April is National Foot Health Awareness Month

Green Country Podiatry can help in getting healthy, happy feet for all.

Dr. Maureen Crotty and Dr. Jeff Finkenstaedt of Green Country Podiatry joke that they might be stepping on some toes by revealing the bad foot practices they’ve seen over their years of treating feet. For one thing, many people severely mistreat their feet just to remain stylish. Although a shoe may look fashionable, it doesn’t mean it’s good for your feet; you could be causing real damage to them simply by trying to stay in vogue.

According to Dr. Crotty, “Crocs and ‘knock-off’ styles, plus other shoes made of rubber or plastic, are generally flat-soled, don’t ‘breathe’ and cause feet to perspire more than shoes made of leather or fabric.” Feet that perspire a lot can lead to the development of foot fungus.

An ideal shoe is one that has an arch support and an enclosed heel for comfort and proper functioning of the foot. If you wear shoes that are flat with a closed toe and an open heel, you could sustain injury by constantly jamming your toes against the front of the shoe or by bending your toes under to keep from walking out of your shoes. This may also cause toenails to thicken, a fungus condition to develop, or even result in a hammer toe. Without proper support, the foot may slide back and forth and from side to side, causing discomfort and foot problems.

Remaining inflexible to changing shoe sizes can also lead to foot problems. Our feet change as we grow older and, therefore, shoe sizes change as we age. If you wore a size 9B in high school, you shouldn’t assume it is still your shoe size. Most mothers find that their feet change during childbearing years. Both men and women should be aware of changing foot sizes, especially after the age of 40. There should always be a thumb’s width from your longest toe to the end of your shoe. And, if the sides of your foot are hanging over the sides of the sole, your shoe doesn’t fit properly.

Diabetes affects blood sugar levels and may cause already-poor circulation to the feet to worsen. Neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves stop functioning correctly and may cause a burning, tingling, or cold sensation in the feet. If you are diabetic, inspect your feet every day to make sure there is neither redness nor signs of corns or calluses. Dr. Crotty recommends that diabetics schedule annual exams with their podiatrists.

Green Country Podiatry suggests that if there is a history of foot problems in your family, your children should see a podiatrist at an early age, have a check-up when they begin walking, and have another check-up at six years of age.

You may have been told that an infant with a foot problem will most likely outgrow it. This is possible, but more likely than not, the problem will only aggravate if left untreated. Many foot problems become increasingly painful as children get older, and they can lead to juvenile bunions or intoeing, otherwise known as becoming pigeon-toed. If their foot condition is left uncared for, children may unconsciously make it worse.

“As a rule of thumb,” says Dr. Crotty, “if foot pain persists for two weeks, I recommend that you consult a podiatrist to determine what is causing the discomfort and see if there is a remedial treatment.” If something like a stone bruise doesn’t go away in two weeks or less, it probably isn’t a stone bruise. Usually, the longer you put off seeing a doctor, the more difficult a foot problem is to treat.

Dr. Finkenstaedt explains that ingrown toenails are a common complaint. They are caused by genetics, wearing shoes that do not fit, wearing too-tight hosiery or socks, or having bone spurs. Green Country Podiatry has a treatment for the condition in which doctors remove the edge of the toenail and destroy with a chemical the growth area while the patient is under local anesthetic. The entire treatment is performed in the office and is virtually painless. This procedure has shown to be highly successful in eliminating ingrown toenails from recurring.

Many foot problems arise by wearing the wrong fit or size of shoe, or by ignoring pain or other symptoms. Be aware of what’s going on with your feet and your family’s feet. Green Country Podiatry can help in getting healthy, happy feet for all.

For more information, contact

Green Country Podiatry

www.gcpod.com

About Author Duane Blankenship

Blankenship graduated from the University of Oklahoma and has enjoyed a lifetime career in advertising. He started his own advertising business in 1993 and enjoys creating graphic art and writing. Hobbies include hunting, fishing and pencil drawings. Duane and his wife, Janice, have been married over 50 years and are active in their church and community. He has been a contributing writer for Value News/Values Magazine since 2005.