(410) 721-4505
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114
When your baby begins to stand and try to take the very first steps, it feels like such a major accomplishment. Your baby is growing up so quickly and learning so much, it’s hard to keep track. The body is also developing at a rapid pace, and now you’ve got to consider so much more when it comes to physical growth!
Before you know it, your toddler will be an expert walker, soon headed to pre-school. Oh, how the time flies. But wait, is he walking a bit strangely? Maybe he hasn’t outgrown the waddle of a novice walker? He might even seem to be tripping over his own feet. Should you be worried?
Don’t fret just yet. Your child might just be intoeing as he learns to walk. More commonly known as pigeon-toeing, it describes a condition in which his toes point inward, toward each other, rather than straight ahead.
The good news is that with time, the condition usually resolves on its own. For those who seem to have more than a mild case of pigeon toeing, our podiatrist can help.
Remember that when it comes to children’s feet, growing pains are not part of growing up. Our podiatrist can guide you through the developmental processes to ease your mind. Make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll to help you find treatment for your children’s feet. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505 today. We provide services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.
When a foot cramp strikes, it can certainly cause a lot of pain. The pain can come about suddenly and last for a while, depending on how you treat it when it happens.
Why it happens is another story. The specific cause of foot cramps is not known, but there seem to be some factors that trigger the cramping:
So what do you do when your foot cramps?
The best defense against foot cramps is prevention! Try some or all of the following to reduce your chances of experiencing painful foot cramps:
If you need orthotic inserts or custom orthoses to help you prevent foot strain, we can help you. To get an assessment for your chronic foot cramps, 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 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, MD areas.
Depending on the type of work you do, you may be required to wear specific types of shoes. Construction workers might need to wear heavy-duty boots, while nurses need to wear safety shoes to protect themselves from needles and other hazards. And while safety comes first, does that mean you should sacrifice on foot comfort and health?
While most work shoes do have some level of comfort and support built in, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s enough for your feet. This is especially true when your work shoes begin to wear down.
The following are tips for making sure that your work shoes are working for YOU:
For some of you, work shoes might mean high heels or flats. The same tips above apply, but the safety features might not be built in.
Everyone who wears work shoes that are not quite fitting properly or comfortably, you may benefit from using orthotic inserts. For those with specific shoe needs, our podiatrist can help you with custom orthotics. Make an appointment by calling our office at (410) 721-4505 to consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, at Crofton Podiatry. He can assess your working feet and prescribe the appropriate treatment or orthotic device. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.
In our last post, we spoke about when you should replace the shoes that you wear so that they will not cause harm to your feet. Now, we’d like to talk about a particular type of shoes (high heels) and how they can affect your foot health.
Whether it’s for work, going out to dinner, dancing, or special events, women have specific foot issues that can be aggravated by or attributed to wearing high heels on an almost-daily basis. The higher the heel of the shoes, the more pressure is placed on the forefoot. The midfoot, balls of the feet, and toes have to endure more strain, leading to more problems such as metatarsalgia, hammertoes, Morton’s neuroma, and/or bunions. Additionally, the tendons and ligaments along the foot and ankles must work harder to keep you stabilized throughout the day.
What’s worse, the high heels make your feet and ankles act like they are walking downhill all day. This means more strain (and therefore, pain) on the calves, knees, and back, throwing your alignment out of whack. So if you have been having back, neck, or shoulder pain, it may be caused by your shoes!
So then, what are my options?
Do you have foot pain from wearing high heels on a daily basis? Make an appointment by calling our office at (410) 721-4505 to consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. He can assess your feet and, if necessary, help you create custom orthotics. Contact our podiatry team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.
You may not realize it, but shoes have a lifespan. Depending on what they are used for and how often they are used, shoes may need to be replaced as often as every 3 to 4 months!
Why is it important to get new shoes?
Maybe it’s because you love to shop for and collect footwear, or maybe you’re an avid runner. Regardless of why you get new shoes, there is a good foot health reason for getting new shoes. Yes, there IS an actual excuse to go shoe shopping!
When you first purchase shoes, the material is usually rigid, there is plenty of cushioning on the insole, and the outer rubber sole provides a lot of traction. Over time, however, the materials can become softer and worn down. The insoles no longer support you the way they once did, and you might feel more impact with every step you take.
Worn down shoes can begin to cause you problems if you do not replace them (or at least remedy them with orthotic inserts). When shoes lose their supportive features, your feet have to strain to stabilize you as you walk or run. The repetitive and long-term strain on your feet or ankles can lead to painful issues such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. Furthermore, if you keep wearing your favorite pair of shoes until they are falling apart, you could also be risking bacterial or fungal growth in the material, which can lead to foot odor or skin disease.
When should I get new shoes?
Look for some of these signs for the right time to replace shoes:
Remember to buy shoes that are comfortable and supportive when you try them on in the store. You shouldn’t rely on them to “break in” and get more comfortable later, as some materials do not allow for it.
Having trouble finding shoes that support your foot needs? Make an appointment by calling our office at (410) 721-4505 to consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. He can assess your feet and, if necessary, help you with custom orthotics. Come see our friendly podiatric team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114