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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
April 17, 2019
Category: Ingrown Toenails

There are many reasons why you might find yourself limping due to pain in your feet or toes. It could be a bunion, callus or corn all of which are quite treatable. One, though, may require more than average especially if it’s not taken care of. An Ingrown toenail may sound somewhat minor to the average person, but if not taken care of can require surgery to fix, something most people will want to avoid if possible and do if needed.

An ingrown toenail is when your toenail starts to grow into the actual toe groove causing pain and discomfort. What may start out to be a slight issue can quickly escalate.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails include:

  • Poor fitting shoes – shoes that are too tight at the toes not allowing for growth and pushing the nails inward.
  • Poor trimming – nails that are not trimmed properly can grow this way.
  • Family History – a history of ingrown toenails in your family can be passed on to relatives.
  • Trauma – trauma to the toes may case nails to grow inward.

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include redness, swelling, pain and possible drainage from an ongoing infection. Any or all of these can indicate an ingrown toenail. In other words, if the toenail is ingrown you will know it by how it looks and feels.

If you do have an ingrown toenail you will want to see your podiatrist as they are best trained to assess and treat them. You want to catch it before it progresses too far, and surgery is needed. To avoid getting them you will want to do the following.

  • Wash your feet with anti-bacterial soap to keep feet and toes clean and dry.
  • Cut your nails straight across, not on a curve.
  • Cut them when they are soft like after a bath or shower.
  • Wear proper fitting shoes not too tight or too loose at the toes.

Treatment beyond trimming the nails could include the podiatrist cutting out the sides of the toenails to stop the ingrown nail from growing further which in most cases is quite successful.

If you believe you have an ingrown toenail or any other concerns with your feet, call our office and make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and 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
April 09, 2019
Category: sports injuries

With more and more activity coming this Spring, athletes often develop foot problems. Three of the most common include Turf Toe, Stress fractures and Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. 

Turf Toe

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe from excessive upward bending of the big toe. Jamming the toe or repeated push-offs when running or jumping can also cause Turf Toe. Sports such as basketball, running, football, tennis, soccer, wrestling, dancing and gymnastics are often prone to this. Turf toe is common on artificial turf.

Treatment for Turf Toe includes:

  • Rest – Temporarily stopping the activity causing the pain.
  • Ice – putting ice on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes 3 times a day until the pain disappears.
  • Compression and elevation – wrapping the toe to stabilize and support it and keeping it elevated above your heart when at rest.
  • Surgery – in the most extreme cases surgery may be needed.

Stress fractures are caused by sudden force which causes a split in the bones. Fractures can also occur with repeated lower force trauma to the foot. Poor diet and menstrual irregularities can also contribute to fractures as do bulimia and anorexia since they all affect bone health.

Treatment for a Stress fracture includes:

  • Rest – Stopping your activity will allow your fracture to heal.
  • Ice – place ice on the effected area the recommended 20 to 30 minutes, 3 times a day until better.
  • Better fitting footwear – wear footwear that strongly supports your feet.
  • Increase activity slowly – when healed do not rush back to the same level of activity. Slowly build your workout according to how you feel.

The third condition athletes can suffer from is Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. Tarsal Tunnel is when the posterior tibial nerve in the space between your bones and tissue is pinched causing the base of your foot to go numb.

Treatment includes:

  • Pain meds – anti-inflammatory medicine.
  • Cortisone – shots of this pain reliever in the foot.
  • Better fitting footwear – Wearing more supportive footwear. See your podiatrist for recommendations.
  • Surgery –a podiatrist will cut the tarsal tunnel and relieve pressure on the tibial nerve.

What is good about these is that they can all be successfully treated with a visit to your podiatrist.

If you believe you may any of the above conditions or any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and 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
April 01, 2019
Category: Shin Splints
Tags: podiatrist   flat feet   footwear   stretch   shin splint   insoles  

With warmer weather on its way, Spring promises to provide more and more opportunities for outdoor activities. Basketball, running, tennis and other sports all require the constant pounding of feet against the ground, and with this, can follow something called a shin splint. What is a shin splint? Defined as a common foot-related injury, shin splints, also known as tibial stress syndrome, is caused when stress on your shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to your bones become inflamed and painful, making running or even walking very difficult.

Causes of Shin Splints:

  • Flat feet – The lack of an arch to absorb shock every time the foot hits the ground.
  • Poor fitting footwear – footwear must fit your feet and provide overall support, especially for hi-impact sports or activities.
  • Failing to stretch before activities - It is very important to stretch the foot and leg muscles before any activity to loosen them and get the blood circulating.
  • Weak ankles, hips and core muscles – as the body works in unison, each works in tandem to help the foot better absorb shock.

How to Treat Shin Splints:

  • Rest – if injured, take time off from your activity giving your body time to heal.
  • Ice – putting ice on the affected area will reduce pain and inflammation. It is recommended you do this for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until it is better.
  • Insoles – wear store bought or custom insoles or inserts that strengthen your arch.
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine – ibuprofen or other medicine. Be especially careful to use only as directed. Your podiatrist would be the best source of information.
  • Surface choice – if you’re a runner who likes to run on hard pavement, consider finding a softer surface like an artificial track often found at high schools or other public areas.
  • Medical exam – see your podiatrist to make sure you do not have any other related injury.

If you believe you are prone to or already have shin splints or any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and 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
March 27, 2019
Category: Diabetes
Tags: corns   calluses   bunions   flat feet   Diabetes   Hammertoes  

There are many causes for foot problems. One of the most serious, however, is diabetes. Today, there are approximately 100 million Americans with diabetes. World estimates run to 371 million with 187 that don’t know they do. Diabetes is a condition where there is too much blood glucose or blood sugar in your body. In order for our bodies to work properly, the glucose must get into our cells providing much needed energy. To help do so, insulin must be taken. Feet then need special care.

Too much glucose can damage our eyes, kidneys and nerves. Diabetes can cause strokes, heart disease and the need to surgically remove limbs, so it is important to take your insulin on a regular basis.

Risk factors for diabetes include:

  • High blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage your body’s ability to pump blood.
  • Obesity. Being overweight which many people are.
  • Family history. If your brothers, sisters or parent has type 2 diabetes.
  • Age. If you are 45 years old or older.
  • Lack of Exercise. Being active less than 3 days per week.

Foot problems associated with diabetes:

  • Corns. Increased layers of skin on your foot on the small toes or outside of the foot.
  • Calluses. Thickened skin between toes or at the widest part of your foot.
  • Bunions. Deformity of the big toe joint.
  • Flat feet. The lack of an arch in your foot.
  • Hammertoes. Deformity of the toes where they bend in at the middle joint.

Early signs of diabetes include:

  • Urination. An increased need to urinate.
  • Increased thirst. A constant desire to drink liquids.
  • Increased appetite. Constant hunger.
  • Exhaustion. Feeling unduly tired.
  • Vision problems. Blurred vision and difficulty seeing.
  • Weight loss. Losing weight unexpectedly.
  • Wounds. Cuts or bruises slow to heal.
  • Numbness. Peripheral neuropathy is a numb or tingling sensations in your limbs or feet

If you believe you may have diabetes or any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and 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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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
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Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505