Admittedly, selecting the right shoe size can feel difficult and somewhat intimidating. However, it is still an important task that can be critical to maintaining the overall health of your feet. For example, selecting tight or ill-fitting footwear can make the foot repeatedly rub against the shoe material, which can potentially lead to foot complications. To select the right shoe size, first, you can consider bringing a tracing of your foot with you to the shoe store. On a piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot with a pencil. When considering shoes to try on at the store, you can place the shoe on the paper. If the shoe is smaller than the outline of your foot, then immediately move on to consider another pair of shoes. Second, to select the ideal shoe size for you, you might consider wearing the same kind of socks while you are shoe shopping that you would ultimately wear with the shoes. This is important because if you normally prefer to wear thick socks, yet you try on shoes with no socks or very thin socks, you might find that the shoes eventually feel tighter than you would like. Being an expert shoe shopper is certainly something that takes practice. For more information on how you can select the right shoe size, consult with a podiatrist.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries of people of all ages and lifestyles. This type of injury occurs when one or more ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Usually, an ankle sprain is an inversion injury, or lateral ankle sprain, where the foot rolls inward damaging ligaments of the outer ankle. Less often these types of sprains are medial, or syndesmotic, and affect the ligaments of the inner ankle or the ligaments that join the leg bones. Syndesmotic ankle sprains most often happen in contact sports and are the ones that are more apt to cause chronic ankle issues. The more severe the sprain, the longer the recovery. If you feel you have sprained your ankle, immediately rest, ice, compress, and elevate the foot, as this often helps with pain and reduces swelling. Ankle sprains and fractures are sometimes difficult to distinguish, and an unhealed ankle injury could pose long-term problems with range of motion and stability. If there is more than slight pain and swelling that persists, it is important to seek the guidance of a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat the problem.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. 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 are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

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

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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

Flat feet is a somewhat self-explanatory foot affliction that can affect a wide variety of individuals. This condition occurs when someone has no visible arch in their foot, or it may partially or completely disappear when the foot is on the ground. In other words, people with flat feet have no gap between the ground and the middle point of the soles of their feet. When standing, people with flat feet will be able to press their entire foot flush against the ground. While this condition can occur in children, adults may also be susceptible to flat feet. There are two main kinds of flat feet that you ought to be aware of. The first kind is known as flexible flat foot. This typically occurs in children when the arch of their feet disappears when standing, but it reappears when the child is sitting down. In some cases, children with flexible flat foot will also exhibit arches in their feet when walking on their tip toes. The second kind is known as rigid flat foot. This kind of flat foot is seen in both children and adults who never exhibit any kind of arch in their feet, whether they are walking normally, walking on their tip toes, or sitting down. If you believe you might have flat feet, consider contacting a podiatrist who can provide guidance and assistance.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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

People who work on their feet daily may find their ankles are swollen at the end of the day. This may be a result of circulation issues and wearing compression socks can help to relieve some of the swelling. Some people choose to wear compression ankle braces which may be less conspicuous, and the benefits are often the same as wearing compression stockings. People who stand for most of the day may benefit from standing on a stress mat. This is helpful in decreasing the impact a concrete floor may have on your feet. A foot roller can make the soles of the feet feel better since it replicates a foot massage. Additionally, a heated foot massager may help people with flat feet or who stand all day as it can increase circulation. If you have any questions about how to pamper your feet after working all day, please confer with a podiatrist who can help you.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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