Feet Problems and Weight

Posted: May 1, 2005

At some point in life, everyone experiences foot pain. Whether it is a temporary or persistent problem, that pain in the ankle, heel, arch or toes can limit physical activity, causing a great deal of stress on a person’s life.

According to a survey by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), foot and ankle problems can be linked to an individual’s weight and body mass index (BMI).

The results showed a correlation between overweight participants and foot problems. Patients who had prior foot surgery or who had previously seen a physician about foot and ankle pain seemed to have a higher BMI. Also, 40 percent of the respondents reported weight gain prior to the onset of pain.

While problems vary from patient to patient, foot and ankle pain often occurs in weight-bearing areas, as well as in the tendons and ligaments.

Common problems
Common foot problems include:

• Posterior tibial tendonitis — pain in the tendon that runs along the inside of the ankle and the foot
• Plantar fasciitis — an inflammation in the thick ligamentous connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot
• Hindfoot arthritis — an inflammation in the back part of the foot

In general, people carry approximately four to six times their body weight across the ankle joint when climbing up stairs or walking steep inclines. This is because the mechanics required to elevate your body create an increased force across the ankle joint.

Increased BMI also has been found to increase foot pressures with standing and walking, and is no doubt a precursor to foot and ankle pain.

The survey also uncovered some differences between the sexes. Among respondents, women were more likely to see a physician for foot pain and more likely to change their shoes based on a physician’s advice. Similarly, more women underwent foot and ankle surgery than men.

Men, however, more often claimed a specific injury as the cause of pain and were more likely to wear orthotic inserts in their shoes.

Recommendations
To avoid future pain and problems with your feet and ankles, orthopaedic surgeons offer these suggestions:

• Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit your feet properly.
• Place cushions in your shoes for additional comfort and support.
• Exercise regularly to lower your BMI and strengthen the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your feet and ankles.
• Stretch your leg and calf muscles daily, using techniques like the runner’s stretch, to eliminate current and potential foot pain.
• See a physician sooner rather than later if you are experiencing persistent foot and ankle problems.

Source: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society

For more information on foot and ankle problems, visit the Advanced Healthcare orthopaedics Web site at ortho.ah.com.

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