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March 2023

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 00:00

Flat Feet in Children

Babies are born with flat feet because their bones and joints are flexible until their teenage years. Babies also have a fat pad on the inner border of their feet that hides the arch when standing. Flat feet in kids typically does not require medical treatment because arches will usually develop normally before adulthood. Even if arches do not develop, treatment is not recommended unless the foot feels stiff or causes pain. If such symptoms do occur, it is suggested that a podiatrist be seen for an evaluation and any recommended management for the problem.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot Care. Our doctors 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 offices located in Valatie and Albany, NY . 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
Tuesday, 21 March 2023 00:00

Stretches for Runners

Research has shown many people who enjoy running lack the appropriate time to properly stretch. The sport of running can range from jogging 15 minutes per day to preparing for a marathon. It is beneficial to learn how to prevent running injuries, and this generally begins by warming up and cooling down before and after running. Effective stretches for runners can include the hip flexor and quad stretch. This is done by kneeling on one leg, reaching back, and bringing the bent leg as close as possible to the buttocks. The hamstrings can easily get hurt if they are not stretched properly. Lying on the floor, raising one leg up, and using a band that is wrapped around that leg while pulling it forward is considered to be a good hamstring stretch. If you would like to learn about additional stretches that can help to prevent running injuries, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help you to achieve your running goals without injury.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

  • Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
  • Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
  • “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
  • Cross-Training is Crucial
  • Wear Proper Running Shoes
  • Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Read more about How to Prevent Running Injuries
Saturday, 18 March 2023 00:00

It's Time for Beautiful Feet

You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.

Tuesday, 14 March 2023 00:00

Why Do My Feet Hurt?

Foot pain is common, and it is important to find the cause in order to treat it properly. Sometimes foot pain will be temporary, and rest is all that is needed. However, if this pain continues, it is important to seek medical help so that it does not get worse. Conditions that can cause foot pain include, wearing shoes that do not fit properly, Achilles tendonitis or rupture, and bone spurs. Achilles tendonitis occurs from overuse of the Achilles tendon. Anyone can be affected by this injury, but athletes are particularly prone to this condition. An Achilles tendon rupture can occur suddenly, and intense pain is felt in the back of the foot and into the calf. With an Achilles tendon rupture, surgery is sometimes necessary. Bone spurs can result from bone injuries. Generally there is only pain with a bone spur when it is larger or if it is angled in such a way that it presses on nerves. Shoes become difficult to wear and standing for a prolonged time is challenging. At times, the extra bone needs to be shaved to reduce pain. If you have foot pain that does not get better in a reasonable time or worsens, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 07 March 2023 00:00

Should I Cut an Ingrown Toenail?

Even if you do not know all that much about the field of podiatry, there is a chance that you might already be familiar with what an ingrown toenail is. This condition is essentially characterized by the growth of the side of the toenail into the skin, such that inflammation and redness occurs. Many individuals living with an ingrown toenail often like to ask whether or not they can cut their ingrown toenails by themselves. The answer is that if a toenail is already ingrown, it is best not to attempt to cut it by yourself. Trying to do this by oneself can essentially increase the risk of possible infection. It might also make the ingrown toenail worse. Rather, an individual should seek out the guidance of a medical professional such as a podiatrist. If you are someone who is currently living with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Read more about Ingrown Toenails
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