Choosing the right running shoe can prevent discomfort and support your training goals. Many runners benefit from selecting a shoe that is a half size or even a full size larger than their regular shoes to allow room for swelling and natural foot movement. It is important to know your running goals, whether you want support for long distances or speed for short runs. Look for materials that enhance comfort such as air pockets for cushioning, foam for softness, and gel for shock absorption. Additionally, replace your shoes regularly to maintain proper support. A podiatrist can assess your foot type, gait, and training needs to recommend the right shoe. If you have foot or ankle pain from wearing the wrong shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional tips in choosing the right running shoe for your goals.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Sham Persaud, DPM from Pennsylvania. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Arthritis in the feet can begin with subtle changes that affect walking. Early signs of arthritis include joint pain in the toes or ankles, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion when standing or walking. Osteoarthritis in the feet often leads to soreness in weight bearing joints like the big toe joint or midfoot, with stiffness that improves slowly after movement. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause swelling and prolonged morning stiffness in multiple toe joints on both feet at the same time. Psoriatic arthritis may involve painful joints, nail changes, and swelling of an entire toe that appears enlarged. Gout often starts with sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in the big toe or ankle. A podiatrist can evaluate symptoms, identify the arthritis type. If you have symptoms of arthritis in the feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Sham Persaud, DPM from Pennsylvania. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Washington and McMurray, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot stress fractures are tiny cracks in bone caused by repeated impact and overuse rather than a single injury. Runners are especially prone to them because of repetitive loading during training and limited recovery time. Poor training habits, such as rapid mileage increases or lack of rest, can overload the bones. Stress fractures commonly affect the metatarsals, or long foot bones in the forefoot, and may also involve the tibia or shin bone in the lower leg. Female runners may face added risk due to low bone mineral density, which can be influenced by hormonal factors and a low-fat diet that limits bone support. Pain often starts gradually and worsens with activity. A podiatrist can diagnose the injury, guide rest and protection, address training errors, and recommend footwear or orthotics. If running pain persists or intensifies, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, helping you to run safely.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Sham Persaud, DPM from Pennsylvania. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Washington and McMurray, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Mid-foot pain can occur at any age, but its causes often change as people move through life. Children may feel soreness from growth-related issues, and teens or young adults may develop pain from sports, jumping, or repetitive impact. Adults frequently notice mid-foot discomfort from overuse or shoes that do not support the arch well. As people get older, gradual weakening of the structures that support the arch can make this area more sensitive. Some injuries in this region, including stress to the navicular bone along the inner mid-foot and damage to the Lisfranc ligament that stabilizes the center of the arch, can become serious if they are missed or treated too late. If mid-foot pain appears suddenly or worsens over time, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Sham Persaud, DPM from Pennsylvania. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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