Although most feet have never naturally came to a point at the tip, many shoe creations have long been designed with a pointy toe and other impractical shapes. Recently, the creation of foot-shaped running shoes by shoe makers can allow room for the toes to stretch naturally by following the natural shape of the foot. This helps regular runners from avoiding the damage created from constantly slamming their toes into the front of their shoes. Many runners have even gone as far as removing their toenails to prevent blackened toenails; other consistent runners accept the damaged toenails as a twisted badge of honor. The creation of foot shaped shoes saves the toes from damage while also creating comfort and balance of the foot.

Running shoes should be chosen based on their comfort and support. For more information about what to look for in choosing a running shoe, consult with Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can address all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment. 

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
Although it seems simple, running is in fact a complex movement that places stress on the joints, bones, and ligaments of the body. To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes is centered around pronation, which is the rolling of the ankle from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. Runners who supinate require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

To learn about your foot type, visit a local shop that specializes in running shoes. Professionals will be able to measure your stride, gait, and arch type and inform you of your footwear needs.

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

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 Five year-old Thaddeus Delaney was attempting to give his sister a hug when he was suddenly pushed under an oncoming school bus by a fellow schoolmate. The kindergartener ended up breaking three bones in his foot when a third grader shoved him and the Denver Public School bus ran over his legs and feet. After the incident an ambulance took Delaney to the hospital. The event is still under investigation and the school system is looking to implement and anti-bullying plan. “He’s been mean to me all my life,” Thaddeus said of the bully while sitting in a wheelchair with an orange cast on his leg. “There’s gotta be a point where it’s gotta stop, it’s got to,” his mother added.

To prevent any future complications, a broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you are seeking treatment for a broken foot, visit Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot ‘breaking’, or fracturing. Bones typically break when the bone is bent, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 
Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue (foot)
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms, or suspect that they have a broken foot, should seek medical attention in a center where x-rays can be performed. This is especially urgent if any of the symptoms include numbness, blue coloring, cold feet, cuts, misshapen toes or deformities as these indicate more severe cases.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Athlete’s foot is known for being a tough condition to deal with. Most of the time, over the counter treatments are prescribed. However, there are natural home remedies from Mother Nature that can also treat Athlete’s Foot. For example, just apply apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil directly on the affected area to ease the irritation.  

Nature offers a variety of liquid solutions that can be created to treat Athlete’s Foot, in fact. One solution made up of part white vinegar and warm water may work. Another solution consisting of garlic paste mixed with water is also known to be effective. Neem leaves boiled in water for ten minutes is a third available solution available to the holistic patient.

Athlete’s foot can be treated with either prescription drugs or natural remedies like those aforementioned. Consult with podiatrist Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story
If you suffer from itching, burning, dry, and flaking feet, this may be a sign of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be extremely contagious, and it often infects shower floors, gyms, socks and shoes, and anywhere else feet may come in contact with. It is commonly found in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot
- Hydrate your feet by using lotion
- Exfoliate
- Buff off nails
- Use of anti-fungal product
- Examine feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts are present.

What is Tinea?
- Athlete’s foot is often caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea).
- Tinea can invade other parts of the body as well, if the proper thriving conditions for it are met.
- Tinea thrives in mostly dark, warm and moist environments.
- Although many people never experience athlete’s foot, around 70% of the population may suffer from tinea at some point.

For more information about Athlete’s Foot, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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 Val Cornwall of Hillingdon, Middlesex discovered she had hallux rigidus or arthritis of the big toe when she suddenly had trouble walking and noticed swelling underneath the joint of her toe. This occurs over time when cartilage between the foot bones rub together and start to wear away. After taking endless steroid injections and trying other home remedies, the sixty-seven year old decided to seek new treatment. Cornwall’s foot surgeon then introduced her to a trial implant known as Cartiva that would act as a shock absorber where her original cartilage had worn away. Years later, Cornwall is considerably active and states that the ache in her toe had disappeared almost instantly after the surgery.

If left untreated, arthritis of the feet can be very problematic and could potentially worsen. If painful arthritis has been troubling you, consult Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment and alleviate your joint pain. 

Arthritic Foot Care
In an average lifetime, we walk approximately 75,000 miles. This can put a great deal of stress on the 26 bones and 30 joints that we have in our feet. As we get older, our feet lose flexibility and elasticity. Our shock absorbers weaken, and if arthritis comes into play, the joints become inflamed and distorted. Arthritic foot care and treatment would become imperative at this point.

It is best to take care of your feet by wearing well-fitted shoes. Certain conditions may develop when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly, for example hammertoes, neuroma, and bunions. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room in the shoe can help your feet be comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with arch support will help; it is also a good idea to buy shoes that contour to your foot.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain
-Specific exercises may help; stretching the Achilles tendon can prevent further pain and injury. Stretching can also increase your mobility.

For more information about Arthritic Foot Care, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Scientists at Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital and Guangzhou Social Welfare House have conducted a research study about acupuncture that shows the treatment is highly effective in treating heel pain. The study also showed that acupuncture is especially effective when it comes to treating plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.

A group of scientists at Guangzhou used sixty-six patients that were dealing with ongoing heel pain. Some of the subjects were provided a filiform acupuncture needle treatment, while the rest of the patients received the typical pharmaceutical drugs. After a six month period, the scientists found that the patients that completed the acupuncture treatment gave it an effectiveness rating of 97% while the drugs were only granted a 76% rating.
Your life can greatly be affected by even simplest heel pain. If your heel hurts, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry.  Dr. Lapoff can treat your heel pain.  

Causes of Heel Pain

● Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

● Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

● Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

- Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Weight change           
- Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.

With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.  

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

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Over the summer, Sue Asher conducts an aerobic swimming class for the elderly near Manville, NJ. The class involves movement of the feet, legs, and arms with exercises that include arm circles and walking around the pool. The class helps the participants with their arthritis and other joint problems, but it is not too tiring.

“Class starts at 10:45 but between 10:30 and 10:45 we catch up on things that are happening in the town, happening with the senior citizens and it is our social time,” Asher said. “Then we do our exercises and work hard.”

Swimming is very helpful in relieving joint pain and exercising the feet. If you want to learn more about the benefits swimming has on the feet, contact Dr. Kevin Lapoff at Lake Worth Foot & Ankle Care. Dr. Lapoff will let you know if you have any lower extremity problems that could be resolved by exercising in the water.

Benefits of Swimming and Foot care

Our feet receive the most stress on a daily basis. Walking, running, and long standing contribute to pain and stress on the feet. Swimming helps promote circulation and keep the body feeling great and healthy.

Benefits of swimming:

Improve blood circulation

• Swimming is a good, safe way to get in extra physical activity and improve circulation, without causing further trauma to the feet

Relieve aches or pains

• It takes all the pressure off of them, allowing the feet to relax and recover, and     improves blood flow to them.

Circulation overall for diabetics

• Swimming contributes to blood flow, and increase oxygen levels within the body.

Reduce foot inflammation

• Swimming in warm water can increase blood flow and make it easier to move       and stretch the afflicted foot. The feet are also exposed in water, giving them much needed air.

Swimming the helpful alternative:

Many people like the elderly and diabetics suffer from weakened muscles and joints. A water sport like swimming will support the body, thus allowing him or her to move freely.

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

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