Veterans and Foot Health: Military-Related Foot and Ankle Problems

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

The Lasting Foot Legacy of Military Service

Military service places extraordinary demands on the feet and lower extremities — demands that frequently leave lasting structural and functional changes that veterans carry throughout their civilian lives. Heavy load carriage (rucksacks of 60–100+ pounds), prolonged marching on hard surfaces, exposure to extremes of cold and heat, combat-related trauma, and years in military-issue footwear with limited biomechanical support collectively create a pattern of foot and ankle pathology that is both distinctive and prevalent in the veteran population. Studies consistently document that veterans have significantly higher rates of chronic musculoskeletal pain, foot disorders, and lower extremity disability compared to age-matched civilian populations.

Recognizing and addressing these conditions is a matter of both medical necessity and societal obligation. Veterans deserve comprehensive, knowledgeable podiatric care that understands the specific mechanisms of military foot injury and provides treatments appropriate for the often-complex presentation that results from years of cumulative foot stress.

Stress Fractures and Their Long-Term Consequences

Stress fractures — particularly metatarsal and navicular stress fractures — are epidemic during basic training and deployment, driven by rapid escalation of marching demands on feet that haven’t yet adapted. Some stress fractures are never diagnosed during service, healing with residual deformity or persistent symptoms that are later attributed to nonspecific foot pain. Navicular stress fractures that heal incompletely can progress to avascular necrosis (bone death) and navicular fragmentation, requiring complex surgical reconstruction years after the original injury. Veterans with chronic midfoot pain and a history of intensive marching or prior foot injury deserve thorough evaluation including MRI to exclude occult stress fracture or healing complications.

Flat Feet and Arch Problems in Veterans

Acquired flatfoot deformity from posterior tibial tendon dysfunction — progressive arch collapse from tendon degeneration — is significantly more prevalent in veterans than the general population, reflecting the cumulative effect of years of high-load marching without adequate biomechanical support. The military has historically discharged service members with significant flatfoot deformities, yet many of those who served with compensated flatfoot develop progressive deformity and pain after service, particularly as aging reduces the compensatory mechanisms. Custom orthotics and ankle-foot orthoses addressing the biomechanical consequences of acquired flatfoot can dramatically improve function and quality of life for veterans with this condition.

Cold Injury: Frostbite and Trench Foot

Veterans who served in cold environments — particularly those deployed to Afghanistan, Korea, or training in cold-weather environments — may have residual effects from cold injury. Frostbite can cause permanent damage to the small blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissues of the toes and feet, manifesting as chronic pain, cold hypersensitivity, numbness, and susceptibility to re-injury. Trench foot (non-freezing cold injury from prolonged cold-wet exposure) causes similar, sometimes permanent microvascular and neurological damage. Veterans with cold injury history benefit from podiatric evaluation to assess current function, optimize protective footwear, and manage any chronic pain or tissue changes resulting from prior cold exposure.

VA Benefits and Podiatric Care

Veterans with service-connected foot and ankle conditions may be eligible for VA healthcare benefits that cover podiatric treatment, custom orthotics, therapeutic footwear, and related services. Filing a service connection claim for foot conditions documented in military medical records or linked to military service is worthwhile — it can provide substantial healthcare and disability benefits. Private podiatric care outside the VA system is also available for veterans who prefer it or who are seeking care for non-service-connected conditions. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we deeply respect and appreciate our veteran patients and are committed to providing them with expert, comprehensive foot care that acknowledges the unique demands their service placed on their bodies.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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Veteran Foot Care & Military-Related Foot Conditions in Michigan

Military service creates unique foot and ankle injuries including stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and nerve damage from boots and terrain. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki understands the demands of military service and provides specialized foot care for veterans — serving Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Learn About Foot Pain Treatment Options → | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Hauret KG, Jones BH, Bullock SH, Canham-Chervak M, Canada S. Musculoskeletal injuries description of an under-recognized injury problem among military personnel. Am J Prev Med. 2010;38(1 Suppl):S61-S70.
2. Kaufman KR, Brodine SK, Shaffer RA, Johnson CW, Cullison TR. The effect of foot structure and range of motion on musculoskeletal overuse injuries. Am J Sports Med. 1999;27(5):585-593.
3. Sharma J, Golby J, Greeves J, Sherwin RD. Biomechanical and lifestyle risk factors for medial tibia stress syndrome in army recruits. Gait Posture. 2011;33(3):361-365.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

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Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.