Posts for category: spring foot care
Spring sports are starting in the next few weeks, and the transition from winter sports can present a unique set of risks and challenges.
Different types of shoe gear, impact activities and playing surfaces can all be problematic if not assessed and addressed properly. Giving your muscles, bones and tendons time to reset and adapt to the changes is key. Here are a few tips, endorsed by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Advanced Podiatry that can make all the difference.
- Get a pre-season health and wellness check-up.
Having a medical evaluation in advance to the start of a season can help identify possible health concerns that have the potential to lead to injury. - Take it slow.
Ask your child's coach to gradually increase their playing time during practice, and avoid pushing them full throttle. It's important your child's feet and ankles become accustomed to the level of activity required for the sport they are entering. Adequate conditioning can help keep a player free of injury and improve their performance during the season. - Wear proper, broken-in shoes.
Different sports require different shoe gear. Wearing the appropriate, well-fitting, broken-in athletic shoes designed for a specific sport can eliminate heel and toe discomfort and improve your child's performance. - Check their technique.
Most parents are their child's biggest cheerleaders. As such, you may be able to notice a difference in your child's form and technique, which often times is a tell-tale sign something may be wrong. Ask your child's coach to notify you if s/he is placing more weight on one side of their body, or if it is something more obvious like a limp. - Insist on open communication if your child has pain.
Express to your child athlete that they should inform you and their coach of any pain or discomfort as Es and shin splints. The sooner an injury can be detected, the sooner it can be treated. - If an injury occurs, remember R.I.C.E.
Often times, an injured foot or ankle can be healed with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). If your child complains of foot or ankle pain, they should take a break from playing and allow time for recovery. If the pain persists, it may be the cause of something more serious. Consult a foot and ankle surgeon for a complete evaluation.
Spring is here! At Advanced Podiatry, we are so excited the winter months are finally behind us. With the arrival of warmer weather, we take our activities outside and become more active. Here are some foot care tips that will ready you for the warmer weather:
- Perform daily foot checks-- especially if you are a Diabetic. Check in between your toes and on the bottom of your feet for any cuts, skin changes, blisters, or redness.
- Moisturize: Moisturize your feet daily and make sure you rub it in really well. Avoid in between the toes so the area doesn’t get wet and susceptible to infections.
- Examine your toenails. If they look thickened, brittle, discolored or are lifting please call us so that we can examine them. These may be signs of a fungus attacking your nail.
- Make sure your shoe gear and orthotics are ready! If your shoes or orthotics look and feel worn out and unstable, it may be a good idea to consider investing in a new pair. If you need orthotics for your feet - whether you have flat feet, pain in the ball of your feet, or any other foot and ankle pain, give us a call so that we can help you!
Have a happy and safe spring!
We have about 50 days left until spring! February break is rapidly approaching. After being in boots and shoes all winter, then suddenly transitioning to flip flops and sandals for their vacations many people have foot problems! Here are the most common problems our patients encounter while away.
1) Foreign Bodies - Barefoot walking on an unfamiliar beach or in the water can pose a problem. Every hear we have a few patients come in with wood, glass, shells or sometimes sea urchin spikes in their feet!
2) Blisters - Don't walk on that hot pool deck or sand barefoot! Blisters on the bottom of your foot are very painful, take a while to heel and can really be a bummer on your break.
3) Infections - Fungal, bacterial and viral. Ranging from fungal nails to athletes foot and even warts. You are exposed to all of the above when walking barefoot in warm stagnant water.
4) Heel pain - Sudden transition to a low shoe, flats and sandals is a very common trigger. Consider bringing your orthotics with you.
5) Sunburn - Don't forget to apply to your feet! Your toes are just as prone to sunburn as your nose. Neglecting to apply sunscreen to you feet can leave you at risk fore a painful burn to you foot that can make putting on shoes near impossible.
Have fun, be safe and give us a call if you need anything!
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