Are You Doing All You Can to Keep Feet and Ankles Healthy?

Like everything else related to your health, much about foot and ankle health is beyond your control. Illness strikes and accidents occur. But there is much that you can do to keep yourself safe from infection and injury. Here are some tips from James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS to help you:

• Wear supportive footwear. Poorly fitting shoes and those with minimal cushioning are responsible for a host of problems including bunions, hammertoes, and more. High heels increase the load on the ball of the feet and can cause chronic pain. Save the stilettos and flip flops for special occasions. For everyday use, stick with comfortable shoes made of leather or a breathable fabric.

• Wash feet regularly with antibacterial soap and water. Dry them well to reduce your risk of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.

• Get to know your feet. Inspect them daily for changes. Take note of anything unusual about the color or texture of the skin, or any changes to the shape of your feet.

• Pay attention to pain. Discomfort is your body’s way of telling you that something’s wrong. Don’t ignore it.

• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Be sure to get plenty of whole grains, lean protein, and colorful fruits and vegetables. Calcium is great for bone health and will help prevent osteoporosis, a dangerous loss of bone density. Maintaining a moderate weight is especially important for people with diabetes.

Of course, the best thing you can do to promote the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, and lower legs is to see a board-certified podiatrist like Dr. James M. McKee regularly. With years of training and experience, your foot doctor is a specialist and the best-qualified medical professional to care for this part of your body. Schedule a visit in Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A.’s modern, comfortable office on Solomons Island Road. Call our friendly staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to get started today.