by Liz Bonis & Megan Burgasser, WKRC | Click here to read the full story.
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Some of the top injuries that come from busy summertime activities tend to be related to people’s feet.
Podiatrists at OrthoCincy have recommendations to protect the feet and prevent these problems from happening.
“We see a lot of patients coming in and saying, ‘I walked in the wrong shoes at any of those kinds of events – the festivals, Kings Island, cities that require a lot of walking like Chicago, DC, or New York,'” said Dr. Matthew Connolly, OrthoCincy Podiatrist.
He said protecting the feet should be a priority in the warmer months. He also revealed what the top injury is that can lead to future complications.
“We see blisters more than anything. Calluses are more the long-term problem of pressures. Blisters are the short-term response to something that’s rubbing and creating pressure,” Dr. Connolly said.
The Royal College of Podiatry reported that a festival or outdoor event can be just like a sporting event. People can easily cover ten or more miles a day. So, shoes with little to no arch support can create concerns.
He said that as temperatures warm up, blisters are often followed by ankle and toe injuries.
“Everybody wants to be in something airy. But when you’re in the $5 flip flops, that’s just a flat board, and your foot is flopping. It’s just creating all sorts of pressure, and it’s open to all the sticks and rocks that are close to the ground. Not to mention the bed post and door jamb, where we’re just hitting our feet all the time,” Dr. Connolly said.
For those who do want to wear these types of open shoes, it’s suggested to get ones that come with more of an athletic type of support – or even a covered toe or heel.
Dr. Connolly also cautioned against the “half shoe or sneaker” because a person can easily step out of them. They’re particularly risky when going up or down stairs, which can lead to trips and falls.
