Items filtered by date: December 2014

The Florida Podiatric Medical Association has created a few steps to avoid and prevent foot injuries in children. Children that play sports need to wear the correct footwear for each sport. Soccer and football players will wear cleats; basketball players should wear basketball shoes, and so on. It is also necessary to teach children the importance of stretching before exercise as well as staying conditioned during the off season. Staying stretched and in shape will avoid injuries and improve overall health. Since children are constantly growing, it is a good idea to check their shoe every couple of months to see if it still fits well. A shoe too big or too small for a child’s foot can cause a lot of problems.

All parents should teach their children the importance of caring for their feet. If your child needs foot treatment, see Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will care for your child’s foot needs.

How to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy

Throughout childhood, it is very crucial for children to have and maintain good health and proper care of their feet. With good foot health starting at an early age, foot problems and diseases can be prevented in the future. As children continue to develop so do their feet, and require different techniques of care and maintenance.
Even though babies do not begin walking until later stages, their feet should be taken care of properly:

• Stay away from socks that are too tight for your baby’s feet. This can cause pain and allow less circulation
• Encourage your baby to move their feet as much as possible so they feel comfortable with them

When your baby begins to learn how to walk, do not panic if they are unsteady on their feet. Toddlers are just getting used to the way in which their feet work so wobbliness is completely acceptable.
When your child grows out of their toddler years, here are a few steps they should take to stay with good health within their feet:

• Practice proper hygiene with them
• Be observant of any injuries that might occur

For more information about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy

As a parent, your most important job is taking care of your children in every possible way. You watch what they eat, you protect them from harm, but it is important to be proactive in taking care of their health, especially when it comes to their feet. Having healthy, well taken care of feet in childhood is crucial in helping eliminate problems later in life, especially in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some ways you can help keep your children's feet healthy, from birth to school age.

Babies require a lot of care in general, but don't forget their feet. Since babies don't walk yet, their feet can be easy to overlook, but it is still important to take care of them. In the first year of life a baby's feet grow and change very much, so it is important that you do not put any tight shoes or socks on your baby's feet. Let your baby stretch and kick her feet so he or she can feel comfortable.

When a baby turns into a toddler, they are now on the move and it is important that your toddler has comfortable and protective shoes to walk in. Now is the time you may notice different things about your child's feet, but know that children at this age are just getting the feel for walking, so don't be alarmed if they seem to walk funny. It is normal for a toddler to be unsteady on their feet.

When your child gets older and leaves the toddler stage behind, it is now important that you teach them how to take care of their own feet. Show them proper cleaning and hygiene so that their feet do not develop fungus or infection. Since children are constantly running and playing, it is also important to watch out for injury or pain. Children are still growing, and certain injuries can effect the bones growth and development so it is vital to have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible. Comfortable shoes that cushion the foot and provide protection from hours of rough play are highly recommended.

Children and babies are constantly growing and developing, and it is your job as a parent to make sure that nothing is hindering their ability to mature at a normal rate. This includes properly taking care of the feet, as healthy feet are important in order to live a normal, fulfilling life.

 Often patients with hammertoes initially look to ease their pain with corrective surgery; however many non-surgical treatments are available. Most of the time, non-surgical procedures are required before insurance companies even consider covering surgery costs. Treatments include cortisone injections, analgesic drugs, or anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the pain and swelling. A few non-invasive methods include custom made inserts to help decrease discomfort or a splint to hold the hammertoe in the correct position and keep the toe from rubbing against the shoe. On occasion a splint is not useful when the toe is no longer capable of straightening. Hammertoes can be prevented by wearing correct fitting shoes and avoiding high heels.

Successful hammertoe correction will often require the assistance of a medical professional. If you would like to make a consultation for a hammertoe, see Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will provide you with quality treatment and attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe
Hammertoe is little-known a painful condition that affects the second, third and fourth toes involving different joints of the toe and foot. Hammertoe can be caused by many other conditions such as RA (rheumatoid arthritis), osteoarthritis, trauma or injuries to your foot, it can be hereditary and it can also be caused by a cerebral vascular accident. If you wear shoes that are too narrow or short for your feet, it may exacerbate any pain you already have.

It is really important to your overall well-being to seek out medical attention at the first signs of foot pain or anything that may hinder your ability to walk in a normal manner. Taking care of your feet is one of the first steps to being able to live a full and healthy life.

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

Read more about hammertoes.

Hammertoe is a painful deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe, frequently caused by improper mechanics—the way a person walks or the shoes they wear that do not allow room for the deformity. Similar to mallet toe and claw toe, hammertoe involves different joints of the toe and foot. Shoes that are too narrow or short for the foot, or have excessively high heels, can cause of hammertoe. Improperly sized shoes force the toes into a bent position for long periods, causing the muscles to shorten and bend the toes into the hammertoe deformity.

Other causes of hammertoe may be complications from RA (rheumatoid arthritis), osteoarthritis, trauma to the foot, heredity, or CVA (cerebral vascular accident). Symptoms of hammertoe include, but may not be limited to, pain and difficult mobility of the toes, deformity, and calluses or corns from toes abrading one another.

A patient experiencing symptoms of hammertoe should seek examination by a physician, specifically a podiatrist. Podiatrists diagnose and treat disorders of the foot. If the doctor finds the involved toes have retained some flexibility, treatment may involve simple exercise, physical therapy, and a better fit to shoes worn by the patient. Treatment often targets controlling the mechanics, such as walking, that cause hammertoe by using custom orthotics.

In more advanced cases, where the toes have become rigid and inflexible, the doctor may suggest surgery. The operation would consist of incising the toe to relieve pressure on the tendons. The doctor may re-align tendons and remove small pieces of bone in order to straighten the toe. The insertion of pins may be necessary to fix bones in the proper position while the toe heals. Usually the patient is able to return home on the day of surgery.

If surgery is necessary, it is important to follow the postoperative directions of your physician. Theses may include various stretches, attempting to crumple a towel placed flat against your feet, or picking up marbles with your toes. Striving to wear shoes with low heels and ample toe space will ensure healthy feet and toes. Avoid closed shoes and high heels. Laced shoes tend to be roomier and more comfortable. Shoes with a minimum of one half inch space between the tip of your longest toe and the inside of the shoe will provide adequate space, relieve pressure on your toes, and prevent hammertoe from re-occurring.

Some tips on feet may include purchasing shoes at mid-day as your feet are smaller in the morning and swell as the day progresses. Ensure that she shoes you buy are both the same size and have the store stretch shoes at painful points to provide for optimum comfort.

Shoe makers are now creating foot-shaped running shoes that follow the foot’s natural anatomic shape to allow room for the toes to stretch naturally. In the past, some hardcore runners have gone as far as removing their toenails to avoid the damage created from repetitively slamming their toes into the front of their narrow shoes. This action would create blackened toenails, which in recent years have become a twisted badge of honor for more intense runners. Fortunately, the creation of these foot-shaped shoes will keep toes from being ruined while also allowing for comfort and balance of the foot. Shoes include Altra Paradigm, ZEMgear Terra Tech, Merrell Bare Access, and Topo Runduro.

Running shoes should be selected based on their comfort and support. For more information about what to look for in choosing a running shoe, consult with Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.  

Choosing the Right Running Shoes for Your Foot Type
Running is a physical activity although fun, can put a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Injury and stress on the foot can be an important factor on which kind of shoe you’re wearing. Running shoes should be worn based on your foot type. It is important to find out what fits you based on cushioning, stability and motion. 

Determining your type
Speak with a shoe specialist or retail professional to see what your foot type is. They will be able to identify and measure your arch type, stride and gait. 

Running Mechanics
When you are running or walking in your shoes, every step determines how your foot is landing. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike. 

Pronation is a correct form of walking or running. It helps absorb shock and store energy from your lower extremities.

For more information about Choosing the Right Running Shoe, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Choosing the Right Running Shoe

While running seems like a simple activity, it is actually a complicated movement that puts a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Consequently, choosing the right shoe is an important step in increasing performance and decreasing injury risk. You should select running shoes based on your foot type. While other considerations are important, such as trail versus road shoes, your foot type dictates the amount of cushioning, stability and motion control you need. The best way to determine your foot type is to visit a local specialty running shop. Professionals there can measure your arch type, stride and gait and summarize your shoe needs for future reference.

Running shoe design is based on the idea of pronation. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike. In other words, proper running mechanics involve striking the ground on the outside of your heel and rolling toward your big toe before pushing off again. Pronation is a good thing: it helps your lower extremities absorb shock and store energy. Neutral runners who pronate correctly do not depend on their shoes to correct their form. Neutral runners can select from a large variety of shoes, even minimal or barefoot models. However, runners with problematic foot arches or incorrect form may pronate too much or too little and require specific qualities from their running shoes.

Overpronators run with excessive ankle rolling. Even when standing, severe overpronators exhibit ankles that angle inward. They also tend to have flat feet or bowed legs. Overpronation can cause a plethora of injuries, especially in the knees, ankles and Achilles tendons. If you overpronate, you should select a shoe with extra stability and motion-control. Motion-control shoes are firm and straight; they do not curve at the tip. The lack of flexibility along the midsole prevents the foot from rolling too far inward during your foot strike.

Underpronation, also called supination, is less common than overpronation. Unlike overpronators, underpronators have inflexible feet and high arches. When they land, their feet are unable to roll inward. While this places less rotational stress on the ankles and knees, it prevents any kind of shock absorptions. This additional force can result in fractures, ligament tears and muscle strains as the legs compensate for the impact. Underpronators require shoes with increased cushioning and flexibility. If you underpronate, stability or motion-control shoes may compound the problem by further preventing pronation.

Shoe makers are now creating foot-shaped running shoes that follow the foot’s natural anatomic shape to allow room for the toes to stretch naturally. In the past, some hardcore runners have gone as far as removing their toenails to avoid the damage created from repetitively slamming their toes into the front of their narrow shoes. This action would create blackened toenails, which in recent years have become a twisted badge of honor for more intense runners. Fortunately, the creation of these foot-shaped shoes will keep toes from being ruined while also allowing for comfort and balance of the foot. Shoes include Altra Paradigm, ZEMgear Terra Tech, Merrell Bare Access, and Topo Runduro.

Running shoes should be selected based on their comfort and support. For more information about what to look for in choosing a running shoe, consult with Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment. 

Choosing the Right Running Shoes for Your Foot Type

Running is a physical activity although fun, can put a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Injury and stress on the foot can be an important factor on which kind of shoe you’re wearing. Running shoes should be worn based on your foot type. It is important to find out what fits you based on cushioning, stability and motion.

Determining your type

Speak with a shoe specialist or retail professional to see what your foot type is. They will be able to identify and measure your arch type, stride and gait.

Running Mechanics

When you are running or walking in your shoes, every step determines how your foot is landing. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike.
Pronation is a correct form of walking or running. It helps absorb shock and store energy from your lower extremities.
For more information about Choosing the Right Running Shoe, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Choosing the Right Running Shoe

While running seems like a simple activity, it is actually a complicated movement that puts a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Consequently, choosing the right shoe is an important step in increasing performance and decreasing injury risk. You should select running shoes based on your foot type. While other considerations are important, such as trail versus road shoes, your foot type dictates the amount of cushioning, stability and motion control you need. The best way to determine your foot type is to visit a local specialty running shop. Professionals there can measure your arch type, stride and gait and summarize your shoe needs for future reference.

Running shoe design is based on the idea of pronation. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike. In other words, proper running mechanics involve striking the ground on the outside of your heel and rolling toward your big toe before pushing off again. Pronation is a good thing: it helps your lower extremities absorb shock and store energy. Neutral runners who pronate correctly do not depend on their shoes to correct their form. Neutral runners can select from a large variety of shoes, even minimal or barefoot models. However, runners with problematic foot arches or incorrect form may pronate too much or too little and require specific qualities from their running shoes.

Overpronators run with excessive ankle rolling. Even when standing, severe overpronators exhibit ankles that angle inward. They also tend to have flat feet or bowed legs. Overpronation can cause a plethora of injuries, especially in the knees, ankles and Achilles tendons. If you overpronate, you should select a shoe with extra stability and motion-control. Motion-control shoes are firm and straight; they do not curve at the tip. The lack of flexibility along the midsole prevents the foot from rolling too far inward during your foot strike.

Underpronation, also called supination, is less common than overpronation. Unlike overpronators, underpronators have inflexible feet and high arches. When they land, their feet are unable to roll inward. While this places less rotational stress on the ankles and knees, it prevents any kind of shock absorptions. This additional force can result in fractures, ligament tears and muscle strains as the legs compensate for the impact. Underpronators require shoes with increased cushioning and flexibility. If you underpronate, stability or motion-control shoes may compound the problem by further preventing pronation.

Cracked feet often occur due to not only improper foot care, but cold weather, shoes that don’t fit well, or even standing for extended periods of time. If not properly treated, cracked heels can create discomfort and even bleeding. Fortunately cracked heels can be eased with the help of several simple remedies. As cracked feet are caused by dry skin, moisturizing is important. Castor oil and petroleum jelly are heavy moisturizers that can ease extremely cracked feet. Feet should also be properly dried every time they are wet. Drinking plenty of water will keep the body—and therefore the skin—properly hydrated, keeping skin from becoming dry. Ensure that the soaps you are using are mild soaps that are not harsh and over-dry the skin. Exfoliating the feet by gently scrubbing with a pumice stone can help remove dry skin.

Cracked heels can become painful if left untreated. To learn more, consult with Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.   

The Truth about Cracked Heels

Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are unappealing, and make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Not only may they look bad, but they can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.
How do you get them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing
Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief, or who suffer from chronic dry feet.
Wear Socks – wearing socks with medicated creams, helps lock in moisture so it can stay on longer.
Moisturizers – applying it both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.
Pumice Stones – these remove dead skin, and then you can massage cream onto your foot. This way the cream will be absorbed. The skin needs to be exfoliated; therefore the outer layer dead skin needs removal. 

For more information regarding cracked heels, follow the link below.

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

Read more about cracked heels.

Cracked heels can be embarrassing, and can make life frustrating when sandal season comes around. But not only are they an aesthetic problem – they can also tear stockings, socks and even wear out shoes faster at the back, and when severe may cause pain and infection.

Cracked heels are a problem for many who walk a lot, who are athletic, and who have especially dry skin. Those who are using certain kinds of medication that will dry the skin, who swim a lot, wear certain kinds of shoes, and those who are diabetic may also have trouble with cracked heels. Seniors may have more trouble with cracked heels than others, since the skin’s production of oils decreases with age. There is no one way to get cracked heels, and there is no one cure for them.

Today there are numerous products on the market that have a variety of ingredients to promote healing. Some of these products are over-the-counter and some come from a physician’s prescription pad--especially for those who have chronic dry feet and heels.

Some doctors recommend for those with rough skin to wear socks at night when they sleep. This helps promote healing of the skin on the heels and helps any creams put on the feet stay on longer and better sink into the skin.

Using moisturizers both day and night is one way to help alleviate the dryness that causes cracked heels. Making sure that the skin is clean and dry at all times is another way. Using a pumice stone to remove dead skin before applying a moisturizer can also help, as many times cracked heels will not respond to moisturizers unless the thick outer layer of skin is first removed through exfoliation. Lotion or ointment applied after exfoliation will be absorbed by the skin much more easily.

Eating a well-balanced diet with foods that promote body healing and balance can also help the skin – from within. Whatever is put into the body can either help it or hurt it and foods that give the body staying power will permeate throughout, especially through the first line of protection--the skin. Taking supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc may also help cracked heels.

Not all products that say they will help cracked heels actually work. See a professional for foot care if nothing being tried is working. A podiatrist or a dermatologist should be able to give information and advice to help with the problem.