May 2022

Many experts think it's important for parents to have their children walk barefoot as often as possible. This is beneficial in strengthening the entire foot. Additionally, the toes can become stronger and more flexible by grasping the floor, and circulation and muscle tone may improve. Children’s feet will feel good when they are washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes. There are common foot conditions in children that can easily be prevented.  Ingrown toenails may be avoided when the toenails are trimmed properly.  These can include corns and bunions which generally develop as a result of wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection and may be avoided when appropriate shoes are worn in public areas. When you see your child’s shoes are too small, it is strongly suggested that new shoes are purchased promptly that are comfortable and fit correctly. If you would like additional information about tips on how to care for children’s feet, please speak with a podiatrist.

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 Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. 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 one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Shin splints occur when muscles that connect with the shin bone (tibia) located under the knee become irritated and inflamed from overuse. The medical term for shin splints is medial tibial stress syndrome, also known as MTSS. This condition can occur in physically active individuals and athletes when they do not warm up adequately, increase the intensity of their workouts too rapidly, run on hard surfaces, or wear improper shoes. Pain can be felt across the shin, from the knee to the ankle, and can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions. If you believe you are developing shin splints, consult with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat your condition. Some treatment methods may include custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, physical and massage therapy, and recommending proper footwear. If you are a runner, your podiatrist will evaluate how you run and offer suggestions for stride modifications.

Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, one of our podiatrists of Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Most Common Injuries

People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track. 

What to Do When Injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:

Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.

Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.

Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Everyone can stumble but older people have a higher propensity to falling. In fact, one in four seniors fall each year and the chances of falling double after falling once. Falls can be serious and cause broken bones or a head injury. They can greatly interfere with one’s ability to function and do so independently. Even if a fall is avoided, an older person can become fearful of falls and limit their participation in daily activities. This can further lead to weakness and increased chances of falling. Physical conditions that can make one more prone to falling include lower body weakness, vitamin D deficiency, difficulty with walking or balance, use of certain medications, vision problems, and foot pain. Other issues that lead to a greater risk of falls are poorly fitting footwear or home hazards, such as broken or uneven steps or throw rugs that can be tripped over. Tending to physical and other conditions, getting regular strength and balance exercise, and seeing a podiatrist for evaluation of risk for falling can help as well. As one ages, regular visits to a podiatrist are encouraged as a preventative health measure.

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 one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot cramps are a common and painful complaint that often interrupts an otherwise peaceful night’s sleep. In and of themselves, cramps are simply the result of a muscle flexing and staying flexed for a period of time. This is very common when sleeping, because the feet are usually pointing downward and the leg muscles contract, causing a spasm. The easiest cure is to stretch or massage the tightened muscle. Other symptoms that may appear with cramps are muscle weakness, redness or changes in color to the skin, extremely severe pain, and swelling. These may indicate a need for medical attention. Cramping can also be the result of several underlying conditions, including magnesium or potassium deficiency, dehydration, dialysis, muscle overuse, pregnancy, improper footwear, and side effects from medications. If you experience extreme or frequent foot cramps, it may be a good idea to discuss the condition with a podiatrist who can give you guidance and treatment options.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When a person has diabetes, it is important to have annual foot checks, which might include vascular and possibly other testing of the feet. Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that interferes with feeling in the feet. This can lead to undetected foot sores or ulcers that are left untreated and can lead to foot amputation. A qualified podiatrist will palpate the Dorsal Pedis and Posterior Tibial arteries looking for pulses, review the skin quality, and check capillaries. Things like hair loss, thin, smooth, shiny skin, thick, brittle nails, and tapering toes are noted as they might indicate changes in artery function. Fissuring, particularly in the heels and oedema are checked as these may indicate “ischaemia” or buildup or blockage in the arteries. Diabetics can take action to protect their feet from vascular issues by wearing properly fitting shoes and socks, regular exercise, taking medications as prescribed, and weight management. Regular visits to a podiatrist should be scheduled to stay on top of foot health of diabetics. 

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.