Items filtered by date: November 2022

Corns are thickened areas of skin that can occur on the feet due to friction or pressure. They develop naturally to help protect the skin underneath them. They are commonly seen on the tops and sides of the toes and the balls of the feet. Corns can be hard and dry or soft and mushy. Corns can be caused by arthritis or poorly fitting shoes. Home treatment of corns usually consists of soaking the affected foot in warm water until the skin softens, and then gently filing the corn down with a pumice stone. One needs to use care when with this process and be sure to not press too hard to avoid bleeding and possible infection. Adding a donut-shaped adhesive pad around the corn can help the corn from touching the inside of the shoe. Routine foot care, including moisturizing the feet and keeping the toenails trimmed properly, are good preventative measures. If you are not sure why you have developed a corn, it becomes painful, or is not healing properly, see a podiatrist for treatment.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM of Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Anytime a senior suffers from a fall or a tumble of some sort, the senior might be susceptible to enduring a serious injury. Oftentimes, falls can result from the wearing of improper footwear. Therefore, if a senior wants to take steps to prevent falls from occurring in the future, they might consider selecting better shoes. For example, if a pair of shoes have a heel that is low and broad, this is typically better than shoes with high, narrow heels. The reason is that low, wide heels can offer a senior more stability, ultimately reducing the risk of falling. Additionally, seniors might consider wearing shoes that have tools to keep the shoe on the foot, such as buckles, laces, or velcro. When a shoe does not have any of these features, there can be a poor fixation, making a fall more likely. If you are a senior, don’t take chances with your health or the health of your feet. See a podiatrist today for more information.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Barbara J. Aung, DPM from Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Running can be one of the most exhilarating and rewarding ways for some people to get in their daily dose of exercise. However, there are many things an individual may do before, during, and after running that can increase their risk of developing some kind of running injury. One important example is when an individual does not know when to replace their shoes. For example, sometimes the heel of a running shoe will become so worn down that it no longer provides support to the heel of the foot. The heel of the shoe can become worn down for many reasons. One habit that may be damaging the heels of your shoes is failing to lace and unlace the shoes when taking them on and off. By “toeing off” the shoes, you can negatively impact the heel. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about how to protect the heel of your shoes. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM of Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Wearing flip-flops during the warmer months is simple, stylish, and convenient. Despite these fun facts, they can wreak havoc on your feet. Foot pain may gradually develop when flip-flops are frequently worn. Most flip-flops don't have arch support, and shock absorption is minimal. Additionally, they are not sturdy shoes, and the heels are not cushioned. The toes work hard to keep the flip-flops securely on the feet, and hammertoe may be a foot condition that develops as the toes bend to keep the shoe from slipping off. Flip-flops are designed in different styles, and it is suggested to choose sandals that have a back strap. This may help the toes to maintain balance instead of gripping the front of the shoe to stabilize the foot. If you have questions about what type of flip-flops to purchase, please confer with a podiatrist who can address any concerns you may have.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM from Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor 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?

• 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 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:

• 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 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 our office located in Tuscon, AZ .  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel pain in children is usually not serious or lasting. If a child complains of such pain, has tenderness in the back of their foot or ankle, or is limping or walking on their toes, they may be suffering from one of several conditions. A few common causes of heel pain in children are Sever’s disease, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Sever’s disease can cause heel pain in children who participate in sports and are between 5 and 11 years of age. Experts believe it develops from the pull of the Achilles tendon on the still growing heel bone. Achilles tendinitis, where the Achilles tendon gets inflamed, might be the culprit of heel pain, particularly if the child has a sudden increase in repetitive activity. Plantar fasciitis is also an overuse injury that involves irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the arch from the heel to the toes. It is usually worse in the morning and improves as the day wears on. These kinds of injuries typically resolve with rest. However, it is important to see a podiatrist if your child complains of heel or foot pain in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM of Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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