(NAPSA)}—Hikingcan be vigorous exercise and many hikers and hunters are ill prepared for the beating their feet will take, warns the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), “Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don’t realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walk- ing on uneven terrain,” said Michael Cosenza, DPM, AACFAS, a former Navy medical officer and now a foot and ankle surgeon based in Ukiah, Calif. An avid outdoorsman himself, Cosenza said lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts to his office for oe A Ukeee d MEESS * 2 7. layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal and help makethe hiking boot more comfortable. What happens if your feet or “Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through According to the ACFAS consumer Website, FootPhysicians.com, pain areas puts stress on the muscles is wrong. “Serious injury risk escalates significantly if you continue hiking in pain,” Cosenza said. He likened hiking to skiing in that beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident. Cosenza also recommendsvisiting a foot and ankle surgeon if treatment of foot and ankle prob- lems such as heel pain, ankle infections and severeblisters. wet, slippery fields and wooded and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven’t conditioned properly before hit- ting the trail,” said Cosenza. “Also, many don’t realize that cross-training shoes aren’t the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well con- structed hiking boots, they wouldn't have suffered sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons.” Cosenza advises hikers and hunters to invest in top-quality hiking boots. Hesaid strong, well insu- lated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that lessens stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. In wet and cold weather, wear- ing the right socks can help pre- vent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Cosenza recommends synthetic socks as thefirst ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? is a warning sign that something there is persistent foot or ankle pain after a hiking or hunting out- ing. “’'m most concerned about ankle instability and strained Achilles tendons. Inattention to these problems at their early stages may lead to a serious injury that will keep you off the trails a long time,” Cosenza said. Hikers and hunters seeking further information about ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries and other foot and ankle problems or looking for a foot and ankle surgeon, can visit www.FootPhysicians.com.
