Some pregnant women may often find that their feet have started to swell. Thankfully, there is a broad assortment of home remedies to ease this symptom of pregnancy. For instance, a pregnant woman could try multiple ways to soak her feet in a solution. Water mixed with either peppermint, eucalyptus oil, or salt are solutions that typically work well. 

Regularly getting a foot massage, as well as keeping the feet elevated, would help regulate the blood flow in and out of the feet and legs to ease the tenderness. Swelling of the feet is often caused by salt build up in the body. In order to prevent too much build up, it is a good idea to drink plenty of water daily.

Any pregnant woman may experience discomfort and pain in her feet and ankles due to swelling. If you would like to get your swollen feet examined, consult with podiatrist Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs with the professionalism and care you deserve. 

What foot problems can arise during pregnancy?
One problem that can occur is over-pronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  
Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy, but tends to occur in the later stages.  

How can I keep my feet healthy during pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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Due to many children beginning specialization in a specific sport at early ages, research suggests that children may not want to specialize until adolescence in order to prevent the onset of Severs Disease. These experts advise that specialization begins at 15-yearsof age, when boys have only three years left of growing and when girls are finishing their growth spurts.

 “During growth spurts, the growth plates are at a higher risk for injury,” according to Dr. Liebeg of Akron Children’s Hospital. Sever’s disease is a foot condition that commonly occurs in growing children, especially physically active kids. The condition manifests as the inflammation of the heel’s growth plate.

Parents should not be alarmed if their child has developed Sever’s disease, as it is common in children and can be treated. See podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will attend to all of your 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.

Toe gait- develops in which the child must change the way they walk to avoid placing weight on the heel. This can lead to other problems as well in the future.

Symptoms

Acute pain – pain asscoiatied 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.

For more information about Sever’s Disease, follow the link below.

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

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Athletes looking for self-improvement in the physical realm might look into instability training. Instability training is defined by the use of equipment such as mini-trams, rubber bands, and balance boards. Good use of these tools among others can serve to strengthen the stabilizer muscles in the feet and ankles.

In one example, a routine might involve one foot on a trampoline for half a minute. Another exercise could be moving the feet in a variety of ways while wearing the rubber bands. Standing on the tram and boards and changing position regularly can improve balance and strengthen the lower extremities.

Many people work out, but fewer remember to exercise their feet. To learn about why it’s important to strengthen the feet and ankles, speak to podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can answer all of your questions and instruct you on how to perform some simple exercises.

Exercise for Your Feet

If you spend most of your time on your feet, or don’t either way your feet should deserve attention. There are many people who exercise regularly and still don’t spend enough time to care for their feet. Your foot does get exposure that requires maintenance since your health has a lot to do with footing.

Exercises

Toe rise – this exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 seconds, then resting your feet on ground. This exercise should be repeated three times a day to strengthen the feet.

Toe Pick-ups – the toes are exercises that are done by picking up small items using your toes. This helps strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Three sets along with 15 seconds being held should be completed. Small items like marbles or stationary will work.

Ankle Pump – can be performed upwards or downwards. The workout can be completed both ways at the same time. This involves flexing the foot either towards the shin or to the ground. This makes the foot work very well, working large parts of the muscles.

Stretching – your muscles in the feet need to relax and return to their natural state.

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

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A Dumbarton man named Ronnie McCuaig recently completed the last 54 miles of the 96-mile West Highland Way with flip flops on his feet. He had just overcome cancer, and he wanted to hike the trail as a way of celebrating. But one of his toes got infected right before he was supposed to start, making it too painful for him to wear hiking boots.

McCuaig switched to a pair of sneakers, but after he got caught in a rainstorm they became unusable too. The only other shoes he had were flip flops. He put them on and wore them all the way to the end of the trail. The Mountaineering Council congratulated him for finishing but warned against the dangers of hiking in sandals.

Walking for long distances in flip flops can often cause serious foot and ankle problems. For help dealing with a flip flop-related lower extremity injury, talk to podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can examine your feet and get you an effective form of treatment for your condition.

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, perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

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 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:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like wearing flip-flops, are there safe alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and are made of high quality materials that will support for your feet. 

For more information about Flip Flops and Your Feet, follow the link below.

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

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Roselle Hartsfield has many people to live for. Not only a mother of seven, the East Orange resident is also a grandmother to fifteen and a great-grandmother to seven. At 84, Hartsfield has suffered from diabetes for over three decades, incurring many complications along the way.

“I have glaucoma in my eyes and two years ago, two of my toes got so badly infected that I had to go into a hyperbaric chamber for 39 days to avoid amputation,” Hartsfield reported. Well aware of the risks, Hartsfield says that she fears having to undergoing amputation or even an early death.  Although diabetic-related care has many advancements, patients must still monitor their condition effectively.

All people must care for their feet, especially if you are diabetic. If you or a loved one has diabetes, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will treat your diabetic feet as well as any other foot or ankle concern.

Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes affects millions of people of all ages each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send the proper signals to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in a condition known as neuropathy. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is imperative that the feet are well taken care of to avoid possible amputation of the feet.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet
- Regularly check your feet for bruises or sores.
- Wear socks that fit your feet; socks shouldn’t be tight.
- Wear properly fitting shoes that are comfortable.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their Hemoglobin A1C levels as this test lets the physician know how well the blood sugar levels have been controlled during the past 3 months. It is important to keep the blood sugar levels in a normal range (70-110mg/dl). It is advisable to visit a podiatrist if the diabetic patient is experiencing any conditions involving the feet.

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

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

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A minor foot injury has forced Kyle Beckerman, captain of the Real Salt Lake soccer team, to drop out of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. Supposedly his injury was exacerbated by his participation in the World Cup in Brazil earlier this summer.

Beckerman has been outfitted with a pair of foot orthotics to aid him in his recovery. He was seen doing warm-ups and a light jog during a recent team practice but didn’t do any drills. “We have to be really mindful of Kyle's body, especially going all the way back to Brazil,” RLS coach Jeff Cessar said. “So we have to rest him as much as we possibly can. But his feet are really messed up.”

Sometimes people with foot injuries have to use orthotics to supplement their treatments. If you are interesting in trying orthotics, visit podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoffcan perform a full assessment of your injury and get you fitted for a brace.

What are Ankle Foot Orthotics?

Orthotics are physical aids used to support weak limbs or direct the proper function of limbs. Often they are used to support the ankle and foot. Such orthotics are known as AFOs. AFOs help strengthen the muscles or train them to function in the proper position. AFOs can also benefit muscles that need to be lengthened or loosened.

Why might you need orthotics?

Orthotics are often prescribed when someone is suffering from diseases that affect the musculature, like polio and multiple sclerosis. However, more common conditions like arthritis and stroke, or those that “toe in”, may also require orthotics.

Modern orthotics have improved dramatically from the metal braces of previous years. Many of today’s orthotics are made of lightweight plastics and other advanced materials to provide new levels of comfort and support. Often the orthosis is designed in a rigid L shape that is contoured to the calf and flesh colored.

For more information about Ankle Foot Orthotics, please follow the link below.

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

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Joseph Michael Kai-Tsu Liu Roqueni has been running barefoot across North America for about a year now. He started in Montreal, Canada with the goal of making it to “the end of the world,” a nickname for the city of Ushuaia, Argentina. He’s currently just south of the Mexican city of Oaxaca.

According to Liu Roqueni, he never would have made it as far as he has without help from many of the people he’s met since beginning his journey. Since he started his quest he’s had to switch from running completely barefoot to running in a pair of thin sandals to avoid damage to his feet.

Running barefoot has its drawbacks, but it can be very beneficial to a runners’ performance if he or she is experienced enough. To learn more about barefoot running, talk to podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will explain what precautions you should take before running without shoes on and provide you with practical advice and insights.

Barefoot Running

The Impact of Barefoot Running

-Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet.
-Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.

The Advantages of Barefoot Running

-When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced, this can reduce stress injuries.
-It strengthens muscles in the feet and ankles and the lower legs.
-Balance of the body is improved and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.

The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running

-No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result.
-Blisters may form.
-Possibility of plantar fascia problems.
-Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.

So what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance.

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

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