As brightly coloured leaves stun the decline landscape, walkers and hunters nationwide will migrate to mountains, woods and fields, but many sadly, are unwell prepared for the thrashing their feet will take, warns the North American School of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "Hikers, hunters and others who love the outside regularly do not realize how demanding it can be to bear relentless, powerful walking on uneven terrain," asserted Marco Vargas, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon based in Sugar Land, TX. An eager outdoorsman himself, Vargas asserted loose physical conditioning and unseemly shoes bring scores of out of doors fans into his office each fall for treatment of foot and ankle issues like lingering heel agony, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal complaints and harsh blisters. "Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping thru wet, greasy fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, particularly if you have not conditioned correctly before hitting the trail," recounted Vargas.

"Also, many do not notice that cross-training athletic shoes are not the very best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well made hiking boots, they would not have suffered twisted ankles or strained Achilles tendons.". Vargas recommends walkers and hunters to make the investment in top-quality hiking boots. He revealed robust, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer glorious ankle and foot support that helps reduce stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. "The supportive shank decreases tension on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So if a boot bends in the middle, do not buy it.". In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help forestall blisters, fungal complaints and frostbite. Vargas suggests man-made socks as the 1st layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add heat, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more relaxed. What occurs if your feet or ankles hurt in a hike or hunt? Vargas related agony generally occurs from overuse, even from just walking.

"If you are not used to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get beat and cause muscles and tendons to ache," he said. "To avoid a significant injury ,eg a severe ankle twist or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting.". "Serious injury risk escalates seriously if you continue hiking in pain," Vargas said.

He equated hiking to skiing in that newbs should take on less tough trails till they become better conditioned and more assured. Vargas also commends visiting a foot and ankle surgeon if there's obstinate foot or ankle discomfort following a hiking or hunting outing. Inattentiveness to these issues at their early stages could lead on to a major injury that may keep you off the trails for a long time," Vargas declared.