More than half of Americans annually resolve to exercise more, according to polls, but before you hit the gym be sure to address how a workout can impact your feet.

Podiatric physicians Dr. Craig Beaudis and Dr. Michael Daniels at Ankle & Foot Care Centers, with 19 offices in the MahoningValley, recommend heeding the following advice:

(1)     Time for new shoes. Athletic shoes that are more than a year old have lost their support and may cause an increase in foot pain or possibly injury. Invest in a new pair of shoes.

(2)     If the shoe fits. Be measured by an experienced salesperson or podiatric physician, and purchase shoes based on fit, comfort and its intended use. A running shoe, for instance, will not provide the lateral support needed for tennis or basketball.

(3)     About that blister. Blisters are caused by wrinkles in socks, poor-fitting shoes, excessive moisture or deformities. Powder or additional padding can help avoid blisters. Avoid the temptation to pop the blister.

(4)     Heel pain can be a warning sign. Don’t ignore persistent pain in the heel, especially if it occurs in the morning or after resting. This may be plantar fasciitis. If stretching before taking your first steps in the morning and after sitting for long periods does not resolve the pain, see a podiatric physician.

(5)     Don’t ignore nagging pain. Chronic foot and ankle pain after exercising should be checked out. A podiatric physician can develop a treatment plan that alleviates your pain and improves your exercise regimen.

(6)     Diabetics can exercise, too. People with diabetes should have annual foot exams, at minimum; more frequently if you have poor blood flow or loss of sensation. Most diabetics are also eligible for diabetic shoes, which are designed to reduce the incidence of foot ulcers. A podiatric physician can provide proper measurements for therapeutic footwear.

(7)     Too much, too soon. Tendinitis may occur by overdoing it too soon. Slowly begin your exercise program, and warm up and stretch appropriately. Treat tendinitis with rest, ice and anti-inflammatories. If it does not resolve, see a podiatric physician.

Injuries to the feet are among the more common reasons why the “exercising more” resolution gets broken. Without healthy feet it’s difficult to maintain the momentum and good habits the well-intentioned set out to achieve. Best wishes for staying true to your resolution, and have a safe and healthy new year.

If you need further advice on how to care for your feet upon starting an exercise program, the expert podiatrists at Ankle & Foot Care Centers can help. To schedule your appointment today at one of 19 locations, visit the website at http://www.ankleandfootcare.com.

What can happen? For adults, injuries can range from blisters, corns and callouses to bunions, ulcers, plantar fasciitis and hammertoes. The severity of injuries can be as extreme as amputation, particularly when compounded with existing conditions such as diabetes.

In children, many of the same issues can occur, as well as additional ones such as damage to the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. Made of soft cartilage, the growth plate is more susceptible to injury than mature bone.

For many families on tight budgets, buying and wearing proper footwear is easier said than done. But following some practical advice can help extend the life of shoes and help avoid many of these foot health problems:

1)      Be measured for shoes in the afternoon or evening. This is when your feet are the largest and most swollen, allowing for the most properly sized shoe.

2)      Unlace shoes every time they’re removed.

3)      Hand wash shoes with vinegar and water rather than using a washing machine.

4)      Keep shoes as dry as possible. Leather shoes that get wet wear out faster.

5)      Use baking soda to help remove foot odors.

If you need advice on how to treat heel or foot pain, the expert podiatrists at Ankle & Foot Care Centers can help. To schedule your appointment today at one of 19 locations, visit the website at http://www.ankleandfootcare.com.

These injuries of overuse can include pulled muscles, ruptured Achilles tendons, plantar fasciitis and many more. In most cases, though, they are preventable through proper training.

When you begin an exercise regime or other physical activity, it’s important to gradually build up to your desired level of activity. Over time, your feet, ankles and legs can adjust to the demands your activity places upon them, reducing your risk of injury tremendously.

If you need advice on starting a new exercise regime or suffer from an injury of overuse, the expert podiatrists at Ankle & Foot Care Centers can help. To schedule your appointment today at one of 19 locations, visit the website at http://www.ankleandfootcare.com.

PRICE is an acronym that stands for:

• Protect
• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

When your foot, ankle or leg sustains an injury during activity, it’s important to cease the activity immediately in order to protect the affected body party from further injury. After that, you must rest the area.

Next, applying ice to an injury can reduce swelling and irritation as well as pain. During this stage of treatment, you should alternate applying ice and leaving it off so the skin does not become too cold.

Compression can also reduce swelling. An ACE bandage wrapped securely, although not too tightly, around the affected part is ideal for compression.

Lastly, elevating the foot or ankle above the level of the heart can further reduce swelling and speed up healing.

Following the PRICE method of injury treatment is important until you can see a doctor about your injury. If you need to schedule an appointment with one of Ohio’s expert podiatrists, then visit our website at http://www.ankleandfootcare.com or call the location nearest you.

It’s important to try to prevent blisters, not only because they’re painful, but because they can become infected, requiring more serious medical intervention by a skilled podiatrist. People can take a number of precautions to prevent blisters before they begin, such as:

• Break in new shoes gradually
• Wear high-quality socks made of acrylic or other synthetic fibers
• Apply a petroleum jelly like Vaseline to a spot where blisters might occur before exercising
• Wear a Band-Aid on an area prone to blistering to protect it from irritation

If you do develop a blister, know that it will go away with time. It’s best to avoid puncturing or lancing a blister in order to let it heal on its own, but in some cases, it can’t be avoided. If you must puncture the blister, simply make a small hole with a sterilized needle or blade. Do not remove the skin that covers a broken blister, as it will protect the new skin underneath from infection. Cover the area with a bandage and let it heal.

Most everyone will develop a blister on their feet at some point in their lives, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying exercise and athletics. Just take care of your blisters and you’ll be back on your feet in no time.

Wearing high heels frequently can lead to a number of complications and foot conditions, such as:

• Morton’s neuroma
• Achilles tendon pain
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Metatarsalgia

In addition to these painful conditions, the nature of high heels causes ankle instability and an increased risk of falling, which can lead to a sprain, a fracture or an even more serious injury. Women who wear heels frequently report more foot pain than women who choose more sensible footwear, and the negative effects only increase over time.

Next time you’re getting dressed for work or a night on the town, think twice before selecting those high heels. Plenty of stylish shoe choices exist that will cause less pain and discomfort further down the road.

A skilled podiatry doctor can advise you on footwear that can provide stability, support and style. If you would like to learn more about the foot and ankle conditions that can be caused by high heels, visit our website at http://www.ankleandfootcare.com or schedule an appointment at any of our 19 convenient Ankle & Foot Care locations today.

When you shop for shoes, it’s important to select the right shoe for the job you intend to do. Running shoes are made differently than soccer cleats, which are in turn different from casual wear shoes. A trusted podiatrist from Ankle & Foot Care Centers can consult with you about the type of shoe you need and make recommendations based upon your individual case.

There are a number of things to keep in mind as you shop for shoes which can help ensure you purchase the correct pair:

• Try on shoes before you buy them to ensure they fit properly.
• Measure your feet occasionally, as the feet spread and increase in size over time. Don’t assume you wear one size simply because you always have.
• Shop for shoes in the later afternoon, when feet are at their largest.
• Look for shoes with roomy toe boxes to avoid cramping, but snug-fitting heels for support.
• If a shoe isn’t comfortable, don’t buy it! Uncomfortable shoes can cause a number of problems over time.

If you would like more information about the right shoes for you, please schedule an appointment today with a skilled podiatrist from Ankle & Foot Care Centers.

• Neuropathy, wherein patients lose sensation in their feet
• Susceptibility to foot sores and ulcers
• Dryness in the skin of the feet
• Poor circulation in the lower extremities
• Risk of necessary amputation

If you suffer from diabetes, you must be more vigilant than others about taking proper care of your feet, ankles and legs. These consequences of diabetes can be prevented with good foot care habits, however. Diabetics can take many strides to ensure their feet remain health, including:

• Checking the feet daily for sores, inflammation, and more.
• Keeping toenails trimmed neatly.
• Making sure the feet remain cool and dry.
• Wearing socks and shoes to protect from foreign objects.
• Being active to increase and improve circulation.

If you are one of the many Americans who suffer from diabetes, you and your podiatrist can develop a foot care routine that will protect your feet for years to come. To find an expert foot and ankle specialist inOhioand schedule an appointment, please visit Ankle & Foot Care Centers on the web or visit one of our 19 convenient locations.