Foot Care

Ankle & Foot - Overview

Since the foot and ankle are very small relative to the rest of the body, the impact of each step exerts tremendous force upon them. This force is about 50 percent greater than the person's body weight. During a typical day, the average person spends about four hours on their feet and takes between 8,000 and 10,000 steps. This means that the foot and ankle support a combined force equivalent to several hundred tons every day. Below is a diagam illustrating the bones of the foot. There are hundreds of ligaments and dozens of tendons and muscles in and around the foot which allow for “normal” foot function.

Foot Bones - Diagram

Childrens Feet

Children with strong, healthy feet often avoid many kinds of lower extremity problems later in life. Contact our office to have your children`s feet and lower extremities examined.

Infants
The size and shape of your baby`s feet change quickly during their first year. Because a baby`s feet are flexible, too much pressure or strain can affect their feet`s shape. It`s important to allow your baby to kick and stretch his or her feet. Also, make sure shoes and socks do not squeeze the toes.

Toddlers
Try not to force your toddler to walk before she is ready. Carefully watch her gait once she begins to walk. If your toddler`s toe touches down instead of the heel, or she always sits while others play, contact our office. Many toddlers have a pigeon-toe gait, and this is normal. Most children outgrow the problem.

When foot care is needed

To help with flatfeet, special shoes or custom-made shoe inserts may be prescribed. To correct mild intoeing, your toddler may need to sit in a different position while playing or watching TV. If you child`s feet turn in or out a lot, corrective shoes, splints, or night braces may be prescribed.

The foot`s bone structure is well-formed by the time your child reaches age 7 or 8, but if a growth plate (the area where bone growth begins) is injured, the damaged plate may cause the bone to grow oddly. With a doctor`s care, however, the risk of future bone problems is reduced.

Remember to check your child`s shoe size often. Make sure there is space between the toes and the end of the shoe, Make sure their shoes are roomy enough to allow the toes to move freely. Don`t let your child wear hand-me-downs.

Your Feet at Work

Productive workers depend on their ability to use feet safely, with ease and comfort.

When your job requires you to stand on your feet for long periods, work in potentially hazardous areas or with potentially hazardous materials, you have some risk of foot injury. You can do a lot to prevent injuries by keeping your feet healthy and following safe work practices.

In any given year, there are about 120,000 job-related foot injuries, one-third of them toe injuries, according to the National Safety Council.

On-the-job, you should develop safe work habits and attitudes. This includes wearing protective footwear when appropriate. Only one out of four victims of job-related foot injury wear any type of safety shoe or boot, according to the National Safety Council. The remaining three either are unaware of the benefits of protective footwear or complain about it.