Items filtered by date: September 2024

Routine foot care is essential for seniors, as they are more prone to foot problems due to age-related changes in circulation, skin, and joint health. Ignoring aches, pains, or minor issues can lead to complications, potentially affecting mobility and overall quality of life. Seniors should regularly check their feet for signs of dryness, cracks, or sores, especially if they have conditions like diabetes, which can increase the risk of infection. Keeping feet clean, moisturized, and toenails properly trimmed can prevent discomfort and reduce the chance of developing serious issues. Foot pain may signal underlying problems like arthritis, bunions, or poor circulation. Untreated, these can worsen and interfere with walking or standing. If you are a senior and have foot problems, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist at the first sign of discomfort to help prevent minor issues from becoming major.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Inc.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, and Tallmadge, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Athletes rely heavily on their feet to perform at their best, making foot health a top priority. Choosing the right footwear is essential for support, stability, and cushioning, reducing the risk of injury. Properly fitted shoes prevent discomfort and pain caused by ill-fitting options. Socks also play a vital role, providing a barrier against moisture and bacteria, which can lead to infections. Overtraining or increasing workout intensity too quickly can strain the feet, leading to conditions like stress fractures or muscle strains. Incorporating foot exercises and stretches can strengthen the muscles, improve flexibility and increase resilience. If foot pain occurs, it is important to listen to your body and seek help from a podiatrist. This medically trained foot doctor can offer expert advice on injury prevention, diagnose underlying issues, and provide treatment to keep you active. If you have foot problems that impede your ability to work out, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Inc.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, and Tallmadge, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Children are often active and growing rapidly, which makes them susceptible to a variety of foot problems. Some of the most frequently seen issues include flat feet, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, and Sever’s disease. Flat feet occur when the arches do not develop properly, leading to discomfort or pain, especially during physical activities. Although many children outgrow this condition, some may need supportive footwear or orthotics. Plantar warts, caused by a viral infection, often develop on the soles of the feet and can be painful. These warts are common in children who frequently walk barefoot in public places like pools or locker rooms. Ingrown toenails, where the nail grows into the skin, can cause significant pain and even infection. This is often due to improper nail trimming or wearing tight shoes. Sever’s disease is a common cause of heel pain in growing children, resulting from inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. Rest and proper footwear are key to managing this condition. If your child suffers from a foot problem, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, a specialist who treats various conditions related to the feet and ankles.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Inc.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, and Tallmadge, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Claw toe is a deformity where the toes curl into a claw-like shape due to an imbalance in the muscles and tendons responsible for straightening the toes. The condition often causes the toes to bend upward at the joint closest to the foot and then sharply downward at the middle and third joints, leading to discomfort and the formation of painful calluses. Common causes include nerve damage, foot or ankle trauma, and conditions like diabetes or arthritis. If left untreated, claw toe can worsen over time, making early intervention important. A podiatrist can help manage claw toe by recommending non-invasive treatments such as custom orthotics, toe exercises, and footwear adjustments that provide more room for the toes. In more severe cases, surgery might be necessary to correct the deformity. If you notice a deformity in your toes, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Inc.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, and Tallmadge, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.