Ease Your Foot And Ankle Arthritis This Summer!

Choose the Right Footwear

If you have arthritis in your feet, ankles, or even your knees and hips, you might be surprised at how big of a difference shoes can make in your life.

The right pair of shoes will provide proper support for the arch and ample cushioning for your heel, reducing the amount of weight and pressure shouldered by aching and arthritis joints. A good pair of shoes will also give the toes plenty of room to wiggle, rather than being cramped into a pointy or narrow toe box.

Of course, in the summertime you might prefer to ditch your closed-toed shoes entirely and throw on a pair of sandals. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, you do need to be careful.

Cheap flip flops, for example, can be extremely hard on arthritic feet. They offer barely any support or shock absorption, and they can even force you to alter your entire gait pattern just so they don’t flop right off your feet!

Instead, look for sandals with foot-friendly features. Built-in arch support and cushioning is a must, as are adjustable straps (especially around the back of the ankle) that allow you to perfect the fit and secure the sandal to your feet.

Stretch and Exercise Your Feet and Legs Daily 

Now, no amount of exercise is going to restore missing cartilage. But healthy exercise is still extremely valuable for arthritis sufferers for many reasons:

• It strengthens the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support and move the joint. This allows these softer tissues to support the bones in your joint better and reduce the amount of stress on the joint itself.
• It builds bone strength and density within the joint, so they can better withstand whatever stresses aren’t dissipated by softer tissues.
• It improves flexibility and mobility in the joint, allowing you to reduce stiffness and enjoy greater pain-free range of motion.
• It boosts your energy and stamina and helps you control your weight better.
• You’ll get a better night’s sleep.

Even though you might be afraid that too much exercise will aggravate your arthritic joints, the truth is that well chosen exercises will improve your symptoms—not make them worse.

Gently stretch your feet, toes, and calves daily, as well as before and after exercise. If you’re troubled by foot pain, it’s a good idea to go easy on your joints and emphasize low-impact workouts in your routine. Walking, swimming, water exercises, and cycling are all good sources of cardio that stress your joints much less than, say, running or playing tennis.

Surgery may be an option for severe arthritis that doesn’t respond to any other treatments, though we will always work hard to get your joints working and get you moving using conservative treatment options whenever possible.

If joint pain in your feet and ankles is getting in the way of enjoying your summer activities, give Sierra Foot & Ankle a call today at (775) 783-8037. You can also request an appointment online.