Displaying items by tag: proper shoes

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that families all over Long Beach, Douglas Park area in California are preparing for that annual back-to-school shoe shopping trip. Of course, we think that the most important item on your list is new shoes. The choices you make for your children’s footwear can increase overall foot health and decrease the risk of injuries and podiatric disorders. Take our true/false quiz below to see how you score on shoe-shopping knowledge.

If I know my child’s shoe size, it’s best to reduce the hassle and order them online.

False—shoe size can vary among different brands and styles. You shouldn’t buy any shoes for your child without having them try them on. You also shouldn’t assume you know your child’s foot size. Children’s feet can increase a half size in as little as four months. It’s best to take your child to a shoe store, have their feet professionally measured, and then have them try on the shoes you are considering buying.

It’s best to shop first thing in the morning while my child is fresh and not cranky.

False—although your child may be in a better mood early in the day, that’s also when feet are at their smallest. Shoes bought then may feel tight later in the day and result in blisters or foot pain. Shop late in the afternoon or after dinner to ensure that shoes will feel comfortable all day long.

There should be some room in a shoe between the big toe and the front of the shoe.

True—about a thumb’s width (half an inch) of space will ensure that your child can move their toes and forefoot comfortably in the shoes. Tight toe boxes can lead to ingrown toenails and foot pain. You should also choose shoes that have firm heel counters, arch support, and a cushioned foot bed.

The podiatrist can offer recommendations regarding shoe styles for my child.

True—our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas will be happy to examine your child’s feet and make suggestions about proper footwear. It’s particularly important that you make an appointment at our Long Beach office if your child has sustained a foot or ankle injury recently or has a chronic foot condition such as flat feet or weak ankles. Contact us by calling: (562) 420-9800.

Here are some facts about lawn mower safety that may surprise you: lawn mowers produce three times the kinetic energy of a .357 handgun, with blades that spin at 3,000 revolutions per minute. It’s no wonder that more than 37,000 Americans are the victim of a power mower accident every year. Many of these are foot and toe injuries. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we want to help our patients keep their feet safe and prevent mower injuries. Below are our top tips:

1. Wear the right shoes. Sneakers and sandals will not protect your feet if they come in contact with a mower blade. Work boots or another heavy shoe are the right choice. And, although it seems obvious, mowing barefoot is not a good idea (and yet each year there are patients in the emergency room with injuries because of this!)
2. Never mow your lawn right after it rains. Even if it is inconvenient, don’t take a chance of your mowing slipping and losing control of it on slippery, wet grass.
3. Keep children away. The two age groups most likely to suffer power mower accidents are children under the age of 14 and adults over 44. No matter how much they beg, do not let children ride in your lap while you are mowing. Also, be sure your children know not to approach you while the mower is running. The noise of the machine makes it difficult to detect that children are nearby.
4. Treat any and all injuries immediately. Of course, in case of a major injury you will go to the emergency room. Even more minor injuries, however, such as a cut or a twisted ankle getting on or off the mower needs prompt treatment. If you have injured yourself mowing in a non-emergent way, call our Long Beach office to make an appointment at: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas will conduct a complete examine of your feet and determine the best course of treatment for your injury. Remember that lawn mower blades are dirty, which creates a higher risk of an infection developing in a cut from a mower blade. Look for signs of infection: pus, redness or warmth around the injured area and fever. Report these to us immediately.

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that our senior patients have special health care needs. Paying attention to and caring for your feet is essential to your overall health as many diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and certain nerve or circulation problems may first show symptoms in the feet. Maintaining mobility also means freedom to go where you wish and participate in the activities you love. Here are some ways that you can help protect the health of your feet if you are over 60:

• Take care of your eyes—wait, weren’t we just talking about feet? Yes, but many patients whose vision is failing have trip or fall accidents which result in sprained ankles or fractures in the foot. January is Glaucoma Awareness month. This disease currently affects more than 3 million Americans. Called “the sneak thief of sight,” vision loss from glaucoma can come on gradually and is irreversible. However, a simple eye exam can test for glaucoma (and other eye disorders) and treatment can prevent blindness. In fact glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness.
• Wear shoes that fit properly without rubbing or squeezing any part of your foot. Choose shoes that have good arch and ankle support and a non-slip tread. Replace worn out shoes.
• Protect your circulation by walking frequently, avoiding sitting for long periods with your legs crossed and by not smoking.
• Keep toenails trimmed straight across and not too short to avoid ingrown nails.
• Inspect your feet daily (or if you are unable to do so ask someone to do for you). Look for bumps, bruises, swelling, changes in color, shape or skin discolorations or rashes. Report any changes to our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas. Regular podiatric checkups are also an essential part of senior foot health. Most foot problems can be more easily treated and with less invasive measure if detected in their initial stages. If you have any foot concerns, contact our Long Beach office for an appointment today by calling: (562) 420-9800.