to let water flow over them. Feet sweat a lot, so remember to wash them with soap every day and dry them thoroughly. Wear clean socks and, to avoid fungal infections, change them if they become damp. - Wear shoes that fit well.
This may seem like another “no, duh!” piece of advice, but you’d be surprised how many people walk around in shoes that are too small. Too-tight shoes make bunions worse. They cause painful calluses, pinched nerves, arch pain, blisters, hammertoes, and other toe deformities. Similarly, shoes that are too big can cause blisters and, even worse, can cause you to trip and fall. There’s much to say about limiting your time in high heels, too. - Get moving.
Make exercise a part of your daily routine. Exercising not only helps strengthen your foot and ankle muscles, but it also wards off the unwanted pounds that stress out your feet. Make sure to wear athletic shoes designed for your chosen sport. - Fix problems sooner rather than later.
Foot and ankle issues are likely to worsen and become harder to heal when you ignore them. - Control your blood sugar.
Avoiding diabetic foot problems starts with keeping your blood glucose in check by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
“Should old acquaintance be forgot?” Not if foot problems crop up in this new year. Re-acquaint yourselves with our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder. We can help you with any foot or ankle issue so you can walk, run, and move better in 2023. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
