Patients who are overweight may experience heel pain; and in severe cases, this may lead to disability. Practicing a routine exercise regimen is generally helpful in shedding additional weight, but heel pain can prevent regular exercise from occurring. Plantar fasciitis can be common among overweight patients, and chronic foot pain may become worse if the weight should increase. The weight of the body is generally kept off the heels while cycling and swimming, and these aerobic exercises may be helpful in losing weight. If you are experiencing obesity and would like additional information about how excess weight can affect the feet, speak to your podiatrist.
The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. Jeffrey Wachtel from Wachtel Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Obesity and Your Feet
People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.
Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity
- When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
- Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
- Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lansdale, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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