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By Crofton Podiatry
January 07, 2019
Category: Children's Feet
Tags: shoes   surgery   orthotic inserts   child   intoeing  

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.

Possible causes of pigeon toes:

  • Congenital: While he was in the womb, he may not have had enough space for his feet to grow. It could have caused his feet to curve inward.
  • Genetics: Pigeon toes can be inherited from the parents.
  • Twisted leg bones: During development in his toddler years, his bones may have grown a bit twisted, causing the feet to turn inward.
  • Turned hip bones: If the hip bones develop abnormally rotated, it can also cause the rest of the leg to turn.

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.

Treatment options will include:

  • Splinting or casting, if the condition is severe from birth.
  • Stretching and massages to help the foot resolve the problem over time.
  • Orthotic inserts or shoes to help the foot point forward.
  • Surgery, but only if the problem is severe and impedes in the way of life, and does not go away by the time he is 10 years old.

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
December 18, 2018
Category: Foot Care Tips

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:

  • Germs: Yep, when you’re on holiday, your feet are more at risk for encountering germs from new places and other people. It’s easy to catch a foot fungus infection (i.e. Athlete’s foot) when sharing slippers or towels with relatives who already have it.
  • Fireplace: While it is nice and cozy to share the fire with family, be careful not to get burned, especially if you have lost sensation due to diabetic neuropathy.
  • Black ice: As you travel during the cold winter months, be careful of slipping on nearly invisible black ice. Walk in well-lit places and use treaded shoes when walking outside at night after rain or snow, or you could end up with an ankle sprain!
  • Frostbite: During cold weather days and nights, be sure to wear socks with shoes to prevent unnecessary frost to your feet. Change out of wet socks and shoes as soon as possible!

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
October 11, 2018
Category: Bunion
Tags: high heels   flats   shoes   surgery   orthotic  

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?

  • High heels (higher than 2 inches) – Wearing high heels puts an extraneous strain on the forefoot, especially at the big toe joint. The extra pressure can cause inflammation and pain after even just a few minutes. Eventually, it can cause the bony spur to get bigger and more painful.
  • Narrow and/or pointed-toe shoes – While some shoes seem very fashionable and trendy by being pointy or narrow, it’s not actually the right shape for your feet. Forcing your feet to spend the day walking in narrow or pointy shoes can further force your big toe to point toward your other toes.
  • Tight shoes or shoes that are small for you - Don’t forget that your feet swell a little bit throughout the day, so it’s best to find shoes that fit you in the afternoon. Additionally, some shoes do not come in half sizes, so you may have to size up or down. Be careful with sizing down since your feet (and bunions) need space to feel comfortable.
  • Stiff, non-adjustable shoes – Shoes with elastic material, straps, or laces will allow you to adjust your shoes to comfort as the day goes on. Again, tight shoes will only make bunion symptoms worse! If your bunion becomes inflamed, you’ll want to give your feet some breathing room by adjusting them.
  • Flats – Ballerina flats and other flat shoes that do not have arch support can cause more pressure on the big toe joint. If you prefer to wear flats, try adding arch support inserts to feel more comfortable.

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
September 18, 2018
Category: Children's Feet
Tags: swelling   corns   calluses   blisters   shoes   Sever's disease   gait problems  

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:

  • Cranky and keeps touching feet.
  • Does not want to put shoes on and/or does not want you to touch their feet.
  • Wants to be picked up more often, rather than spend time walking or running. Keeps going back to crawling, even after they have become “expert walkers.”

Verbal signs:

  • Complains of foot pain or discomfort (Make sure that their shoes are not too small or too tight).

Visual signs:

  • Redness, swelling, bruising, and/or heat. (After an injury, your child might have some of these symptoms. However, if they won’t go away after a few days of home treatment, there could be a more serious problem.)
  • Blisters, corns, or calluses developing on the feet (Look for these when you have them in the bath or when you are clipping toenails).
  • Toe or foot deformities.
  • Gait problems, such as in-toeing or toe walking. Watch them as they walk to see if something seems abnormal or if they seem to be tripping over their own feet. Some problems do correct themselves as children grow, but it doesn’t hurt to have them checked out.
  • Limping or refusal to run. If feet or ankles are uncomfortable, your children might limp without realizing that they are doing so.

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.

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By Crofton Podiatry
August 15, 2018
Category: Arthritis
Tags: swelling   Gout   shoes   injury  

Gout can be a very debilitating condition to have. It can affect your daily life and require you to make many changes to your lifestyle. This form of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in your joints. It commonly affects your feet, especially your big toe joint. However, it can also affect other joints like the ankles and knees as well.

Following several painful bouts of gout, you may notice a pattern to when they arise. Participating in some activities or eating certain foods can put you at higher risk of experiencing a gout attack:

  • Eating foods that are high in purines (seafood, alcohols) and other inflammatory foods, such as those with a lot of refined sugar (sugary drinks)
  • Drinking excess alcohol
  • Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
  • Taking certain medications that cause a flare-up as a side effect
  • Being sick (including hospitalization, surgery, kidney disease)
  • Wearing poorly-fitting and unsupportive shoes (shoes that aggravate the affected joints can trigger an attack)
  • Jumping or other high-impact activity, injury (impact or trauma to the affected joint can cause a bout of gout)

You may also learn to recognize the symptoms of an oncoming bout of gout, including but not limited to:

  • Feeling: burning, tingling, pain, stiffness, and/or soreness in the joints
  • Seeing: redness and swelling

Do your best to avoid increasing the risk of a gout attack. However, if you have indulged a bit, you may want to take steps to reduce your chance of a prolonged and painful attack. This is especially the case for those who experience gout without warning, even being woken up by sudden painful gout attacks.

When you feel a bout of gout about to happen, or if you want to reduce the risk of gout attacks, try some of the following:

  • Hydrate! Drink lots and lots of water to assist you in flushing out excess uric acid.
  • Exercise! If symptoms have not fully set in, but you feel an attack coming on, you’ll want to keep moving (walk around) in order to promote circulation. It will help you prevent large uric acid buildup. However, if symptoms have set in and you are in pain, it’s best to rest.
  • Rest! If you’re already in pain, sit and elevate your feet. An excess strain on painful joints will worsen the gout attack.
  • Use ice packs or cold compresses and/or take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce inflammation and pain.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with gout, you should keep up with a healthy lifestyle and diet. Keep up with your medications to reduce your chance of a gout attack. However, if you need additional assistance with foot care for gout, 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 assess and take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Contact our dedicated team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

 

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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