“Commuter Tendonitis”
Why Your Right Foot Hurts from Driving
You notice a dull ache or sharp pain on the top of your right foot or the front of your ankle. It gets worse after commuting home, but it might feel fine on the weekends or in the mornings. You haven’t run a marathon. You don’t have plantar fasciitis.
So why does it hurt?
As the “Return to Office” mandates bring rush hour traffic back to pre-pandemic levels, we are seeing a resurgence of a specific, localized condition: “Driver’s Foot.” Cypress Foot & Ankle explains below.
The Mechanism: Isometric Strain
Driving seems passive, but your right foot is doing a workout. And unfortunately, problems in one area of the body tend to affect other regions, causing compensatory gait adjustments over time.
- The Position: To hover over the brake or gas pedal, you must hold your foot in a slightly flexed (“dorsiflexed”) position.
- The Hold: In stop-and-go traffic, you hold this tension for 45 minutes to an hour. This is an isometric hold: your Anterior Tibialis tendon (the one that lifts your foot) is under constant tension without rest.
This leads to Extensor Tendonitis: inflammation of tendons on the top of the foot. And if the pain persists long-term, you’ll want to see a podiatrist.
Adjust Your Cockpit
You can’t change the traffic, but you can change how you drive to save your tendon.
- Seat Position: Move your seat back slightly. If you are too close to the wheel, the angle of your ankle is too sharp (less than 90 degrees), which increases tension on the tendon. You want a more relaxed leg extension.
- Cruise Control: Whenever safe (highway driving), use cruise control to let your foot rest flat on the floorboard. Even a few minutes of rest helps.
- The “Red Light” Stretch: At every long light, point your toes down (like a ballerina) for 5 seconds. This stretches the front of the ankle and releases the tension on the extensor tendons.
Plan Ahead and Hurt Less
If the pain persists, check your driving shoes. Driving in stiff work boots or high heels restricts ankle motion!
Keep a pair of flexible, comfortable “driving sneakers” in the car to wear during the commute and consider custom orthotics to relieve tendon stress.
Whether you’re experiencing pain, concerned about a deformity, or simply seeking preventative care, Cypress Foot and Ankle Center offers a wide range of services to address all your foot and ankle needs. While we focus on nonsurgical treatments, we also provide advanced surgical procedures when necessary, using the latest technologies to ensure superior outcomes. If you’re in need, call (281) 377-4040, or contact us online today!
