(410) 721-4505
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114
Are you doing any spring cleaning? If you’re starting with your closet, don’t forget to include your shoes. With spring sports and more outdoor leisure time on the way, it’s time to make some changes. Dr. Brad Toll of Crofton Podiatry has a few tips to guide the spring cleaning that will leave you with only the best shoes for your feet.
Take a look at your shoes. What are they telling you? If you see worn soles or holes, it’s time to let them go. If the heels are too high or have become uneven, this is also a tripping hazard.
Fads come and go, but comfort and support will always be in style. If you have shoes in your closet that you rarely wear out of fear of discomfort or pain, let them go. Don’t wear shoes that lead to blisters, pain, corns or calluses. A day of style is not worth future pain.
Stinky shoes shouldn’t be ignored. Putting them back on in the new season won’t make the odor disappear either. Before saying “goodbye,” address the cause of the smell to avoid a repeat. Did you not let your shoes air out? Do you have a fungal toenail? Are you skipping out on socks?
These custom-devices should be hand-washed and allowed to dry out each night. You depend on orthotics to help with your pain and discomfort, so you want to make sure they’re in the best shape. If you have questions about the health of your orthotics, schedule an appointment; it may be time for a new pair. Custom orthotics typically last longer than over-the-counter orthotics, so continue making this investment.
If you have a new foot or ankle condition this spring and need help with deciding on the proper footwear, call us today at (410) 721-4505 to schedule your appointment. Crofton Podiatry serves patients in Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD. Dr. Brad Toll is a board-certified podiatrist with more than 20 years of experience.
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.
During the holidays, you have a lot to think about – cold weather, travel arrangements for the family, gifts, and, of course, gearing up to see all of your overbearing extended family members!
But we wanted to take a moment and remind you about how you can think about your feet during this time. For most, you’ll have some amount of travel during the holidays, so here are some tips to keep your feet happy as you go home for the holidays.
Pack your shoes – Unless your travel is just up the block to your parents’ house, you might want to bring more than just your one pair of shoes. If you’ll have some walking to do in the snow, wear your best, most waterproof boots. Then, make sure you bring some flip-flops in case your hosts are not the cleanest (or wears shoes in the house while you don’t). Finally, bring comfortable walking shoes if you’ll be going out for holiday events in town.
Schedule in rest and relaxation – No matter what your holiday travel plans, your feet will be doing a lot to take you from place to place. Doing some last minute shopping? Your feet will be the ones helping you run around. Climbing up 50 steps to your relative’s 4th floor walkup? It’s only possible thanks to your feet. Gripping the snow-covered ground to the mountain cabin your family rented? That’s hard work provided by your strong and healthy feet.
So why not give them some well-deserved rest with your feet up? Take turns with family members to give and receive foot massages. Yay for new holiday traditions!
Take cautions – There are a few issues that can put your feet at risk for foot problems:
Have concerns about your feet as you travel? Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our podiatry team is ready to assist you with your foot and ankle issues at our office in Crofton, MD, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie.
While the wrong types of shoes may not directly cause bunions, they can be the reason why they become worse. Long-term use of shoes that do not have the proper foot support can lead the bunion becoming larger, stiffer, and more painful.
So what actually causes bunions?
While the exact cause is unknown, it seems that genetics, injuries to the big toe joint, and excessive pressure to the forefoot causes the big toe to begin pointing toward the other toes. The bony spur develops as a response to direct pressure, improper healing, or as a support to the big toe joint.
Then what types of shoes make bunion symptoms worse?
What is the lesson learned? If you have bunions, don’t make them worse with the wrong shoes. Try looking for footwear that is low-heeled, comfortable, roomy for your toes, supportive for your arches, and adjustable throughout the day.
Of course, those with severe bunions already should speak with our podiatrist for the best solution. You may need custom orthotic shoes to fit severely deformed feet. Surgery might even be necessary if bunions really get in the way of your life.
We can help you! Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Come to visit our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.
Depending on the age of your children, they may or may not be able to vocalize their foot problems to you. Some children might even ignore or hide foot pain or discomfort so that they do not have to “go see the doctor.”
Remember: Foot pain is NOT normal for growing children. Pain in the feet or ankles should not be attributed to growing pains. If your child complains of discomfort, it’s more than likely that they have a foot problem that needs attention, such as Sever’s Disease. Bring them in as soon as possible to receive an assessment with our podiatrist.
The following are signs that your child might have a foot problem:
Non-verbal signs:
Verbal signs:
Visual signs:
Because children’s bodies continue to develop and grow, it’s best to correct problems before they become worse. Some children need some orthotics to help them feel better, while other children might need surgery to correct a major deformity. Our podiatrist can help you find the best solution for your children’s foot problems.
Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to see our board-certified foot doctor, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Our team is ready to assist you and your family at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114