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Home Blog (Page 61)

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Close-up of baby feet on sand, focusing on foot structure and skin texture.
20May

Babies feet are soft and flexible, and this is a result of bones that have not fully developed. Research has indicated the importance of wearing shoes and socks that fit correctly, and this can help in preventing uncomfortable foot conditions. It is beneficial that children walk barefoot while indoors, and this aids in strengthening the toes which help to provide the grasping motion. It is important to measure children’s feet approximately every other month until the age of three. This will ensure the correct size shoes are worn for their rapidly growing feet. Most babies are born with flat feet, and the arch will fully develop by seven years old. If you notice your child is walking with their feet pointed inward or outward, it is advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can properly examine your child’s feet.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale of DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider…

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy

Close-up of a foot with bunion deformity and enlarged joint.
13May

Close-up of a foot with bunion deformity and enlarged joint.

Close-up of a foot with bunion deformity and enlarged joint. A bunion is considered to be a deformity of the bone. It appears as a protrusion on the side of the big toe, and is often swollen and painful. It is possible for the foot to change shape, and the style of the shoes may have to be altered. The reasons bunions develop can include genetic factors, wearing shoes that fit incorrectly, or medical conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis. This condition can be treated by using bunion pads or wearing custom made orthotics. These may be helpful in alleviating pressure on the foot that comes from the bunion. If this ailment is causing severe pain and daily activities are difficult to complete, surgery may be a consideration for permanent removal of the bunion. Please consult with a podiatrist if you are afflicted with a bunion, and would like additional treatment options.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale of DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

  • Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
  • Inflammatory Conditions – rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

  • Redness and inflammation
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Callus or corns on the bump
  • Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Bunions

13May

A bunion is a bump that forms at the base of the big toe. Bunions form when the big toe pushes against the next toe, which forces the big toe joint to get bigger and stick out.  As a result, the skin over the bunion may start to appear red and it may feel sore.

There are risk factors that can increase your chances of developing bunions. People who wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes are more likely to develop them, in addition to those who have a genetic history of bunions or have rheumatoid arthritis.

The most obvious way to tell if you have a bunion is to look for the big toe pushing up against the toe next to it. Bunions produce a large protrusion at the base of the big toe and may or may not cause pain. Other symptoms are redness, swelling, and restricted movement of the big toe if you have arthritis.

Nonsurgical methods are frequently used to treat bunions that aren’t severe. Some methods of nonsurgical treatment are orthotics, icing and resting the foot, taping the foot, and pain medication. Surgery is usually only required in extreme cases. However, if surgery is needed, some procedures may involve removing the swollen tissue from around the big toe joint, straightening the big toe by removing part of the bone, or joining the bones of your affected joint permanently.

Your podiatrist will diagnose your bunion by doing a thorough examination of your foot. He or she may also conduct an x-ray to determine the cause of the bunion and its severity.

Women walking in professional high heels on office floor.
6May

Research has indicated there are benefits from working while standing or moving about for the majority of the day. As each step is taken, circulation may improve, and blood glucose levels are positively affected. Additionally, standing and walking can contribute to cardiovascular health. It is helpful to rest the feet periodically during the day, and this may help to prevent possible foot pain. The feet can be properly stretched as the toes are pointed and flexed, and this is easily accomplished as the feet are resting. People in the nursing profession often have long hours, and their jobs have the potential to be physically demanding. It is recommended that shoes are alternated twice per year, and adding insoles may aid in providing maximum comfort. Please consult with a podiatrist if you would like additional information about proper foot care during the work day.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale from DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen.

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about How to Handle a Long Work Day on Your Feet

Elderly woman with walker walking indoors, shadow cast on wall.
29Apr

Elderly woman with walker walking indoors, shadow cast on wall.

Falling is common among older individuals, and can cause serious injuries. It is important to learn why falls occur, and it may be wise to implement methods that help to prevent falling. These include practicing a regular exercise routine which aids in maintaining strength and balance, and wearing shoes that fit correctly. Additionally, it is beneficial to keep your living environment free of clutter and installing handrails in the shower area to prevent unwanted slips from occurring. Many patients find it advantageous to have frequent eye examinations performed, and this may enable them to see items on the floor that can cause tripping. If you would like information about how falling can affect the feet, it is advised that you speak to a podiatrist.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr.Eji Shobowale from DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

  • Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
  • Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
  • Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
  • Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
  • Utilizing a walker or cane
  • Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
  • Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Falls Prevention

Swollen ankle with bruising and discoloration, indicating a possible sprain or injury.
23Apr

If ligaments in the ankle are torn or stretched, it is indicative of an ankle sprain. The purpose of these ligaments is to hold the ankle in place. If you have sprained your ankle, pain and discomfort is often experienced, and it may be difficult to bear any weight on the foot. Research has indicated there are two types of ankle sprains. These include eversion and inversion sprains. If the ankle turns in an outward direction, this is typically an eversion sprain. The latter occurs when the foot is twisted, and the ankle rolls inward. Some of the reasons why this type of injury occurs include wearing the wrong shoes, which can make it easier to fall, in addition to participating in high impact sporting activities. This produces stress on the ankle joints, which can lead to weakness in the foot. If you feel you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested to speak to a podiatrist who can perform a complete evaluation of the injured foot.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale from DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Ankle Sprains