Step Into Summer: Three Tips for Pain-Free Feet

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After a long, cold winter, it’s hard to imagine warm weather right around the corner. However, as the temperature rises, so does our time spent outdoors—walking, mowing the lawn, or heading to the beach.

Many people don’t realize that the shift to warmer weather can lead to a spike in foot-related injuries. Before you head outside, here is how you can protect your feet and stay active all season long.

1. Start Slow

When we get our first warm days, many people hit the streets to enjoy the sunshine and some fresh air. However, it’s easy to overdo it in the first days if your activity levels dipped during the winter months.

“With people increasing their activity, we see a lot of stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, or Achilles rupture injuries in our office,” said Dr.Cameron Meyer, podiatrist with Podiatry Plus, who performs surgeries and works in the Wound Care Clinic at McLaren Greater Lansing.

“The best way to prevent these injuries is to stay moving all year round, but, if that isn’t possible, then have realistic expectations when getting back into physical activity.”

2. Take care of injuries

With increased activity, it’s easy to step on something sharp or to get a blister if you’re going barefoot outside. It’s vital to treat these minor wounds immediately—especially for patients with diabetes, who may have decreased sensation (neuropathy) and might not feel a developing infection.

“Regularly checking and treating your feet for injuries is the best way to prevent infection and keep your feet healthy,” said Dr. Meyer.

3. Choose proper footwear

This might be the most important thing you can do for your feet. When mowing the lawn, visiting the beach, or going for a run, it’s important to wear the right footwear.

“Footwear in general also has a timeline and a life expectancy. Just like a car, your shoes have a limited life expectancy before the ‘shocks’ wear out,” said Dr. Meyer. “After you run a certain number of miles and things give out, then, the next thing you know, things are going to start to hurt all over.”

Running/walking in the correct shoes for your feet, with the right amount of support, can prevent stress and other foot-related injuries. Wearing closed-toed shoes while doing lawn chores can prevent lawn mower and other injuries. Wearing water shoes at the beach can prevent foot injuries from hot sand, hot concrete, and sharp objects.

Most foot injuries can be treated at home. However, if you are experiencing persistent foot pain, have an injury that is red, swollen, and hot to the touch, or have a foot condition that is keeping you from doing the things you love, it might be time to see a podiatrist.

“I usually tell people it’s time to come into the office when you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, when you’re waking up every day, and you’re in pain,” said Dr. Meyer. “Especially if it’s keeping you from doing the things that you love to do, be it walking with your family or your kids, working out, or playing pickleball. If your foot or your ankle is the thing that’s preventing you from doing that, it’s important to seek care.”

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