Common Foot Injuries And How To Avoid Them

Be it walking, running, or cycling, our feet support a variety of workouts that enable us to stay active and healthy. But unfortunately, not many of us engage in proper foot care. And as a result, the feet often have to endure a lot - making them more susceptible to injuries.

If left untreated, such injuries can even hinder our daily functioning. To avoid this, it's essential to understand what causes foot and ankle injuries and how you can prevent them. This article will cover some of the most common foot injuries you may face, along with some practical tips to avoid them. Read on!

Some Common Foot Injuries

Sprained Ankle

Ankle sprains are easily one of the most common foot injuries faced by people - irrespective of their age and level of daily activity. This type of injury occurs when the ligaments that support the foot are stretched beyond their limits and are torn. Common symptoms of a sprained ankle issue include pain, difficulty in walking, and swelling. The degree of pain can vary - it depends on the number of ligaments affected and to what extent.

While minor sprains heal quickly without requiring medical attention, it's best to consult a doctor if you are suffering from severe pain and swelling for prolonged periods. Without treatment, your ankle can get weakened, leading to further issues in the long term.

Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves usually occur when a nerve in the foot comes under pressure from surrounding tissues. There may be several causes, including obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, continuous stress from repetitive work, etc. The main symptoms include numbness, tingling sensations, pain, and weakness.

Unless the condition is too severe, you would recover from such injuries through self-care and getting enough rest. But, if left untreated, a pinched nerve can even cause permanent foot deformity.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures occur in the feet due to repetitive stress from certain activities. These are minute cracks within the bones of your feet. While many causes can lead to this condition, the major ones include strenuous activities or following improper techniques while exercising. In addition, wearing ill-fitting shoes or sneakers can also increase the risk of such injuries. Common symptoms include pain or tenderness in specific spots, which may worsen with time.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common condition that results in stabbing pain in the heels, thereby making walking difficult. It arises from the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes. Factors like obesity, poor footwear choices, prolonged periods of standing, and strenuous exercise can increase your risk of developing this condition.

Achilles Tendonitis

The achilles tendon is the band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. High-impact exercises can inflame or irritate the tendon, resulting in Achilles tendonitis, a painful condition. Doctors usually suggest some self-care strategies depending on the state of the patient. In severe cases, a doctor may need to repair the damage surgically.

Tips To Avoid Common Foot Injuries

Now that you know the most frequent and common types of foot injuries, you might wonder how to avoid them. First, look at the tips you can follow to protect your feet from such injuries.

• Avoid overworking yourself: Make sure to take time to warm up before engaging in any sports activity. Also, take it slow when it comes to working out - a sudden increase in your daily workout can put undue stress on your feet, increasing the risk of injuries.

• Exercise on flat surfaces: Rocky, uneven surfaces aren’t the best choice for walking or running if you want to avoid foot and ankle injuries. Try sticking to softer, even surfaces when exercising unless you are an athlete training for a race.

• Choose the proper footwear: Many standard foot injuries result from wearing unsuitable footwear. You should wear comfortable shoes or sneakers that offer good arch support, especially when engaging in any exercise. Also, replace your shoes when they wear out.

Summing Up

As you can conclude from this article, common foot problems can be reality avoided by following a few simple steps. And the easiest among these is wearing the right sneakers for your foot type and activity level.

The Sneakers Uae app by Nike is among the best sources for browsing the different types of sneakers offered by the brand and learning about all the new sneaker launches. If finding the best sneakers is your goal, then this app is all you need! You can also visit the leading UAE sneaker marketplace to shop for the perfect sneakers to keep your feet happy and free from injuries.