Simple Ways to Prevent Foot and Ankle Injuries

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With all that your feet and ankles do for you, it’s important to keep them free of injury. Did you know that the average person walks over 100,000 miles in their lifetime? That’s 4 times around the world! Their hard work is why we here at here at Maple Springs Foot Center put together some tips on how to keep them safe. Follow these tips to prevent foot and ankle injuries:

Exercise safety

A sports injury can knock you out of the game. Avoid them with these tips:

  • Warm up by stretching before any activity.

  • Start slow. Ease into activities, especially if it’s a new sport or you haven’t been very active lately.

  • Get the right safety equipment. Shoes, safety gear, and pads are all necessary to prevent injury.

  • Listen to your feet. If your feet or ankles hurt during sports, it’s their way of telling you to slow down and take it easy a bit.

  • Avoid exercising on poor surfaces. Make sure tracks are level and well-cushioned and that fields don’t have any large craters or potholes in them.

Clean up

Take a few minutes to look around your house and see if there’s clutter that could trip you up. Follow these cleanup tips:

  • Remove any unnecessary objects from the floor.

  • Make sure electrical cords are not strewn across the floor.

  • Check handrails for adequate lighting.

  • Make sure rugs are not a tripping hazard.

Be proactive with your foot health

There are plenty of things you can do throughout your day to make sure you don’t end up with a foot or ankle injury. Try some of these:

  • Wear shoes with plenty of room in the toe box and lots of arch support and cushion. Avoid going barefoot.

  • Practice standing on one foot to improve your balance.

  • Stretch out regularly to keep your joints flexible and limber.

  • Always cut your toenails straight across to avoid an ingrown toenail.

If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury, call us today. Our podiatrist, Dr. Stuart Snyder here at Maple Springs Foot Center can help diagnose and treat any foot or ankle issues that you might be experiencing. To get in touch, request an appointment online or call our office conveniently located in Gaithersburg, MD at 301-762-3338.

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