Body in Focus: Dr. Marlene Reid on Preventing Foot/Ankle Injuries

Summer in Chicago means sports, sun and fitness. As we try to be as active as possible during our too short summer, it’s also important to be aware of some simple ways to prevent common sports related injuries. Many of us take our feet for granted, yet foot and injuries are commonplace, so we asked Dr. Marlene Reid, a renowned Chicago podiatrist, for some more insight into preventing and treating such injuries.

Photo courtesy Dr. Marlene Reid

What are a few of the most common foot/ankle injuries you see in the regular course of summer fitness/outdoor activities?
Heel pain is the number one complaint of my patients.  Very often this is due to increased activities or the lack of proper shoe support from summer shoes.

Do the types of foot/ankle injuries you see differ depending upon the type of sport?

Injuries are certainly related to the type of sport but with some sports they are also related to foot type.  Someone with a high arch foot is more prone to ankle sprains while someone with a flat foot is more prone to tendon problems.  Activities that involve jumping such as volley ball or side-to-side motion such as tennis can cause very different injuries regardless of foot type.

What are some easy tips that we can do to prevent common foot and ankle injuries while working out?

1)  Wear the proper shoes.  Flip flops belong at the beach – not on a bike
2)  Wear sport specific shoes.  Tennis shoes give stabilization from side-to-side but do nothing to promote acceleration for running.
3) Do not go barefoot in public showers, pools and gyms.  Fungus and warts can easily be spread.
4) Listen to your body.  Foot pain is not normal.  Any pain to the foot or ankle should be evaluated by a podiatric physician and activities should be stopped until you are evaluated.

What is your recommendation for easy ways to increase comfort when wearing heels, without sacrificing style?
Know your foot type.  A podiatrist can tell you if you have flexible feet or stable feet and that can determine the heel height you will be comfortable in.  If you do wear heels, be sure to alternate the heel height.  If you wear 3″ heels one day, wear 2 1/2″ heels the next day to help stretch the Achilles tendon.  Pay attention to the ball of the feet.  Any pain is a sign that that particular shoe is not a good choice.  Even a shoe with 1/4″ lower heel can make a difference.  All shoes are not created equal – be sure to find shoes that are comfortable and feel stable, regardless of heel height.

Are there any injuries or other foot/ankle problems that are common among our audience’s age range (21-35)?

Neuromas, bunions, hammertoes, lessening of the fat pad at the ball of the foot.  All of these problems are very prevalent in this age group!

Are there any long-term problems associated with certain types of footwear that we need to be aware of and what are some things we should be doing to minimize these risks during our daily routine?

I really caution this age group for thinking that they are so far away from foot problems.  High heels can really cause significant problems at the ball of the foot.  Also, pointy shoes can hasten the development of bunions and hammertoes.

Any other pointers, advice or thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Most problems are  better treated when they initially occur.  Heel pain, for example, becomes much more difficult to resolve as time goes on.   Even what seems like a mild ankle sprain can become a serious problem years later if it is not treated properly.  Tendon tears commonly fail to heal and fill with adhesions and scar tissue that is a chronic painful problem.  The feet bear our weight and are subject to injury and re injury with every step we take.

Dr. Marlene Reid is the Chairman of the APMA Public Education Committee, the Vice President of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association and a past president of the American Association for Women Podiatrists. Dr. Reid was named in the Podiatry Management’s 2006 list of America’s Most Influential Podiatrists and is a Distinguished Practitioner of the National Association of Practitioners. Dr. Reid is a leading podiatric surgeon in Naperville, IL at Family Podiatry Center.  She specializes in heel pain, chronic pain and women’s foot issues including bunions and other deformities.  Dr. Reid is quoted frequently in print, the web and on TV including appearances on The Oprah Show, The Today Show, ABC News and CBS News.