Pandemic Foot Pain

Exercise is good for you, but doctors have seen an increase in foot/ankle injuries of over 25% due to the pandemic. With gym and office closures, “people had to adapt their daily routines. Many began running outdoors or purchased exercise equipment to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” states Kshitij Manchanda, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at UT Southwestern Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. According to a Washington Post article, purchases of health/fitness equipment have doubled; treadmill sales rose 135%. While that is positive, the increase in activity has caused injuries and stress fractures in the heel, toe, and arch. In addition, people are exposing their feet by going barefoot, which has led to infections.

Prevention is key:

• Wear supportive shoes
• Don’t go barefoot
• Monitor skin
• Wash feet with soap daily
• Moisturize feet
• Warm-up before exercising

 

Read the press release.

Other Categories:

• exercise

• orthopedics

• wound care