What’s Sidelining Your Fitness Resolutions?

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It’s about this time in January that we at Texas Foot Specialists start to see patients with foot and ankle injuries related to newly started fitness and exercise routines. Before you completely abandon those New Year’s resolutions, let’s take a look at some common problems and how to resolve them so you can get back on track with your plans for getting in shape.

Too much too soon—many people start out a little too "gung ho" in an attempt to jump start a new exercise routine. If you have been inactive for a long period of time, suddenly increasing your level of activity can result in Achilles tendonitis, shin splints and even stress fractures. 

Improper footwear—foot pain that ranges from minor, such as blisters, to major such as plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia can all have as a possible cause: the shoes you are wearing to exercise. Some tips for choosing the right shoes include:

  • Pick shoes that are designed for the activity you are doing. Tennis shoes are designed differently from those for basketball or long-distance running.
  • Don’t borrow shoes from someone else. Each individual foot imprints a shoe with its own unique shape and deformities.
  • Have your feet professionally measured and buy the correct size. Shop late in the day when your feet are their most swollen and try shoes on with the socks you will wear while exercising. Take the time to walk around the store with both shoes on before finalizing your purchase.
  • If you have a chronic foot ailment, visit the podiatrist before picking out new exercise shoes. Our podiatrists, Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller, will be able to make suggestions regarding the best shoe styles to accommodate your foot problem. If a custom orthotic device is prescribed, make sure you try on new sports shoes with the device.

Wrong routine—another source of foot pain is an unsound fitness plan. When it comes to exercise routines, slow and steady is best. A good work out will include warm ups and stretches before starting. The routine itself should gradually increase in intensity and duration. There should also be rest days in between work outs.

If you can’t figure out why your new fitness routine is causing you foot or ankle pain, contact our Houston (713-664-6677), Pasadena (281-991-0600) or Sugar Land (281-242-4448) office for an appointment today.