We may be getting out of the house a little more than we did a few months ago, but the fact remains that we are still spending a lot more time at home as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.
Our efforts to avoid the virus, along with lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, and school closings, means that our homes are now playing the roles of offices, classrooms, and gyms all at once.
But while staying home can help keep coronavirus at bay, all that time staying inside and in one place can lead to unexpected problems with your feet and ankles.
One of the upsides of working from home is the luxury of wearing whatever you want.
After all, those Zoom meetings only show you from the waist up, if that. But wearing what you want also means not wearing what you don’t want to. For many folks, this means not wearing shoes.
When your commute is just to the next room, your gym is in the basement, and you otherwise spend lots of time within your home, shoes are optional.
But all that time barefoot or just in socks can increase the risk of developing several common foot problems.
Without the support and cushioning that comes from shoes, walking barefoot puts increased stress on the ligaments, tendons, and around the ball of the foot.
In turn, the lack of sufficient arch support can lead to plantar fasciitis. This condition involves a think band of tissue called the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of the foot. This tissue connects the toes to the heel bone.
When overuse or consistent and intense pressure is placed on the plantar fascia, it can damage the tissue, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain at the sole of the foot.
Similarly, people with flat feet put more stress on the inside of their foot and ankle without proper support, leading to tendinitis.
While your local gym would not let you hop on the treadmill in your bare feet, it can be tempting to go shoeless when you work out at home. This can be a huge mistake.
Without the support and cushioning provided by good athletic shoes, high-impact exercises can lead to foot strain, ankle sprains, and overuse injuries.
When you workout at home, wear the same shoes you would if at the gym or exercising outside.
We’re Committed To Your Foot and Ankle Health!
Our experienced and skilled podiatrists at JAWS Podiatry in Hollywood, Florida remain committed to keeping our patients safe and healthy and providing them with the finest care for their foot and ankle problems.
Our exceptional foot and ankle specialists and friendly staff welcome the opportunity to serve you in our offices, which comply with or exceed all CDC, state, and local health and safety guidelines.
Please contact our teams or call today at (954) 922-7333 to schedule a consultation.
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