At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are seeing an increase in Middlesex County patients' visits with unexplained foot pain. Patients are particularly puzzled because many of them have been doing very little except working from home and have severely limited their activities due to the COVID restrictions. If you're one of these people, we have one question for you: Are you wearing shoes when you're at home? If you answered no, that might be the cause of your foot pain.

The Problem of Going Barefoot

It’s a common habit for many people to come home at the end of the day and kick their shoes off. Going barefoot or wearing your favorite cozy slippers may seem natural and relaxing, but what about when you’re not “coming home?” If you never leave the house and barefoot has become your daily “shoe” of choice, you may notice your feet don’t feel so good.

Some podiatric disorders that can result from too much time out of shoes include:

  • Plantar Fasciitis—pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to toes
  • Metatarsalgia—a sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot
  • Achilles tendonitis—usually identifiable by pain, aching, or soreness in the back of your lower leg anywhere from the calf to the top of your heel

Why Wearing Shoes Helps

One of the most important ways shoes help prevent the above conditions is by providing your foot with arch support. When your arch flattens as it tends to do when you walk barefoot or wear shoes like slippers or flip flops with no arch support, it places strain on other parts of your foot and leg. It, in turn, leads to inflammation and pain. Besides helping prevent the above conditions, wearing shoes also protect your feet and toes from getting stubbed or banged on hard objects and from cuts or puncture wounds.

If you’re experiencing pain in your toes, feet, ankles, or legs, make an appointment at our Cromwell office for an appointment today by calling 860-632-5499 so our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and get to the source of your discomfort. In the meantime, put on a good pair of shoes—even if you’re staying home!

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416