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Crofton, MD 21114

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Posts for category: Feet Safety

By Crofton Podiatry
October 30, 2018
Category: Feet Safety

What do you usually like to do on Halloween? Trick or Treat with family? Party with friends? Visit a Haunted House? Whatever your plans are, in order to have a fun night on the town, make sure that you take precautions to stay safe! You’ll want to pay a little extra attention to keeping your feet safe since you’ll probably be on them the whole time.

Here are a few tips and tricks for a safe and happy Halloween night!

  • Make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes, with socks! The weather has gotten pretty cold, so stick to closed-toed shoes. You don’t want to come back to numb or frozen toes! If your shoes need to be part of your costume, find creative ways to dress up your shoes or cover them. 
  • Avoid high heels. Sure, an alluring costume might call for a great pair of stilettos or knee-high boots, but there are plenty of fashionable shoes available that do not have heels that are higher than 2 inches. It would be a bummer to have to end the night early because your feet are aching.
  • Does your costume involve a long garment or dress? Be sure that it’s not so long that you’ll trip over it. 
  • Plan out a safe route, avoiding dimly lit areas. If you can’t see where you’re going, you might trip on some debris, the curb, or uneven sidewalks. You might end up with a twisted or sprained ankle.
  • If possible, incorporate some reflective tape into your costume or the back of your shoes. Be careful of bikes or cars speeding by – especially since electric and hybrid cars have become so silent lately.

If you have noticed that a particular part of your feet are tired, even though you didn’t wear high heels or narrow shoes, you may need extra special support for your feet. Our podiatrist can assess your orthotic needs.

Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, who can properly assess your foot or ankle problems. Make an appointment today at Crofton Podiatry by calling (410) 721-4505. Dr. Toll and his staff are ready to improve your foot health at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
December 18, 2017
Category: Feet Safety

When you think about it, there are some clearly identifiable dangers to your foot health, such as blunt trauma and sports injuries. But did you know that some of your everyday habits might be posing risks as well? While some are a bit more obvious than others, we encourage you to review the following risk factors to see how much you know about what can be affecting your foot health!

Where you walk:

  • Outdoors – For those who like to be barefoot, you can have exposure to disease and sharp objects.
  • Indoors –When walking on smooth surfaces, you want to be careful of slipping. Older adults, in particular should wear non-slip socks or slippers. However, when walking on carpet, you do not want non-slip soles since they can trip you up.

The Way You walk:

  • Gait – Depending on the way you roll your ankles, the way the feet touch the ground, you may be more prone to having heel or ankle pain. You may want to get a gait analysis done by our podiatrist to screen for risks.
  • Heavy stomping – If you tend to have “lead” feet when you walk, you may be more prone to ankle, knee, and hip pain from the impact on hard floors. Wearing cushioned slippers can reduce the impact experienced by your legs.

Shoes you wear:

  • Size matters! – Be sure that you and your children wear shoes that fit appropriately. If shoes are too small, feet will be crammed and can develop corns and calluses. If shoes are too big, feet can slide around inside and they have to work harder to stabilize you, resulting in sore muscles.
  • Flats, flip flops, high heels, and pointy toe shoes – These do not have adequate support and can lead to injury as well as strained muscles and tendons as your feet and ankles work overtime to keep you stable. High heels put excessive pressure on the balls of the feet as well as cram the toes. This can lead to bunions and other foot deformities, as well as arch and heel pain.

Your workouts:

  • Not stretching your ankles and calves, sudden increases in workout, and high impact activities can all be causes of injury due to your physical activity routines. Overuse injuries, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are typical foot problems from your workouts. 

Lifestyle and other Risk Factors:

  • Being overweight or obese and/or having a sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor circulation and excessive strain on the feet.
  • Smoking – Among a host of other health problems, you have a higher chance of developing Peripheral Artery Disease, in which plaque builds up in your arteries, making it hard for blood to reach your feet. Your feet can begin to feel pain and be slower to heal injuries.
  • Drinking excessively – This can lead to alcoholic neuropathy, in which there is weakness, pain, and tingling in the hands and feet. Eventually, nerve damage can result in loss of sensation and poor circulation, which means poor healing.

While not a complete list, these are risk factors that you should check often when considering foot health. If you have found that one or more of these may be affecting your foot health, consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to receive a thorough assessment. Contact our dedicated team at our Crofton office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.

 

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By Crofton Podiatry
November 15, 2017
Category: Feet Safety
Tags: Orthotics   blisters   stretch   injuries  

Falling leaves can be quite a beautiful sight in the autumn. The bright, sometimes fiery colors seem like a nice reminder of the changing season. Unfortunately, it also means that those leaves are falling and covering our yards and streets. Not only does it make it a bit messy and unsightly, but it can also be slippery and a site for critters to hide in.

This means that we have to roll up our sleeves, get out the rake, and get to tidying up our yards, walkways, and driveways. While not the most dangerous activity, there are a few risks of injury. The following are some tips for staying injury-free while raking leaves:

  • Stretch and warm up. Again, it may not seem like a hardcore activity, but after a while (especially if you have a large yard), it can become strenuous. Your neck, back, shoulders, wrists, and knees are important areas to focus on.
  • Wear the proper gear and clothing. Be mindful of the weather. Has it been very windy and dry? You may want to wear a mask to prevent yourself from becoming irritated by the dust particles. If it has just rained, be sure to wear non-slip boots. This will ensure that your feet stay dry and protected from irritation, and will lower the risk of slipping. Try not to rake while standing on wet leaves since you can easily slip on them.
  • Speaking of footwear, your shoes should fit well and have non-skid outsoles, as well as good support on the inner soles. Good arch support and heel cups can reduce the strain on your feet and therefore your back.
  • When raking, try to maintain a good posture. Don’t bend over too much or you might strain your neck or back. Additionally, if you lean your weight forward, you may not be able to balance if you do slip. This could lead to injuries in your feet or ankles.
  • Give yourself time to rest while you work. Your body will overcompensate and overworked muscles and tendons will take longer to heal if you don’t. Work in sections if you have to – you don’t have to do it all in one go.
  • Finally, after you’ve finished, be sure to stretch and cool down. Check your feet for any bugs, cuts, blisters, or other issues. Chances are, after hard work, your feet (and the rest of your body) will appreciate a soak or warm shower to relax and recuperate. Listen to your body.

Got the right boots, but need more support? You may benefit from custom orthotics. Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to receive a thorough assessment. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
June 07, 2017
Category: Feet Safety

The warm weather means more than fun in the sun. It also means caring for your lawn and fixing up your landscaping around your house. For those that maintain their lawns on their own, it’s important to be aware of the risks that come with using motorized landscaping tools like power mowers with rotary blades.  Thousands of Americans suffer power mower injuries each year, with hand and foot injuries topping the list of injury sites. Children younger than the age of 14 and older adults seem to be more likely to get injured.

At Crofton Podiatry, we put the safety of our patients first. The following are guidelines you can follow to prevent injuries while using a power mower:

  • Safety gear: Wear goggles, hearing protection, long pants and closed-toe shoes with gripped outer soles. Use protective gloves when putting your hand near the blades (Try to use a stick or something else instead of your hands if possible) to fix something or replace blades.
  • Weather: Only mow lawns in good weather. A wet lawn can put you at risk of slipping and injuring your foot.
  • Children: Keep children and pets away from the lawn while mowing or using other landscaping tools. They may run up to the machines without you realizing it. Do not allow them to ride on the lawn mower, and do not allow them to even sit on an adults lap while on a lawn tractor as they can get injured while getting on or off.
  • Clear the Lawn: Before you start mowing, clear the lawn of toys, branches, and other debris so that they do not become projectiles when caught in the rotary blades. Children should be at least 12 years old before using a lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a riding mower.
  • Power landscaping tools: Buy ones that have auto shut-off when your hands release the handle. You also need to get one that is appropriate to your landscape – steep hills are a no-no for riding mowers.
  • While mowing: Always keep the clip bag attached. Mow across and not up and down hills. Also, never mow backwards unless you don’t have any alternative as it is high risk for injury if someone is behind you.
  • Tool maintenance: The power tools should be stored away from high traffic areas and out of reach of children. Only adults should adjust blade settings. Power mowers can get very hot and cause an explosion or fire. Refueling when hot can lead to burns. Never service the mower while it’s running (including unclogging or unjamming the blades) – shut it off and let it cool down first.

Injuries from power landscaping tools should be treated promptly! Go to the emergency department for severe injuries. For strains or sprains from using mowers, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
February 15, 2017
Category: Feet Safety

When it comes to everyday routines, humans tend to be creatures of habit. So when it comes to caring for our feet, an often-neglected part of our body, it’s best to make it a daily part of self-care. Since most of us are leading busy lives, small changes around the home can help keep your feet clean, comfortable, and healthy.

Try some of the following tips to help you better care for your feet:

  • Unless you have specific reasons for not doing so, take your shoes off at the door. Your shoes can carry all sorts of germs (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) from wherever you may have been walking all day. If you have young crawling children, they are susceptible to these germs even if you are consistently cleaning. Your feet can also pick up these germs after you’ve thoroughly cleaned them in the shower, pretty much defeating the purpose.
  • Have a shoe rack near the door for airing out your shoes. Putting them straight into a closet or shoe cabinet can prevent them from properly drying from excessive sweating or rain. Also, if they are smelly, it’s best to air them out and use a shoe spray.
  • You may also want to keep a container of socks by your shoes. This way you are not tempted to put on your shoes without socks, which can cause odor, shoe rot, or even infections on your feet if you do it often enough.
  • Does your back hurt from standing for long periods of time on the hardwood? You may notice this if you’re cooking or cleaning in the kitchen for a long time. Anti-fatigue mats help your feet and back from getting tired and sore. In the kitchen, put them in front of the sink, island, or oven. In the office, put them in front of your standing desk or large easel.
  • Safety First! Make sure you have a rubber mat in the bathtub to prevent slipping.
  • Another safety precaution is to have anti-slip strips or a stair liner to prevent slipping while going up or down the stairs. This is especially important for homes with young children or older adults.
  • If wearing slippers indoors, make sure you have the proper kind. For medium to high pile carpets, slippers SHOULD NOT have grippy soles since they can get caught and cause you to trip.  For hardwood floors, slippers SHOULD have the grippy soles so that you don’t slip. Again, this is especially important for homes with older adults.

If you have other specific needs for foot or ankle disorders, ask your board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll for tips on how to set a routine. Small changes can make a big improvement to your family’s foot health. Make an appointment today for your annual podiatry check up at Crofton Podiatry by calling (410) 721-4505. Our team is ready to help you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505