Winter foot injuries most frequently include ankle sprains from slipping on ice, stress fractures, and heel pain flare-ups (plantar fasciitis) caused by cold-stiffened tissues and unsupportive boots. Additionally, cold, damp conditions often lead to painful chilblains, athlete’s foot, and dry, cracked heels.
The most common cold-weather foot issues Podiatrists at Step + Stride Podiatry treat include:
- Ankle Sprains: Slipping on frost or black ice causes sudden twisting or rolling of the ankle, injuring ligaments.
- Stress Fractures: Icy walking conditions require extra balancing effort, and the strain can easily lead to tiny, painful cracks in the foot bones.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Colder temperatures naturally cause the plantar fascia ligament to tighten, which triggers sharp, stabbing heel pain, especially with your first steps out of bed.
- Chilblains: Also known as pernio, these are red, itchy, and sometimes swollen patches on the toes caused by poor circulation triggered by exposure to cold and damp conditions.
- Dry Skin and Cracked Heels: Low winter humidity strips moisture from the skin, leading to rough, peeling, and cracked skin that can become vulnerable to infection.
- Athlete’s Foot: Enclosed, heavy boots and multiple layers of socks create a warm, damp environment that is ideal for fungal infections to thrive.
- Frostbite: Prolonged outdoor exposure to freezing conditions restricts blood flow to the extremities, risking serious tissue damage to your toes
Call us today to resolve all your foot pain
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(09) 212 9612