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Posts for category: Footwear

By Crofton Podiatry
April 24, 2019
Category: Footwear
Tags: podiatrist   hiking boots   running shoe   proper fit   feet  

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 broken down into three main categories. They are:

  • Low cut and light weight – very near a running shoe with basic cushioning.
  • Day hiking boots – Usually a mid-ankle type of footwear that provides more ankle support and will usually have a more aggressive sole. Used for midday hikes with a light backpack.
  • Backpacking boots – Mid ankle to high footwear designed to carry heavy loads with the most aggressive tread.

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.  

Tips for choosing the right boot:

  • Know your size – Measure your foot in the store.
  • Wear the right socks – wear the socks you plan on using with the boot for a proper fit.  
  • Boots should be snug and supportive– Your foot should be comfortably snug like a regular shoe, especially with the laces tied firmly. They should also provide proper support for walking on hard surfaces or long lengths of time.
  • Proper laces – choose braided laces if you can, avoiding leather or cloth. Both the latter eventually rip and tear, very frustrating if you’re on the trail and they suddenly break.
  • Try new boots on at the end of the day – Your feet swell by late afternoon, so make sure they fit when they are a little bigger.

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. 

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By Crofton Podiatry
November 27, 2018
Category: Footwear
Tags: arthritis   Diabetic   ulcer   fungi  

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.

Why you might want to wear shoes in the house:

  • Diabetic feet – One of the possible complications of diabetes is nerve damage from high blood sugar levels. Your feet can experience tingling or complete loss of sensation. This means that if you drop a glass cup and it shatters, you might step on a sharp piece that wasn’t picked up, and not even realize it. This could lead to an open wound that doesn’t heal (ulcer). Wearing shoes in the house could protect your feet in those situations. If wearing outdoor shoes does not appeal to you, buy some shoes that are for indoor use only.
  • Arthritic feet – There are many joints in the feet that can be affected by arthritis and gout. Wearing orthotic, supportive shoes can help reduce the repetitive impact that walking barefoot on hardwood floors can have. Your feet can be cushioned and comfortable as you go about your day at home.
  • Outdoor pets – If you share a home with a furry friend that goes in and out of the house, you might also be fine with wearing your shoes in and out of the house as well. Otherwise, you’ll probably want to clean their paws every time you take them in and out of the house as they track dirt and germs in.

Why you might NOT want to wear shoes in the house:

  • Dirt – Sure, a little dirt never hurt anyone, but now you’ve got more cleaning to do on a regular basis as your shoes track in dirt and, on rainy days, mud.
  • Germs – Some of that dirt and grime that lives on the bottom of your shoes include many harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. Think about that public bathroom you just went to where people might have missed the toilet bowl. Now you’ve stepped in that and brought it home with you! Furthermore, if you wear shoes and then take them off to be barefoot, you risk your feet getting infections from the germs carried in.
  • Children – Speaking of dirt and germs, while they can help build your children’s immune systems, it may not be the best idea to have them crawling on the floor on unclean floors. You know that they put their hands and mouths on everything, wherever they go. So why not keep your home free of the dirt and germs that your shoes carry in?

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
June 06, 2018
Category: Footwear
Tags: shoes  

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:       

  • Be sure to measure your toddler’s feet each time you need new shoes. After all, you should buy the right size since you need a bigger size anyway. But they might even need 2 sizes up from the last ones you bought. It’s best to see which ones look like they fit better, rather than guessing. Additionally, each brand may have slight differences in shoe size, so having your toddler try them on is better than purchasing by number. Don’t be tempted to buy 2 sizes larger than ones they actually need because this can become a hazard for injury/tripping for your toddler. Their little feet will also need to strain more to stabilize in larger shoes.
  • Have your toddler try shoes on with socks. Sometimes, it’s easier to just throw some shoes on your toddler without socks. However, this can lead to irritation of their skin and can actually make it harder for you to get their feet into the shoes!
  • Do not give them hand-me-downs. This goes for toddlers and growing children. The biggest issue here is that some shoes can wear down more quickly than others. Growing feet should have all the support they can get so that they do not develop painful problems.

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.

 

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By Crofton Podiatry
January 16, 2018
Category: Footwear

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:

  • Cushion – Look for shoes with more cushion on the insoles than regular shoes. If you have to, add orthotic inserts to give you even more cushioning.
  • Fit – Shoes should fit well. They shouldn’t be too small, narrow, or tight as that can cause problems like hammertoes, bunions, or corns. They shouldn’t be too big either, as your feet will have to strain to stabilize you, causing overuse problems like plantar fasciitis.
  • Support – If you have flat feet or fallen arches, you’ll want to make sure you have good arch support. Otherwise, you may be standing or walking in an overpronated position all day, straining other parts of the feet like your Achilles tendon (causing Achilles tendonitis).
  • Material/Protection – Depending on your worksite, try to choose shoes that are breathable so that they do not get overheated and sweaty, which could lead to foot odor and fungal or bacterial growth. However, if you will be at risk of injury from heavy or sharp falling objects, adhere to the work site’s dress code for shoes and add orthotic inserts as needed. You may also want to change your socks mid-shift if you tend to sweat a lot (like with hyperhidrosis). 

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
August 07, 2017
Category: Footwear

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.

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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