Archive for August, 2009
A Podiatrist’s Guide To Children’s Shoes
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on August 12, 2009
Most children learn to walk at about the time of their first birthday, although some learn months earlier or later. As your child begins to walk, you may have your first questions about what shoes he or she should wear. A growing child will need new shoes frequently and more questions will arise.
To help you answer these questions and find the proper shoe for your child, here are some suggestions:
The Fit
Pay attention to the shoe’s proper length, width and depth when fitting your child’s shoe. Poorly fitting children’s shoes can cause toe problems, ingrown toe nails, hammertoes, calluses and bunions. Children’s feet grow in spurts and they require new shoes every three to four months. Most early toddlers (under 16 months of age) grow more than one-half a foot size in two months. Toddlers from age 16 to 24 months grow an average of one-half a foot size every three months. The young child, 24 to 36 months old, grows approximately one-half a foot size every four months and children over 3 years of age experience increases of one-half a foot size every four to six months. Seventy percent of children wear shoes with D and E widths. Most boys wear E width and most girls wear D width. A tie-fastened shoe can accommodate most widths. You should examine the depth of the shoe to make sure the top of the shoe doesn’t press on the toes or the toenails. Look for shoes with rounded toe boxes to give the toes more room for movement. Remember, shoes should be comfortable from the start. If new shoes need to be “broken in”, it means either they were not properly designed or not properly fitted for your child’s foot.
The Appropriate Shoe – Pre-walking Shoe.
Certain types of shoes are appropriate for your child’s age. Babies and crawlers do not need shoes. They only need booties, warm wide socks to keep their feet warm or pre-walking shoes that do not bind their feet. The shoe should be flexible rather than providing a rigid support and it is very important that the shoe be shaped like the child’s foot. Your child can go barefoot in a protected environment such as indoors.
Toddler Shoes.
Shoes for toddlers, age 9 months to 3 years, should allow the foot to breathe since their feet perspire a great amount. Avoid synthetic materials that do not breathe. For children 9 to 18 months, choose a high top shoe which will stay on the foot better than an oxford or a low top tennis shoe. A leather or canvas tie shoe is more secure, will stay on the foot, and will fit fat little feet better. The sole of the shoe should be smooth like the palm of your hand. A smooth sole means less friction so the shoe won’t grab the floor, possible causing your child to fall. Choose a light-weight shoe, since children use a lot of energy walking at this age. Toddlers can go barefoot in a protected environment such as indoors.
School-Age Children’s Shoes.
Style and shoefit is important for school-age children. At this age, they can choose from a variety of options including athletic shoes, sandals, hiking shoes, etc. Look for reasonable priced, flexible, well-ventilated shoes that allow plenty of room for growth. If you have a great deal of difficulty finding shoes that fit, or if your child develops calluses, sores, or other foot problems, consult your family podiatrist.
Podiatrists Prescribe Orthotics To Alleviate Common Foot Problems
Posted by drchrismilkie in Orthotics on August 3, 2009
When your feet hurt, even the simplest task can be agonizing. Consumers often look for quick relief, particularly to over-the-counter insoles or arch supports, to ease pain commonly caused by foot conditions or improperly fitted footwear. What these over-the-counter products lack is a medical diagnosis. Prescription orthotic devised prescribed by Podiatrists are designed specifically for your foot. They are intended to correct common ailments or abnormal walking patterns and aid in alleviating foot pain. These days, retail store advertising “custom-made” inserts, arch supports and insoles are cropping up on street corners across the country. Research suggests that many people who wear orthotics purchase them in a retail store rather than from a trained health care professional. While all these foot health products tout similar remedies, buyers can benefit from understanding the differences between medically prescribed orthotic devises and over-the-counter shoe inserts. Dr. Milkie offers the following guidance for consumers purchasing a device to help save their feet and wallets from the agony of ineffective or damaging foot care products. 1. Don’t live with foot pain. A Podiatrist provides comprehensive care by examining, diagnosing and treating foot pain. Based on a patient’s diagnosis, Podiatrists often prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many common foot ailments. Only a licensed health care professional can diagnosis and prescribe medical treatments, including orthotics. 2. Find the prescription that’s right for you. Prescribed orthotic devices fall into three broad categories: a. RIGID, which primarily attempt to maintain the foot in the proper functional position; b. SOFT, which offer minimal support but primarily help absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off sore spots, and c. SEMI-RIGID, which provide a combination of functional support and balance while walking or participating in sports. Wearing the wrong type of shoe insert can be detrimental to feet, especially for people with diabetes or arthritis. Additionally, the more rigid the device, the greater chance the patient has of developing complications. Spending more can get you less. Not all over-the-counter shoe inserts are effective no matter the price. Consulting with a Podiatrist before trying products from retail stores can help consumers select a device that treats their ailment, thus saving them time, pain and money. Beware of the build-up. Consumers shoud be wary of products with lofty claims or promises of comfort based soley on size. Without proper diagnosis, even “custom-made” inserts can be inadequate.
IGI
Heel Pain…A Very Common Foot Problem
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on August 1, 2009
Pain in the heel is one of the most common complaints I see. In fact, according to studies, over 2 million people suffer with this condition yearly. Why is it so common? Is it because we are an active society and put too much stress on our feet? The answer is yes, but there is more to it than that.
The type of heel pain I am referring to is the pain someone would feel on the bottom of the heel. (Pain in the back of the heel is a whole different condition.) Pain on the bottom of the heel usually is present when you first step out of bed. It is also present when you get up after sitting for awhile or after you have been on your feet for awhile.
This condition is usually a strain and inflammation of a large tendon that attaches to the heel bone. The strain can come from overuse, excessive weight, wearing unsupportive shoes, an injury or flat feet. There is a specific foot structure and movement of the foot that predisposes one to this strain. If your arches are flat, you like to go without shoes around the house and you wear mostly flat shoes, you are at high risk for this condition.
Heel pain can happen to all age groups, men and women and whether you sit or stand at work. Of course, some professions such as teachers, nurses and anyone who stands all day, are more prone to this strain. If you stand all day, wear shoes with little support and are over weight, your chances of developing heel pain dramatically increases.
Treatment of heel pain can be very easy or quite challenging. It usually depends on how soon someone with this problem decides to get it treated. Unfortunately, the average time it takes for someone to consult a specialist for this condition is 3 months. If treated within one month, most heel pain can be eliminated in one or two visits. Waiting longer than a month to be treated often results in several more visits and modalities needed to stop the pain. In fact, the need for surgery increases the longer one waits to be treated.
There are several things you can do to help prevent heel pain. (1) Wear shoes at home even if it is something like crocs. (2) Keep your weight under control. (3) Wear high quality athletic shoes such as New Balance or Brooks when exercising or standing a lot. (4) Stretch your calf muscles daily. (5) Gradually increase your activity level to avoid overuse strain.
If you experience pain in your heel, or know someone who does, see a Podiatrist sooner rather than waiting. It may only take one visit to fix the problem.