The impact of wearing high heels may profoundly affect the feet. Recent studies explore the potential consequences of prolonged high heel use. Wearing high heels over an extended period can lead to increased energy expenditure and less efficient walking mechanics. The key issue for runners is the restriction of ankle dorsiflexion, the movement that allows your shinbone to pivot over your foot. This limitation not only shortens hip extension and stride but also interferes with the smooth activation of your calf and other muscles during walking. These findings align with the perspective of those advocating for minimalist shoes, emphasizing the influence of any heel, regardless of its size. When it comes to the frequency of high heel usage for runners, the ideal recommendation is to avoid prolonged periods of wear. Occasional use for short durations, such as a few hours at social events, is considered less concerning. However, habitual use during extended periods such as office hours or weekends may bring about lasting changes in biomechanics. Balancing style with foot health involves making informed choices to ensure optimal comfort and functionality for your feet when you run. It is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for guidance about the long term dangers of wearing high heels.

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 Montgomery Foot Care Specialists. 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 office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Properly fitting shoes are essential for foot health, considering that your feet can take thousands of steps daily. Shoe width is equally important as shoe length and can greatly affect your comfort and overall well-being. Shoe width is typically measured around the forefoot, which is the widest part of your foot. However, not all shoe brands offer a variety of widths, making it challenging to find options narrower or wider than the standard. It is important to have your feet measured each time you shop for shoes since your feet can change shape and size over time. Measuring at day's end, when your feet are at their largest, helps ensure you do not underestimate the width. Most people have one foot larger than the other, so choose shoes based on the size of your larger foot. Shoes should fit comfortably from the start, as trying to break in footwear that is too tight can lead to foot problems and pain. In fact, wearing tight shoes can cause common foot issues like corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, and hammer toes, which can be painful and may require treatment, including surgery in severe cases. If persistent foot pain, toe deformities, signs of infection, or underlying health issues such as diabetes or poor blood flow are a concern, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for appropriate guidance in selecting the proper width shoes for your feet.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Montgomery Foot Care Specialists. our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Onychomycosis is a stubborn fungal infection that affects toenails, including the nail bed, plate, or matrix. Common culprits are dermatophytes like trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes, and candida albicans. There are various types of onychomycosis, such as superficial white, proximal subungual, distal and lateral subungual, and total dystrophic. Traditional treatments include topical, oral, mechanical, and chemical therapies. Topical treatments often fail because they cannot penetrate the nail plate. Oral antifungals carry risks of liver and kidney toxicity and drug interactions. A promising alternative is laser therapy. Laser therapy is especially valuable for diabetic and elderly patients, in addition to those with liver or kidney issues. If you have stubborn toenail fungus, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for advanced treatment.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with one of our podiatrists from Montgomery Foot Care Specialists. our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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

Turf toe and gout, although both affecting the feet, originate from distinct causes and exhibit different symptoms. Turf toe, often associated with athletes and individuals engaging in activities that involve repetitive pushing off the toe, is essentially a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe joint. It manifests as pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Conversely, gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis resulting from the crystallization of uric acid in the joints, frequently the big toe. Gout attacks bring intense pain, swelling, and redness. While turf toe stems from mechanical stress, gout is closely linked to diet and metabolic factors. Understanding these disparities is pivotal for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment. If you have toe pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat turf toe and gout.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Montgomery Foot Care Specialists. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.