Extra weight adds stress to feet and ankles

Overweight people tend to have more foot and ankle problems as compared to the normal weight people. Researchers from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Public Education Committee reviewed responses from 6,157 people, who completed an online survey about foot and ankle pain and body weight. People who responded to the survey were an average of 35 years olds and had an average body mass index of 28, which classified them as overweight. Most common foot and ankle problems among overweight people included arthritis in the ankle, and problems in weight-bearing joints and tendons, such as the ankle and joint between the ankle and heel. People carrying around extra pounds also reported more posterior tibial tendonitis, or pain in the tendon that runs along the inside of the ankle and the foot. Researchers did not examine if losing weight helps relieve these problems, but this could be the case. It was noted that if patients lose weight, they put less strain on their feet and ankles and their pain gets better. Among more than 6,000 people who responded to the survey and said they had foot and ankle pain, had undergone foot surgery or consulted a doctor about foot pain. All these people tended to weigh more than people who did not report similar problems. In addition, more than 4 out of 10 people with foot and ankle problems said they believed they had gained weight before the problems started. It was found that women were more likely to see a doctor because of foot pain, change shoes based on their doctor's advice, and have foot or ankle surgery. Men were more likely to wear orthotic inserts and report that their pain was caused by a specific injury. Researchers concluded that if you gain weight, your feet and your ankles are going to pay the price.