Rock G. Positano, DPM, MSc, MPH, DSc, director of the non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at HSS, discussed the increase in the development of foot disorders due to barefoot walking at home for extended periods of time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Heel plantar fascia, heel fat pad, Achilles, as well as forefoot problems such as bunion deformities and neuroma are on the rapid rise due to this phenomenon,” noted Dr. Positano. “People don’t realize how much walking they do in their homes. Some of our patients have clocked up to five miles a day in their domiciles using a pedometer. Many of my colleagues are seeing a concomitant increase in knee, hip and lower back problems mainly because of faulty and insufficient shock-absorbing capability caused by being barefoot for significantly longer periods of time.”

Dr. Positano recommended wearing footwear with a semirigid and flexible arch with a small heel indoors.

This article was featured in print on August 31, 2020.