How to Take Care of Your Feet During Long Drives

This holiday season, many of us will be traveling to celebrate. But as we commute to family and festivities, we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center don’t want your feet and ankles to take a back seat.

Prolonged driving can take a toll on your lower extremities, leading to stiffness, swelling, and even pain. This is commonly known as “driver’s foot,” and in this article, we’re going to address how to prevent it.

Common Conditions Affecting Drivers

Extended periods of sitting and limited movement can contribute to various foot and ankle problems:

• Swelling: Reduced blood circulation can lead to swelling in the feet and ankles- especially during long drives.

• Stiffness: Lack of movement can cause stiffness in the joints and make it uncomfortable to operate the pedals.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): In rare cases, prolonged sitting can increase the risk of DVT, which is a serious condition involving blood clots in the deep veins of the legs.

• Plantar fasciitis: Continuous pressure on the gas pedal can exacerbate plantar fasciitis and cause heel pain.

• Achilles tendonitis: Similarly, prolonged ankle positioning can contribute to Achilles tendonitis and lead to pain and stiffness in the back of the heel.

Tips for Foot and Ankle Health While Driving

Our number one anecdote to reduce the effects of driver’s foot? Take breaks, get out of the car, and stretch. Rest stops should be your best friends to let the feet breathe.

Also, while you're driving, perform simple ankle exercises (such as rotations and pumps) to improve circulation and prevent stiffness. Supplement these exercises with the water bottle in the cup holder. Dehydration can worsen swelling and muscle cramps!

And lastly, how you sit is important. To optimize your driving position, adjust your seat to ensure comfortable leg extension and avoid excessive pressure on the backs of your thighs.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we address an expansive variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are eager to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.