Pandemic Has Taken its Toll on Feet: MD Podiatrist

Foot pain has been on the rise during the pandemic, as people working from home kicked off their supportive shoes in favor of flimsy slippers and flip-flops, while others used the time to become more active, which put new strain on their feet. “In March 2020, I said … ‘Oh, my goodness, everyone is going to have plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis,'” recalled Dan Michaels, DPM.
 
His prediction panned out: podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists say they’re seeing more cases of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis — two common foot-pain conditions — than ever before. Dr. Michaels said his caseload of foot pain patients peaked over the summer, when he was treating about 35 percent more people for foot pain than usual. The number of new patients with foot pain has gone down but remains above pre-pandemic levels, he said.