Many people enjoy wearing flip flops for their various colors and simplicity. There are benefits that avid flip flop wearers recognize, including their versatility, comfort, and relaxing qualities. Additionally, they allow the feet to breathe, and the toes typically have adequate room to wiggle in. They are easy to wear for their lack of laces, and can be good for children who have not learned how to tie shoes. There are some flip flops that are designed with an arch, in addition to being made of comfortable material. Many people enjoy wearing them to the beach, pool, or performing local errands. Of course, while there are benefits there can also be risks, such as blisters. Staggering how often you wear them can help avoid this. If you would like to learn about how wearing flip flops may be good for your feet, a podiatrist can provide you with the necessary information.
Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Achilles Foot Clinic. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
Flip-Flops and Feet
When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops. Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer. However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.
How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?
Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?
Yes. Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections. Common injuries and ailments include:
I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet. These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one our office, located in the South of Calgary, Alberta. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Sever’s disease, despite its name, is actually an injury. Common in active children between the ages of 8 and 14, Sever’s disease refers to the inflammation of the growth plates in a child’s heels. This causes heel pain that can make walking, running, and jumping difficult. Sever’s disease is treated conservatively, through simple and noninvasive methods. If your child has Sever’s disease, they should rest their injured foot as much as possible, limiting any high impact activities that can put pressure on the foot. Inflammation can be reduced by applying ice to the injured heel and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Stretching the calves gently can help increase flexibility and improve recovery. You can protect the heel by wearing comfortable shoes ,or orthotics, and resume normal activities slowly and carefully to avoid re-injury. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist.
Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Achilles Foot Clinic. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.
Sever’s Disease
Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.
Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.
Symptoms
Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.
Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one our office, located in the South of Calgary, Alberta. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.
If your podiatrist suspects that you may have peripheral artery disease (PAD), they will most likely perform a vascular test called a duplex ultrasound. Duplex ultrasound uses two modes of ultrasound: 1) traditional ultrasound to create images of your blood vessels based on sound waves bouncing off them, and 2) doppler ultrasound to estimate the speed and direction of blood by recording sound waves that reflect off it as it flows. Duplex ultrasound is non-invasive and painless. Your podiatrist will spread gel on the skin of the area(s) to be tested, and then wave a transducer wand which emits the sound waves and records the echoes that are reflected. For more information about duplex ultrasound, ask your podiatrist.
Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from Achilles Foot Clinic. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Vascular Testing?
Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.
How Is it Conducted?
Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.
The most common tests include:
These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in the North and South quadrants in Calgary, Alberta . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Vascular Testing in Podiatry
Spraining an ankle is a common injury among those who regularly play sports, particularly tennis, soccer, basketball, handball, and volleyball. The most common cause of a sprained ankle is when your foot points down and twists inward, causing you to land on the outside of your foot. This can also happen when you walk and step into a hole, suddenly change direction on a court or field, or jumping and landing on the foot of another player. These actions can cause the ligament in your ankle to stretch or tear, resulting in pain and swelling. The first thing to do is cease the activity and apply the rest, ice, compression, and elevation treatment plan. In addition, avoid heat, alcoholic beverages, running, and massage, as these may further aggravate your condition. If the pain, swelling, and stiffness persist or worsen after a couple of days, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can thoroughly examine your ankle and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.
Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Achilles Foot Clinic. 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?
Preventing a Sprain
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 one our office, located in the South of Calgary, Alberta. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.
If your big toe joint suddenly gets hot, red, swollen, and very painful, you could be having a gout flare. Gout is an arthritic condition that develops when excessive amounts of uric acid in the body cluster and crystallize on joints—most commonly the big toe joint. Symptoms from a gout flare can last for days or weeks and then completely disappear until the next flare occurs. You may be more at risk of developing gout if you have a family history of it, or if you are male, obese, drink alcohol, eat a lot of purine-rich red meat and seafood, or have certain health conditions like diabetes, kidney issues, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes and more. If you believe you may have gout, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition through an exam and various tests, and help relieve your pain. In severe cases, where large deposits of gout form and normal pain relief methods do not provide relief (or there is joint dysfunction), surgery may be necessary.
Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Achilles Foot Clinic. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one our office, located in the South of Calgary, Alberta. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
