Choosing Shoes for Your Toddler

Choosing shoes for a toddler is an important step because their feet are still developing and the bones are soft. Bare feet at home help new walkers learn balance, but shoes for outdoors are needed to protect the feet from rough or cold ground. When selecting shoes for a toddler, look for soft materials, flexible soles, and fastenings that hold the foot securely without squeezing the toes. There should be enough space at the front for toes to move and spread, and the heel should not slip. Canvas, cotton, or leather help keep the feet cool, while synthetic materials can trap moisture. Your toddler’s shoes should be checked frequently because their feet grow quickly and tighter shoes can inhibit normal foot growth. A podiatrist can evaluate your toddler’s feet and offer advice on proper fit. For help in selecting the proper footwear for a toddler or to address any existing foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule  an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and  appropriate treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Pedram Aslmand, DPM of Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Common Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain can develop from many sources within the feet, toes, and ankles, and understanding these causes can help people seek care before symptoms worsen. Strain on the heel or arch is often linked to plantar fasciitis, which involves irritation of the band of tissue along the underside of the foot. Pressure under the big toe joint can lead to sesamoiditis, which is inflammation and pain of the small sesamoid bones beneath the big toe joint, while friction from shoes with inadequate support can contribute to corns and calluses. Foot structure also plays a role, as flat feet or very high arches can change the way weight is distributed and lead to prolonged soreness. Problems like bunions, ingrown toenails, and warts can also lead to discomfort. A podiatrist can evaluate foot mechanics, provide in-office care, and recommend the best path toward relief, including surgery if necessary. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Pedram Aslmand, DPM from Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. Our podiatrist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Strengthening Your Feet with Targeted Exercises

Foot exercises are an effective way to improve strength, flexibility, and overall foot health. Strengthening the arch supports balance, reduces strain on the plantar fascia, and helps prevent injuries. Foot yoga offers gentle, mindful movements that enhance mobility and alignment. Exercises may include big toe dissociation to improve control and coordination, spreading toes to create space and improve balance, deep plantar fascia stretches to relieve tension, and myofascial massage to release tightness in muscles and connective tissue. Regular practice can improve foot function, reduce discomfort, and enhance overall mobility. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot mechanics, recommend the most appropriate exercises, provide guidance on proper technique, and design a personalized plan to strengthen your feet. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional foot strengthening exercises. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Pedram Aslmand, DPM from Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our podiatrist to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Mid-Foot Stress Fractures in Runners

Mid-foot stress fractures in runners often involve the navicular bone, which lies between the ankle and the front of the foot. Repetitive impact from running can place excessive pressure on this bone. This often happens during foot strike, when the navicular becomes trapped between the talus and the cuneiform bones. The resulting pressure can eventually cause a small crack to form, which leads to pain on the top or inner side of the mid-foot. Because these mid-foot stress fractures are difficult to detect on standard X-rays, advanced imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. Without proper care, the fracture can become worse or heal improperly, resulting in long-term pain or weakness. A podiatrist can assess the injury, ensure accurate imaging, and recommend appropriate treatment or surgery if needed. If you have mid-foot pain while running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and suggested treatment.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Pedram Aslmand, DPM from Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

  • Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
  • Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
  • Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Long Beach, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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