Choose Footwear Properly To Avoid Foot Injury

Illustration of the choice of sandals (Freepic)

Choosing footwear that is not suitable for daily activities, both inside and outside the home, can increase the risk of leg health problems.

According to a Glamour UK report, experts noted an increase in plantar cases of fasciitis, namely painful inflammation of the hard tissue at the bottom of the feet. This condition often occurs in people who change the level of activity and the type of footwear used.

One of the reasons is walking without footwear in the house, especially on the hard surface. Even so, walking without shoes at a certain time still has benefits, especially for those who do not experience pain in the heel or arch.

Dr. Daniel Stewart, a leg disease doctor, explains that shoes can provide protection, but on the other hand can also limit the natural movement of the legs. These restrictions can cause leg muscles to weaken, as well as trigger problems such as Bunion and hazardatoe.

However, being naked at home too often also carries its own risks. According to Alicia Canzanese, a foot specialist and athletics trainer, walking without foot can cause injury, such as stumbling a carpet, falling from stairs, or stepping on sharp objects such as toys.

In addition to the risk of direct injury, other problems can develop gradually. Dr. Elizabeth Daughterry, a podiatric, explains that the plantar fascia the link between the heel and the base of the leg can tighten when it is not used for a long time, for example when sitting or sleeping. When we suddenly stand without footwear support, excessive pressure can cause irritation of the network.

People with very high or very low arches are more susceptible to this problem. The shape of the arch affects the distribution of weight, thereby risking excessive pressure on certain parts of the legs, says Dr. Daughtry.

Long walks without footwear can also cause metatarsalgia, which is pain in the football. This happens because when the soles of the feet touch the surface, the thumb joints of the feet must work harder to help move forward. If this activity is carried out for a long time, the extra pressure on the soles of the feet can trigger pain.

Feet have natural fat pads at the bottom of the heel and palm to absorb pressure. However, as you get older, especially after entering your 50s, these pads can run low or break, making your legs more susceptible to pain, especially when walking on a hard surface.

According to Dr. Canzanese, for those who start to feel pain due to thin pads, comfortable footwear and support leg arches can replace the function of these natural cushions.

For people who experience problems such as joint inflammation or plantar fasciitis which is characterized by stabbing pain in the heel while waking up, Dr. Canzanese recommends the use of shoes with arch supports even while inside the house. This can help reduce pain and provide additional protection.

Meanwhile, for those who want to prevent leg problems without feeling any pain at this time, Dr. Daughtry recommends sandals, flip-flops, or shoes with strong arch support but still flexible to absorb the impact while walking.

With the right choice of footwear, you can not only reduce the risk of injury, but also maintain leg health in the long term, both at home and outside activities.