Preventing Foot Injuries: Tips for Proper Foot Care and Injury Avoidance
If you experience a foot injury, it can dramatically impact your quality of life. Depending on the injury, foot injuries can lead to loss of mobility, inability to drive, lost work, and other consequences. You can do a lot to prevent foot injuries and keep your feet protected. Your podiatrist can help.
What You Can Do To Take Care of Your Feet
You may experience a foot injury due to playing a sport, being in an accident, dropping something heavy on your foot, and many other causes. That’s why it’s important to:
- Wear appropriate shoes for the activity you are doing
- Wear protective, supportive shoes and avoid going barefoot
- Try to walk on even ground in well-lit areas
- Clear your floors of objects you might trip over
In addition to protecting your feet, your feet also need regular care. Remember to:
- Wash your feet with mild soap and warm water every day
- Examine your feet every day for any cuts, blisters, or lacerations
- Apply antibiotic cream to any open sores or injuries
- Bandage any open injuries to prevent infection
- Apply lotion to your feet and ankles to keep your skin from drying and cracking
- Trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails
You should also visit your podiatrist at least once each year for a foot examination, and more often if you have a chronic medical condition affecting your feet, toes, or ankles. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis need to be carefully monitored by your podiatrist. These conditions and others can result in damage to your feet, ankles, and toes, including:
- Delayed healing
- Loss of nerve sensation
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Inadequate blood flow
- Joint and bone damage
When you visit your podiatrist regularly, small issues can be identified and treated, so they don’t get worse.
Want To Know More?
To find out more about how to prevent foot injuries and take care of your feet, talk with our podiatrist today.
