Items filtered by date: January 2024

As one ages, the importance of foot care becomes paramount for falls prevention. Start by selecting supportive footwear with slip-resistant soles to navigate slick surfaces with confidence. Regularly inspect your feet for any signs of discomfort, changes, or potential issues that may compromise stability. Moisturize to prevent dryness, as cracked skin may lead to instability. Incorporate gentle stretching exercises to maintain flexibility, enhancing overall balance and coordination. Mindful foot hygiene, including regular washing and drying, helps ward off infections that could affect mobility. Stay vigilant in choosing appropriate footwear for different activities, ensuring a snug fit and proper arch support. By embracing these foot care practices, you can create a solid foundation for fall prevention. Falling can impact the feet, and as these practices are implemented, falling mishaps may be prevented. If you are looking for additional falls prevention techniques, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Proper foot health is the cornerstone of overall well-being, laying the foundation for a life of mobility and comfort.  At its core, everyday foot care involves maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, with regular washing and drying to prevent infections. It also entails the choice of wearing appropriate footwear, ensuring a balance between comfort, support, and style. Routine inspections for signs of potential issues, such as ingrown toenails or calluses, play a pivotal role in proactive foot care. A regular moisturizing routines prevents dryness and cracking, while fostering skin health. Incorporating gentle exercises and stretches into daily routines strengthens muscles and promotes flexibility, contributing to the prevention of common foot ailments. If you have developed a foot problem that causes pain or discomfort, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Overpronation, the inward rolling of the foot during the gait cycle, can pose challenges for runners, potentially leading to various injuries. While some pronation is natural and necessary, excessive overpronation may result in plantar fasciitis and other conditions. The delicate balance between foot mobility and stability is important for runners who repeatedly land on one leg. Ankle stability plays a pivotal role in healthy running, and choosing the right running shoes is a key factor. To determine your pronation type, stand on one foot in front of a mirror and observe any wobbling or medial arch collapse. For those who overpronate, selecting shoes with medial arch support and a wider heel can enhance stability during runs. Addressing overpronation involves strengthening weakened muscles. Exercises such as squats, calf raises, lunges, and single-leg deadlifts contribute to foot and ankle strength. Specific drills like heel walks and toe walks target foot stabilizers and may reduce the risk of overpronation-related injuries. Understand your pronation type and incorporate targeted exercises to mitigate injury risks. For a full gait analysis and pronation assessment, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Extensor tendonitis is a common foot ailment that causes pain along the top of the foot. It results from inflammation or irritation of the extensor digitorum and extensor hallucis longus tendons. This condition typically results from friction or excessive pressure caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes and leads to vulnerability of these tendons that have minimal padding. Various factors contribute to the development of extensor tendonitis, including tight footwear, prolonged standing on uneven surfaces, calf tightness, abnormal foot arches, and injuries from dropping a heavy object on the foot. Symptoms, felt primarily on the top of the foot, worsen with activity and improve with rest. They include tenderness, swelling, and bruising. Diagnosis involves a simple test of drawing toes up while resisting the movement. Treatment strategies aim to reduce irritation and inflammation. If necessary, steroid injections can contribute to recovery. For help with pain on the top of the foot, which may be caused by extensor tendonitis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors 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 office located in Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ankle sprain, a common injury, manifests as the stretching or tearing of ligaments that support the ankle joint. The intricate anatomy of the ankle involves three lateral ligaments, which are the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, and all are vital for stability. When subjected to excessive force, often due to sudden twists or impacts, these ligaments can undergo strain or damage, resulting in an ankle sprain. Symptoms of this injury are discernible through localized pain, swelling, and tenderness around the affected area. Individuals with an ankle sprain often experience difficulty bearing weight on the injured foot and may notice bruising. The severity of symptoms varies, ranging from mild discomfort to significant pain and functional impairment. If you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer the correct treatment for complete healing.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.