Foot and Ankle Doctor Blog Space

Tag: Fall

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Fall Is Coming: Let’s Talk Pumpkin Spice, Boots & Your Feet

Fall is just around the corner, which means cooler weather, cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches—and, of course, pumpkin spice everything! But as you transition from summer sandals to fall footwear, don’t forget about the foundation carrying you through the season: your feet.

From a podiatrist’s perspective, the change in footwear can sometimes bring unexpected foot problems. Moving from open sandals and flip-flops into boots, loafers, and sneakers can mean less room for your toes and more pressure on areas that may already be sensitive.

Fall Foot Trends Your Podiatrist Can Help With

Boots & Booties
Fall boots are a wardrobe staple, but trendy doesn’t always mean foot-friendly. Look for a comfortable fit, adequate toe room, cushioning, and a stable sole. If a favorite pair causes pain, a podiatrist can help determine whether it’s the shoe—or an underlying foot issue—that’s causing the problem.

Sneakers Are Still Having a Moment
Whether you’re walking through a pumpkin patch, exploring a fall festival, or getting your steps in, supportive sneakers can be a great everyday option. If you experience heel or arch pain, your podiatrist can evaluate your foot mechanics and determine whether supportive inserts or other treatment may help.

Pumpkin Patch Season
Those Instagram-worthy pumpkin patch photos can mean a lot of walking—and often uneven ground. Choose shoes with good traction and stability, especially if you’ll be walking through grass, dirt, or uneven terrain.

Pumpkin Spice & Foot Health
We can’t talk about fall without talking about pumpkin spice. Enjoy your seasonal latte, but remember that foot health is part of your overall health, too. Staying active and taking care of your feet can help keep you moving throughout the season.

Give Your Feet a Fall Checkup
Fall is the perfect time to take a look at your footwear and pay attention to any foot or ankle discomfort you’ve been ignoring. Pain, swelling, numbness, or recurring blisters aren’t something you simply have to live with.

Before you head out for your next pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin patch adventure, make sure your feet are ready for everything fall has to offer.

New season. New shoes. Same goal: healthy feet that keep you moving.

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Podiatrists Preventing Falls

Fall related injuries are a serious burden on the public health system. More than a third of older adults fall each year and injuries can result in fractures, head traumas, decreased function and loss of independence in the elderly. Podiatrists can help reduce fall related injuries by evaluating your gait (the way you walk), your strength and your balance.

 

Dr. Dardashti stresses the importance of finding the right shoes. When selecting shoes he evaluates the heel height, sole slip resistance, sole flexion point (does the shoe bend in the correct area), sole hardness and sole thickness. Finding the right shoe increases support when walking thus boosting confidence and decreasing the fear of falling. Custom orthotics can also improve balance and support by evenly distributing pressure and forces, realigning the body in a more anatomically correct position that improves stability and reduces the likelihood of falling.

 

Muscle weakness can reduce flexibility and balance contributing the falls. For these patients Dr. Dardashti recommends braces and AFO’s (ankle foot orthotics). It’s crucial to stretch the muscles of the leg, foot and toes to improve strength, balance and proprioception. The specialists at the Foot & Ankle Doctors, Inc can provide you with simple stretches you can perform at home to improve your strength and balance.

 

Certain foot problems are risk factors for falls that can be addressed by podiatrists such as lower extremity muscle weakness, limited ankle motion, foot deformities like bunions, toe deformities such as hammertoes and calluses. It’s important to see your podiatrist regularly to address any of these risk factors.

Dr. David Dardashti

 

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