Denton County Living Well Magazine March/April 2020 | Page 9

FIX FEET FOR WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS By Damien Dauphinée, MD M any of the estimated 70 million obese Ameri- cans are trapped in a life-threatening vicious cycle: Obesity aggravates foot problems, like heel pain and flat feet; sore feet make it hard to exercise and lose weight; and without ex- ercise, obesity worsens and exacerbates progression of diabetes, heart disease and other serious health threats. I urge obese adults to seek immediate treatment for chronic, activity-limiting foot and ankle problems to foster compli- ance with physician-directed exercise programs. Once cleared by your physician to begin exercising, don’t try to do too much too soon. Follow a gradual routine until your body adjusts to the stress of regular physical activ- ity. For example, I counsel overweight patients to avoid working out on treadmills or elliptical machines to minimize pounding and stress on their joints. Shedding excess pounds helps diabetic patients control their disease, but many who experience foot ulcerations It is unfortunate that obese adults get caught up in the vicious cycle of avoid- ing physical activity due to foot or an- kle pain, thereby permitting cardiovas- cular disease and other life-threatening conditions to worsen as a result. For example, in many cases, chronic heel pain occurs from carrying too much weight. Left untreated, it becomes an impediment to physical activity and meaningful weight loss. There’s no reason foot or ankle pain should stop obese patients from exer- cising. The first step toward breaking that vicious cycle is an evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon. According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org, many causes of foot pain can be relieved without surgery through stretching exer- cises, orthotics and athletic shoes with good shock absorption and support. If a bunion, heel pain or other condition requires surgery, patients can participate during their recovery in non-weight-bearing activities, such as riding a stationary bike, swimming or weight training. For those moderately to severely overweight, a thorough physical examination is mandatory before beginning an exercise program. and vascular problems caused by diabetes might think they shouldn’t exercise. Every diabetes patient needs regular foot exams to check for possible sore spots and assess nerve sensation. With proper diabetic foot care and the right footwear, most pa- tients can follow an exercise regimen that is safe and ap- propriate for them. For more information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Damien Dauphinée’s office at 940-300-3054, or go to www.completefootandanklecare.com. DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2020 7