Summer in Salt Lake City means hiking, biking, and barbeques. It also means lots of foot injuries, as the board-certified podiatrists at Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists know well.
When an impromptu ballgame starts, and you’re not wearing the right shoes, you’re at risk for all sorts of foot traumas — ditto for other summer activities, from camping to pickleball.
Increasing activity alone can make your feet sore and prone to injuries. Not every summer foot ailment can be prevented, but many can.
In this month’s blog, Dan Preece, DPM, Darren Groberg, DPM, and Christian Smith, DPM, of Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists, break down the season’s five most common foot injuries and offer tips for preventing them.
Heel pain often signals plantar fasciitis, caused by tiny tears and inflammation in the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the tough tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot.
Summer sports and long hours on your feet can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Wearing shoes with proper cushioning and arch support can improve it.
Activities involving a lot of sudden movements, especially on hard surfaces like basketball or tennis courts, can lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bones of the foot. Light footwear can also contribute to these fractures.
Pain that goes away when resting but returns when active is a common sign of stress fractures.
Not all foot injuries in summer are due to shoes, and flat feet won't develop from a few weeks in flip-flops. However, a lack of arch support in your footwear can lead to problems. Flat feet can change how you walk and cause issues in your knees and hips, too.
Increased summer activity can lead to new situations or more intense play, increasing the risk of ankle sprains. These are common year-round, but the risk is higher if you wear shoes that lack proper support.
Footwear can cause pain in the ball of your foot, known as metatarsalgia. It's usually not serious but can affect your summer fun. Lack of cushioning and support can collapse the metatarsal arch at the ball of your foot.
Sports that involve running and jumping can also cause sharp, burning pain in this area.
Use appropriate footwear to help keep your feet and ankles safe all summer. If you do get injured, contact us by phone at 801-285-0849 or online to meet with our expert foot and ankle team. Schedule an appointment at the first sign of foot pain.
