Children with Down syndrome are more likely to develop foot and ankle problems that affect balance, comfort, and movement. Flat feet are very common because the muscles and ligaments in the feet are often looser than normal. This can place extra strain on the feet and ankles while walking. Some children also develop bunions, where the top of the big toe leans inward and the main joint forms a bump. Ankle instability can lead to frequent tripping or an unsteady gait. A podiatrist can examine the feet and ankles and evaluate how your child walks. Recommendations include more supportive footwear or custom orthotics to improve foot alignment. Braces can also help support weak ankles and improve stability. Regular foot exams are helpful because some problems become more noticeable as children grow. If your child with Down syndrome has foot or ankle pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact David Reynolds, DPM of First Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Evansville, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing high heels can change the way a person walks by shifting body weight forward and placing extra pressure on the front of the foot. This altered position affects normal walking gait, which is the pattern of movement used when taking steps. The heel is lifted, causing shorter strides and reduced balance, while the knees and hips may bend more to compensate. This can strain muscles, tendons, and joints in the feet and ankles. Increased pressure on the forefoot may lead to pain, calluses, and deformities such as bunions. A podiatrist can evaluate gait through a detailed exam, and may use imaging tests to assess alignment and joint stress. Treatment may include custom orthotics, padding to reduce pressure, and guidance on supportive footwear to improve walking mechanics and reduce discomfort. If you have foot pain after wearing high heels, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact David Reynolds, DPM from First Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Evansville, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A foot puncture wound occurs when a sharp object penetrates the skin and deeper tissues of the foot, often leaving a small opening that may appear less serious than it truly is. These injuries commonly happen after stepping on nails, glass, splinters, or other sharp debris, sometimes even through a shoe sole. The bacterial organism typically associated with puncture wounds is clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus, a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, causing painful muscle stiffness and spasms. Some puncture wounds may also lead to deeper infection, retained foreign material, or damage to tendons, joints, or bone. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, drainage, and difficulty walking. A podiatrist can evaluate the depth of the injury, check for embedded objects, clean the wound properly, and determine whether further treatment is necessary to prevent complications. If you have a painful or worsening foot puncture wound, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for  effective relief solutions.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with David Reynolds, DPM from First Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Evansville, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A number of conditions, including plantar fasciitis, nerve irritation, and Morton’s neuroma, can cause  pain on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue along the arch. It often causes sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning. Nerve-related pain may feel like burning, tingling, or numbness and can worsen with activity. Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of tissue around a nerve, usually between the toes. It may feel like walking on a pebble or cause a sharp, shooting pain in the ball of the foot. Symptoms can become more noticeable with pressure or when wearing certain shoes. Causes include overuse, wearing improper footwear, foot structure, or repetitive stress. A podiatrist can evaluate the source of pain and order imaging or physical examination to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment may include supportive footwear, padding, anti-inflammatory care, and targeted exercises. If you have pain on the bottom of the foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with David Reynolds, DPM from First Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Evansville, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.