Dr. Mallory Eisenman

Don’t ignore pain in your feet! Symptoms that increase or do not resolve within a reasonable period of time need to be evaluated by your podiatric physician.

One of the reasons that a podiatrist is so effective at treating foot conditions is that he or she uses a cross section of information to diagnose you. In fact, everything from your vocation and lifestyle to your family history is considered before assessing and diagnosing any foot issues.

Did you know that chronic foot injury or illness can be a sign of a more serious medical condition? Your feet are a mirror for the rest of the body in regard to overall health, and conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and even nerve or circulatory problems will show up first in your feet.

Do you inspect your feet on a regular basis? You should consistently check your feet to ensure there have not been any changes in color, texture, or overall appearance, including under your toenails.

Treatment options for bunions depend significantly on how much discomfort the bunions cause. In most cases, wearing shoes aggravates bunions, and the extent of the pain is usually the main indicator of whether you need some type of surgical procedure.

Relief. Sometimes it’s as simple as soaking your feet in cool water. When it seems like there’s more going on, a professional assessment can help you decide what needs to be done and the best option is a podiatrist, who has the training to know everything about our feet.

While a podiatrist’s area of specialty is primarily the foot, they also sometimes treat other areas, too. 44 states in the US currently allow podiatrists to also treat disorders of the ankle, and some allow treatment above the ankle as well.

Feet take a lot of abuse that can result in cracked and dry. Regular applications of moisturizer will keep your feet smooth and healthy. You can even massage moisturizer into your feet before going to bed.

What are the three characteristics children’s shoes need to have? A stiff heel you can test the condition of the heel by pressing on the sides of the heel counter, if the heel collapses pass on that style - a flexible toe and a rigid middle.

It’s important to remember that not everyone can comfortably wear the same type of shoes. Let’s talk about the shoes you wear most often and whether they could be contributing to your foot and ankle issues.

One of the most common foot problems is a bunion, which occurs when a bump develops on the inside of the big toe over the metatarsal bone in your foot. While bunions are commonly hereditary, they can also result from shoe wear.

It’s estimated that roughly 20 percent of all Americans experience at least one type of foot injury or illness per year. Other common ailments include toe fungus, ingrown toenails, bunions, flat feet, and fallen arches.

A person with diabetes may gradually lose feeling in their feet. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot becomes impaired and this can lead to abnormal pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot and make it sore.

Did you know that you should always have your feet measured before you buy a new pair of shoes? In fact, this is a good habit to get into, as foot length and width can change unexpectedly. Always get them measured while you are standing for greatest accuracy.

What are bunionettes? They are smaller bunions that form at the base joints of your little toes. Bunionettes can be caused by conditions like arthritis, an inherited structural defect, or wearing tight shoes that crowd your toes and push joints out of alignment.

If you’ve been suffering from unexplained lower back or hip problems, it may be time to look lower for the source of your pain. Remember, issues with your feet can change your body’s alignment, creating issues in areas you may not expect.

A great tip to remember while shopping for shoes is that shoe sizes are not the same across brands. So, with one type of shoe brand you might wear a 7, while in other shoe brand you might wear a 7.5 size. Be sure to check how different sizes fit when shopping for shoes.

Remember, foot pain is not normal. If you are experiencing foot pain, ignoring the issue will only lead to more severe pain. Instead, a prompt appointment and diagnosis can end foot pain for good before it progresses.