Items filtered by date: August 2015
Wearing Softer Shoes or Going Barefoot Until Walking Can be Good for Infants and Toddlers
When it comes to purchasing shoes for your baby’s feet, many professionals believe that babies and toddlers should not wear firm shoes before they are fully walking to allow proper growth. “It is important that the muscles in toddlers’ feet are allowed to develop through natural stabilization,” stated Dr. Douglas Horne, UK podiatrist. Shoes during the early years should mostly be worn to protect the foot; otherwise going barefoot will help promote a better toe grip and stronger arch of the foot.
Infants and toddlers need to have fitted shoes. If your baby needs foot care, see Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor can help your baby’s foot and ankle necessities
Fitting Shoes for Infants
Taking care of a baby to ensure proper development is highly important and necessary to make sure that they grow up to be healthy and happy. Finding shoes for infants may be tricky for new parents because it is a new experience for everyone involved. Also, since infants cannot speak, they cannot tell you which one feels best, which hurts, and which styles they like more. Although often crying is a signal for them being unhappy, it is still difficult to know what fits.
Since their feet are so tiny, it might be easier to go around a store and try to see which shoes fit them best. Most infant shoes are very soft and you will not have to worry about fancy laces or intricate shoe designs. For infants, all that matters is that they are warm, well-protected and comfortable so that they can grow properly.
Once a baby is able to stand or start walking after they pass their crawling phase, it is important to change their shoes as often as they grow, and since they tend to grow and change fast, it is best to keep up with them to ensure safety and comfort.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies for your foot and ankle needs.
Professionals Find Increased Flip-Flop Injuries Resulting in Emergency Room Visits
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 25,000 people visited the emergency room last year due to flip-flop related injuries. Although flip-flops are convenient and comfortable, flip-flops are becoming an increasing problem. Many medical professionals have seen an increase in flip-flop related blisters, posture problems, overuse injuries, and tripping injuries. While you can still wear flip-flops for now, experts say it is best to warm the feet up to the impact the shoes may have on the feet and body.
Flip-flops can cause many problems to the feet. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs contact Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Flip-Flops and Feet
Flip-flops are not only very popular, but very convenient, especially in the warmer weather. They allow your feet to breathe and let you move your toes freely. They also go with most attire and can be worn with many different clothing styles. Unfortunately, these type of shoes also have a disadvantage, as they can cause harm to your feet in more ways than you think. These symptoms include:
- Ball and arch problems in the foot
- Changes to the body’s natural gait
- Blisters
- Ankle Sprains
- Higher risk of infection
- Higher risk of scrapes and cuts to the feet
- Issues in the lower back, legs and ankles
To avoid these symptoms (and minimize your risks), select a pair of flip-flops made of high quality materials that can offer protection. Purchase flip-flops from a reliable manufacturer and be sure to replace them every three to four months. Be sure the soles are firm and not ‘floppy’, or that they don’t bend or wiggle a lot when lifted from the floor.
You can still wear your favorite pair of flip-flops if you so choose, just don’t wear them for extended periods of time, and especially not every day. However, it would be far wiser to purchase a more expensive pair of flip-flops or to refrain from wearing the shoe at all for the sake of your foot health. While these shoes are comfortable, the risks included with wearing them are not.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
United Kingdom Blames 135 Weekly Diabetic Related Amputations on Obesity
In the last five years, the United Kingdom has seen a 17% increase in diabetic amputations, performed on average 135 times per week. Experts blame this increase on Britain’s obesity epidemic where there has been in a 62% increase in diabetes overall within the past decade. Despite these figures, Diabetes UK believes that these numbers can change and amputations can be avoided if diabetic patients are given the correct care and education.
Feet associated with obesity and diabetes need regular care and attention. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Obesity and your Feet
Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.
Problems & Complications
Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.
Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.
Solutions
Footwear – Specially made footwear that supports your joints, arches, and ankles, and allows room for good circulation is a great option to mitigate pressure and pain. A podiatrist will help you decide what works best for your specific needs.
Exercise – Exercise will help alleviate the pain and give your feet the strength it needs to support your body. Exercise also increases blood flow to your feet, allowing them to remain healthy and strong.
Most importantly, seek the help of a podiatrist for foot care if something is wrong or doesn’t seem to be working. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Converse Releasing New Supportive Version of Chuck Taylor All Stars
Popular footwear company, Converse, has finally updated their Chuck Taylor’s by making a more supportive version of the shoe to be known as Chuck Taylor All Star II. The new Chucks include lining, upgraded tongue and patch, and cushioning to support the feet. Since Converse was acquired by Nike in the early 2000s, the Chuck II uses Nike’s plush cushioning technology to provide a springy insert created with layers of foam. All of the upgrades were created to make converses more comfortable and supportive for the high volume of consumers.
Proper foot support is of utmost importance in foot health. To learn more, consult with Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will provide you with the foot and ankle information you seek.
The Importance of Proper Foot Support
Walking is an everyday function for both men and women, and in order to keep your body’s balance in order, you are going to need shoes that provide the proper kinds of support.
Poor foot support can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back, hips, knees, neck and shoulder. It also can lead to emotional stress, and physiological changes in the body. In order to avoid these problems, you must have proper foot support.
The arch is the most important part of the foot, which is where most of the support and balance of your feet lies. The arch of your foot varies in height, and as you age, this height can change. Proper foot support will help musculoskeletal issues, which causes inactivity or disability.
When looking for shoes that give proper support to your feet, you should refrain from wearing ill-fitting shoes. If footwear is too tight, this can affect the body’s posture, stress, bone deformities, and other foot and back pain. Therefore, it is important that shoes fit well in order to avoid these complications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.
Study Finds that Judo Can Fix Flat Feet in Children
According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, young boys who practice judo were found to have higher arches and better balance compared to boys who were not as active. Flat feet rates in young boys have been higher recently due to a lack of proper diet and exercise altering foot position and gait. Since Judo is practiced barefoot and on flat surfaces, it causes stimulation in the proper receptors on the bottom of the feet.
Typically flat feet in children will develop around age six. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions and attend to all of your podiatric needs.
What are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms:
Pain around the heel or arch area
Trouble standing on the tip toe.
Swelling around the inside of the ankle.
Flat look to one or both feet.
Having your shoes feel uneven when worn
Treatment:
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and treatments for your foot and ankle needs.