Normally, health experts do not recommend a sedentary lifestyle. But if your ability to move is limited by an injured foot, a sedentary lifestyle may seem inevitable. However, if you have the chance, you should seize every opportunity to keep active. Here are 5 reasons why you should stay active despite having a cast on your foot.
1. Exercise helps the foot heal faster
With your doctor’s approval, exercise can assist in faster healing of an injured foot even when wearing a cast. Physical activity improves blood circulation, maintains good muscle tone and toe flexibility, reduces tissue inflammation, and decreases the risk of venous thrombosis.
2. It helps ensure good bone density
Long-term immobilization in a cast can lead to loss of bone density since the foot is kept stationary. However, performing static or gentle moving exercises as allowed can slow down this bone loss and maintain bone strength in the affected limb.
3. It keeps weight gain in check
Staying minimally active while wearing a cast helps prevent weight gain, which is important because extra weight can cause further foot injuries. Obesity can contribute to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, tendonitis, metatarsalgia, plantar fissures, corns and calluses, and toenail trauma.
4. It minimizes the atrophy of the structures of the foot
The toes and muscles inside the cast may weaken or bend due to inactivity, leading to musculoskeletal changes after cast removal such as calf and quadriceps shrinkage, joint stiffness, and altered foot positioning. Exercise helps reduce these effects and preserve muscle mass.
5. It helps keep up the morale
Physical activity supports mental health during recovery from a broken or injured foot, combating depression, mood swings, sleep problems, aggression, low energy, anxiety, and stress that can come from a sedentary lifestyle.
Resume your sporting activities with confidence thanks to PiedReseau
After cast removal and foot healing, resuming sports may require orthopedic devices. Your podiatrist can analyze your condition and provide customized foot orthoses and therapeutic taping. PiedReseau clinics support your return to motion after convalescence.