(410) 721-4505
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114
When it comes to spending time outdoors, activities like camping, fishing and hiking require a different type of footwear, one more durable and especially designed for more rugged activity.
Hiking boots can be made of many different materials depending on what and how you plan to use them. Among them are full grain leather, synthetic and waterproof materials. Boots can also be insulated to protect against the cold and frostbite especially important if you plan on using them during the winter or in inclement weather.
One more important aspect of the boot is the tread. Often the heavier the boot, the more aggressive the tread, but this is not always true. Know the kind of surface you’re going to be walking on, staying away from a hard and slippery tread if you’re going to walk on rocks or other possibly smooth surfaces. A softer and more flexible tread would be better.
If you have any questions about choosing the proper footwear or have any other questions about your feet, call our office and make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and the make the appropriate suggestions or find the appropriate treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.
Depending on your cultural background, you may or may not wear shoes in the house. There might be a good reason for either, but in case you haven’t thought of some of these, let’s discuss whether or not you should wear footwear indoors.
If you do wear shoes into the house, you might want to make sure to have slippers for the times when you are not in closed-toed shoes. This can help reduce infections and the spreading of germs.
Of course, if you have any problems with diabetes, arthritis, or skin infections on your feet, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Visit our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.
It seems like just yesterday that you were saying how you “can’t wait until my baby can walk”. Now, just like that, the little rascal is running around the house, leaving you reminiscing about the good old days when you couldn’t lose track of them.
Now the routine of leaving the house includes making sure to put some shoes on your toddler, or at least bringing them with you – because let’s face it – they don’t want to be strapped in a stroller when they can be running around with you chasing them!
But they seem to be growing so quickly! They only wore that one pair twice before they no longer fit! How can this be? Seems like you’ll be buying new shoes every month at this rate! So you might think, “Better get bigger ones next time so that they can wear the shoes longer.” Or maybe you can just “use hand-me-downs, since they won’t be used very long, right?”
Well, no. Sorry, but we are here to caution you against doing either of those things. Instead, follow these guidelines to make sure your children don’t develop new foot problems from wearing shoes that are wrong for them:
Wondering if your toddlers have problems with poorly-fitting shoes? Do you think they can benefit from corrective shoes or custom orthotics? Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your family’s foot and ankle care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.
What does a nurse, line cook, hairdresser, and a member of the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace all have in common? The answer: they stand for the majority (if not all) of their time at work. While standing still or simply walking around doesn’t seem too difficult, it’s more challenging than you think. It’s especially tough on the feet and ankles, as they do not get enough rest to recover throughout the day.
People who stand all day at work tend to have more issues with their legs, feet, and back, especially if they do not maintain a good posture all day (and let’s be honest, who is able to maintain proper posture the WHOLE time – with the exception of the Queen’s guard?). The surfaces are usually hard, so unless you have supportive, cushioned shoes, as well as a cushioned standing mat, your body can feel much more fatigued than the average office desk employee.
So what kind of shoes can help you if you have to stand all day? Consider the following footwear factors when buying your work shoes:
Take breaks when you can, and try to elevate your feet if you are prone to swelling. When you get home, take a warm foot soak and get a foot massage to find relief and rejuvenate your feet for the next workday!
Do you have overuse injuries or pain from your work shoes? Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry to get an assessment for the right treatment. Make an appointment at our office in Crofton, MD by calling (410) 721-4505. Our office also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.
Other than in winter, flats, especially ballet flats, are a popular footwear choice for women. They are more comfortable than high heels, but are fashionable and can be appropriate for work attire. What you may not know, though, is that it can be the root of your foot pain problems!
While they are the best option for closed-toed fashion footwear, they still have their problems, such as:
They tend to have narrow toe boxes – For those who have wide feet or have bunions, the front part of the shoes can be constricting. Wearing tight shoes like this can cause or worsen symptoms of bunions, tailor’s bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and even neuromas. Rather than ballet flats, loafers or boat shoes may be better options.
Limited cushioning – Flats tend to have minimal inner sole cushioning so that the shoes can be dainty and thin. This can increase impact on your joints while walking and cause foot fatigue.
Little or no arch support – Many times, the inner sole is flat to match the shoe shape, which means that there is no support for the arch. This can cause the foot to work harder to stabilize and cause painful symptoms like that of plantar fasciitis.
Little heel support – Footwear should have good heel cupping and cushioning to prevent heel pain and provide stability.
Unsupportive shoe shape and quality – Depending on the quality and materials that they are made with, they can cause irritation to your feet in the form of blisters and cuts.
The following are some ways to improve your flat wearing experience:
When purchasing flats, make sure to try them on. Try walking around in them. If they are cutting into the top of your feet or feel crowded in the toebox, they are not the shoes for you. Your toes should be able to wiggle around a bit, but not enough that your foot slides around in the shoes.
Recently, podiatrists have been working with shoemakers to design comfortable, supportive flats. Look for these types of shoes with supportive features built in.
For flats that do not have adequate cushioning, arch support, or heel support, try using orthotic inserts. You’ll probably be able to walk around in them for longer without foot fatigue.
Try not to wear shoes barefoot. Even sheer, no show socks can help prevent chafing and blisters.
If you are experiencing foot pain after a long day in your shoes, you may want to consider making a change. For persisting problems that cause you pain, consult with 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 and your family at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114