How to Help Your Feet Weather the Winter

New year’s resolutions seldom involve foot care. And that’s a shame, says A. Holly Johnson, MD, a foot and ankle surgeon at HSS. “Feet are small, complex structures that accept seven times your body weight with every step,” she says. “There are 26 bones, as well as multiple ligaments and tendons, in the foot and ankle, and a breakdown of any one of these structures can really derail you.”

Take, for example, the big toe. If you have a bunion, you might shift your weight toward the outside of the affected foot when you walk. This in turn throws off the alignment of everything above it, which can stress the tendons and ligaments in your knee or hip and lead to additional problems.

Untreated foot problems can also prevent people from succeeding in one of the most common new year’s resolutions: getting more exercise. “Being physically active is essential for everyday health,” says Dr. Johnson. “If foot pain is preventing you from doing the activities you love, it’s important to get it evaluated by a medical professional such as an orthopedist foot and ankle surgeon.”

While good foot health is vital any time of year, there are a few special circumstances that you want to watch out for when the temperatures drop. Here’s Dr. Johnson’s best advice for helping your feet weather the winter.

Choose the right shoes

Some people go barefoot or wear flip-flops indoors year-round, and that’s generally fine, says Dr. Johnson. (Of course, if your doctor advises you to do otherwise, heed their advice.) Stepping outside, however, is a different matter. “Your toes are the body parts that are farthest from your heart, so it’s hardest to keep the blood flowing to them, especially when it’s cold,” she says. Wear insulated boots or other appropriate footwear for your activity, such as winter running shoes or hiking boots. Also wear wicking socks, which will help your feet stay warmer by keeping them from getting wet.

Find the best fit

It may seem strange, but our feet change size and shape over the course of a lifetime. So the boots that felt fine last year may be painfully tight when you try them on today. Don’t grin and bear it, says Dr. Johnson. “Closed-toe footwear can aggravate underlying issues like arthritis or a bunion,” she explains. “If you have new pain, see a foot and ankle specialist, orthopedist or other medical practitioner for an evaluation.”

Ease into activities

If you’re going to be skiing, ice skating or doing another winter-weather sport, keep in mind that your feet are going to have to adapt along with the rest of your body. Don’t dive in and do a few hours right away: Pay attention to your body and stop before you’re fatigued and your form gets sloppy. Also, try on last year’s gear before you go, and remeasure your foot any time you shop for new footwear, including sports gear. “I tell patients, ‘If a shoe is comfortable, then most often it’s the right fit. If it’s not, keep looking,’” she says.

Don’t ignore injuries

Not surprisingly, slipping on ice is more common in the winter months, so sprains, strains and even ankle breaks can happen. If it’s just a little tweak, you may be able to baby your ankle at home using the RICE method: Rest the foot, apply ice (keeping a cloth between your skin and the ice pack), wrap the ankle in an ACE bandage and elevate it whenever possible. You can also take over-the-counter pain medicine as directed. If the pain persists for more than a week or you cannot bear weight due to pain, seek professional help.

Know when it’s time to see a doctor

Changes in temperature and barometric pressure may cause an old injury to rear its ugly head, says Dr. Johnson. Or the switch from open-toed to closed-toe kicks might give you a wake-up call when your feet start to hurt. Again, get an appointment on the books sooner rather than later.

“People are afraid to see the doctor because they’re afraid to get surgery, and they’re afraid to get surgery because they’re afraid of the recovery,” she says. “But new minimally invasive techniques allow for many types of foot correction without significant post-surgery pain or time off work.” What’s more, many injuries and issues like arthritis and bunions are easier to address in earlier stages, when nonsurgical treatments may still be an option.

Bottom line: Stand up for your feet, and they’ll keep standing up for you.