Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy Throughout the Year!

With warmer weather at our toes, it’s time to think about your overall foot health. The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that about 20% of Americans experience at least one foot problem per year. There are many preventative actions you can take to ensure you don’t fall into this category. 

For starters, always wear shoes in public spaces where your feet can be scratched or cut to avoid infection, athlete’s foot and even plantar warts. Examine your feet daily. Inspect for cracks, peeling, injuries or sites of dry skin. Do not leave polish on your toenails all of the time as this can lead to unwanted toenail fungus. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your ankles and between the toes to avoid sunburns and guard your feet against skin cancer.

You should always stretch before completing activities to avoid injury. When walking extensively, try to do so in a good, supportive shoe. Replace your shoes every 6 months or 500 miles to avoid heel and foot pains that can lead to injury. If a serious wear pattern is noted to the sole of the shoe, it is time to get a replacement. Lastly, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Extra weight puts pressure on your feet often causing heel or foot issues, circulatory problems, arthritis and even stress fractures. 

If you experience a foot and ankle injury or complaint do not hesitate to contact our offices to schedule a visit. In preparation for your visit, we suggest taking the time to do a few simple tasks. We encourage all patients to make a list of questions and outline their symptoms and bring that list with them to their appointment. It is beneficial to jot down all medications you’re taking and any surgical procedures you’ve undergone in the past. If your issue is directly related to walking and/or exercising, please bring the shoes you wear with you.

To contact Bristol Health Podiatry, please call 860.585.3333. Dr. Jun received his medical degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in North Chicago and served as Chief Surgical Resident at North Colorado Podiatric Medicine and Surgery with focused training in total joint injury. Board qualified in foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Jun specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the lower extremity, reconstructive surgery, foot and ankle pain and arthroscopy. Dr. Jun sees patients at the Bristol Health Medical Care Center at 15 Riverside Ave in Bristol and at 167 Main St. in Southington.