It’s important to remember that not everyone can comfortably wear the same type of shoes. Let’s talk about the shoes you wear most often and whether they could be contributing to your foot and ankle issues.
One of the most common foot problems is a bunion, which occurs when a bump develops on the inside of the big toe over the metatarsal bone in your foot. While bunions are commonly hereditary, they can also result from shoe wear.
It’s estimated that roughly 20 percent of all Americans experience at least one type of foot injury or illness per year. Other common ailments include toe fungus, ingrown toenails, bunions, flat feet, and fallen arches.
A person with diabetes may gradually lose feeling in their feet. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot becomes impaired and this can lead to abnormal pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot and make it sore.
Did you know that you should always have your feet measured before you buy a new pair of shoes? In fact, this is a good habit to get into, as foot length and width can change unexpectedly. Always get them measured while you are standing for greatest accuracy.
What are bunionettes? They are smaller bunions that form at the base joints of your little toes. Bunionettes can be caused by conditions like arthritis, an inherited structural defect, or wearing tight shoes that crowd your toes and push joints out of alignment.
Limit the amount of time you walk barefoot on hardwood, stone, ceramic or cement. These surfaces have no way to absorb shock and can cause the fat pad, which naturally cushions the foot, to deteriorate.
Podiatrists perform all types of foot and ankle surgeries. This includes surgical bunion removal, the removal of neuromas, reconstructive surgery of the foot or ankle, tarsal tunnel release surgery, plantar fascia release, and even hammertoe reconstructive surgery.
Did you know that chronic foot injury or illness can be a sign of a more serious medical condition? Your feet are a mirror for the rest of the body in regard to overall health, and conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and even nerve or circulatory problems will show up first in your feet.
Treatment options for bunions depend significantly on how much discomfort the bunions cause. In most cases, wearing shoes aggravates bunions, and the extent of the pain is usually the main indicator of whether you need some type of surgical procedure.
While a podiatrist’s area of specialty is primarily the foot, they also sometimes treat other areas, too. 44 states in the US currently allow podiatrists to also treat disorders of the ankle, and some allow treatment above the ankle as well.
Feet take a lot of abuse that can result in cracked and dry. Regular applications of moisturizer will keep your feet smooth and healthy. You can even massage moisturizer into your feet before going to bed.
Medical conditions that affect the way we walk can lead to foot pain and injuries. Spinal issues and neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease are examples.
Many people go through life wearing shoes that are too small for them. Go shoe shopping at the end of the day, when your feet have swollen some from the day’s use. If one foot is bigger than the other, always buy the larger pair.
Did you know that corrective shoes can play a big role in the treatment of certain foot disorders? However, as there are different kinds available for different problems, a visit to a foot specialist is required.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition that you can see your podiatrist for. PAD causes the narrowing of the arteries in your legs when plaque builds up.
Achilles tendinitis is a common occurrence in athletes who overtrain or who don’t take the time to warm up properly. This condition causes irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone, and needs to be looked at and treated.
We want everyone to have healthy and happy feet. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and verify that we accept your insurance carrier.
There are many signs that you should visit a foot expert. Examples include sharp pain triggered by certain shoes and lingering swelling or discomfort from an old injury.
Did you know that the Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the body? It was the only part of the Greek war hero Achilles that was left vulnerable, hence the name.
If you’ve been noticing that your feet tend to be bluish or purple in color, it’s important to see us right away. This could mean the veins in your feet aren’t functioning properly.
Did you know that foot and ankle surgeons can practice both general medicine and specialized foot care? This allows them to diagnose and treat foot, ankle, and lower leg problems as well as to perform operations.
Did you know that the average person walks over 115,000 miles in a lifetime? That amounts to 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day and totals a distance which would go around the entire earth over 4 times.
Corrective shoes are sometimes worn after a surgery or ulcer treatment to help support the feet during the recovery period as much as possible. Your podiatrist will have all the information and advice that you need.
