Items filtered by date: September 2023

High heels have long been celebrated for their ability to elevate fashion and style. However, it is important to recognize that these fashionable footwear choices can come at a significant cost to the health of your feet. One of the primary concerns is the alteration of your foot's natural position. High heels force your body weight forward, causing an unnatural distribution of pressure. This can lead to conditions such as bunions, hammer toes, and metatarsalgia. Additionally, the increased pressure on the balls of your feet can cause pain and calluses. The elevated heels also reduce the length of your calf muscles, which can lead to shortening of the Achilles tendon and discomfort. Wearing high heels regularly may also contribute to balance issues and an increased risk of ankle sprains. While high heels may be a fashion statement, it is essential to wear them in moderation and prioritize your foot health. Consider lower-heeled options or flats for daily wear, saving those stylish stilettos for special occasions. If you would like more information about the dangers of wearing high heels, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking. 

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Itasca Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Itasca and Hoffman Estates, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Children's feet are a critical part of their development. Children's feet continue to mature until about age 13. For that reason, providing them with appropriate shoes from an early age is important for their natural development. Kids experience rapid growth, with up to nine size changes in their first three years. Regular measurements and well-fitted shoes are necessary during this period to prevent deformities. Moreover, children's feet endure about three times more stress than adults due to their high activity levels, making shoes with shock absorption, proper footbeds, and durability vital. Additionally, it is important to recognize that foot problems in adulthood often stem from childhood issues, like ill-fitting shoes, emphasizing the importance of proper footwear. Furthermore, arch support for children differs from that of adults, as children's arches develop later. Look for shoes that provide arch support or high-quality footbeds. Breathable materials like leather and canvas are ideal, while shoes made of plastics should be avoided. The right shoe size matters as shoes that are too small or too large can lead to discomfort and hinder proper growth. In the debate between soft and hard sole shoes, both sides have valid points, but hybrid options offer a balanced solution. If you would like to ensure the best foot health for your child, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to have your child’s feet examined and to heed recommendations made by this expert.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Itasca Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Itasca and Hoffman Estates, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs are bony protrusions on the underside of the heel bone that in some cases can cause discomfort and pain. It is generally believed that heel spurs form when calcium deposits accumulate over several months on the calcaneus, or heel bone. However, heel spurs can also be associated with other foot issues, such as plantar fasciitis, where inflammation of the tissue under the foot can contribute to their development. In addition, certain medical conditions like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, all of which damage the joints, can result in heel spurs. Risk factors of heel spurs include having flat feet, engaging in high-impact aerobic exercises, and aging, particularly among people over 62 years old. Obesity, overpronation, and wearing high heels can significantly raise the risk of heel spur development. In fact, younger women tend to have a higher incidence of heel spurs, possibly due to the use of high heels, which can impact foot biomechanics. If you're experiencing heel pain, especially if it's persistent, it's suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from Itasca Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our offices located in Itasca and Hoffman Estates, IL . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Lisfranc injuries, though rare, can have debilitating consequences if not properly managed. These acute and traumatic injuries affect the tarsometatarsal joints in the midfoot, ranging from mild sprains to severe dislocation fractures. These joints help to transfer force between the rearfoot and forefoot during walking. Recognizing Lisfranc injuries involves noting diffuse pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight around the midfoot. The pain peaks when the midfoot becomes a rigid lever for weight transfer. Dismissing these injuries as mere bruising can lead to complications like post-traumatic arthritis and chronic pain. Staying off the foot, stability, and strengthening can lead to recovery. Exercises and orthotics can also help. Treatment may include wearing a special boot and controlled weight bearing. Lisfranc injuries are complex but manageable. To regain proper mobility and prevent long-term complications from Lisfranc injuries in the foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Itasca Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, 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 in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

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 our offices located in Itasca and Hoffman Estates, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.