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How to Protect Your Feet During the Summer

During the summer months, you may be involved in many different types of activities. Consequently, you should ensure you are wearing the best footwear possible to take care of your feet no matter where you go. If you plan on going to the beach, flip flops may be the most obvious choice of footwear to protect your feet. However, you should be careful not to wear flip-flops for too long. Although they can protect your feet from sharp objects on the ground, they can also be responsible for injuries such as ankle sprains. If you decide to go into the ocean after walking around on a sandy beach, it is recommended that you wear a pair of aqua socks to shield your feet from fragments and rocks. Another place that you may find yourself at in the warmer months is a water park. Water-friendly sandals are recommended for water parks because they can protect your feet from developing athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that can easily be spread by walking on contaminated floors.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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How to Find Shoes That Fit Perfectly

The importance of buying the correct size shoe is crucial to the overall health of the foot. An object that is referred to as the Brannock shoe measuring device is designed to determine the exact size of your foot. This is found in most shoe stores and has proven to be an effective way to choose the right size shoe. Most people will have one foot that is larger than the other and this may typically be due to an inherited trait. Additionally, shoe sizes may change as a result of specific foot conditions such as bunions or hammertoes. Pregnancy will generally affect the size of the foot, and may become wider and longer because of weakened ligaments. Research has shown that buying shoes during the middle of the day is beneficial in finding the perfect fit, because the feet are generally larger during this time of  day. It may be beneficial to notice what material the soles are made of, which may help in preventing any type of sharp object from penetrating the shoe.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

  • Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
  • Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
  • Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
  • Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
  • Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek professional help and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

The Importance of Properly Stretching The Feet While Working

For people who stand or walk during work for the majority of the day, it may be common to experience pain, discomfort and muscle strain throughout the body. Research has shown the importance of wearing proper footwear that will provide the necessary support for optimum comfort. Flip flops, high heels, and sandals may not be the best choice for working on your feet all day. These types of shoes may alter the way you walk, in addition to possibly cramping the toes or shortening the stride. It may be beneficial to stretch the feet before and after work. This may aid in developing the necessary muscle strength to help the feet to feel more comfortable during the day. Effective exercises that may accomplish this, are pointing and flexing the feet, in addition to performing exercises that strengthen the hips, legs, and feet. Please consult with a podiatrist for suggestions and additional information on how to properly stretch your feet.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Why Do Corns Develop?

People who are physically active will often feel the effects of corns on the feet. This condition is generally caused by repetitive friction and will commonly develop on the pinky toe. Despite the fact that the formation of corns is the body's natural defense mechanism, it often produces severe pain and discomfort. The affected area becomes thicker as a measure to protect the skin. This develops into a corn, and is typically caused by wearing shoes that fit incorrectly. Additionally, soft corns may develop between the toes as a result of excess moisture that may accumulate. This may often be the result of wearing socks that are not made of a breathable material. Corns may disappear when the correct shoes are worn but if severe pain is experienced from a corn, please consult with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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