Parents can have differing opinions when it comes to their children walking barefoot. Their reasons can range from the child preventing a foot injury when the shoes are kept on to children possibly having a heightened sense of their environment while walking barefoot outdoors. Recent studies have shown that waking barefoot may benefit the brain and nervous system and this may result from the child being more conscious of their surroundings. An additional benefit can be improved balance due to the feet getting accustomed to walking on various surfaces. Frequently wearing shoes may inhibit the natural toe spread and may gradually lead to sustaining a foot injury. Falling episodes may be reduced when the lower legs and feet are strengthened by walking barefoot. If you have questions about your child’s foot development, please confer with a podiatrist who can confirm if walking barefoot is good for their overall development.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Nicole C. Rodriguez, DPM of Personal Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments that support the ankle over-stretch or tear. Ligaments connect bones to each and help to stabilize joints. Sprains injure ligaments, while strains affect muscles and tendons, but the symptoms of these two things overlap. An ankle sprain is most apt to happen from a fall, a blow to the ankle, overuse, or twisting of the ankle. It may cause intense pain in the joint, cause swelling or bruising, and make it difficult to move the ankle or walk. Sometimes it feels like a broken bone. Doctors assign a grade 1, 2, or 3 to sprains, depending on their severity. Grade 1 sprains cause mild pain and occur when the ankle ligament is stretched and may have microscopic tears. Grade 2 sprains cause moderate pain and involve partial tears to the ligament. Grade 3 sprains are severe and happen when the ligament sustains complete tears. If you have ankle pain and think you may have sprained your ankle, it is best to see a podiatrist who can make an accurate diagnosis and provide the best treatment options.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Nicole C. Rodriguez, DPM from Personal Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Falling is common among people who are 65 years and older, and research has shown that frequently exercising may reduce this risk. This may be a result of increased strength in the muscles, bones and tendons, in addition to achieving improved balance. It is suggested that exercise is started slowly with practicing a few exercises per day until the body gets accustomed to it. This can be followed by increasing the number of repetitions and intensity. It is helpful to wear appropriate shoes that have adequate cushioning while exercising, in addition to using support if needed. Many people enjoy practicing yoga or pilates, and this can be added to partaking in a walking program. Falling can impact the feet, and research has shown that having a strong body may greatly reduce the risk of falling. If you would like additional information about fall prevention methods, please confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with the information you are seeking. 

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 Nicole C. Rodriguez, DPM from Personal Podiatry Associates. Our doctor 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 our offices located in Tamarac and Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Research has indicated that minimalist footwear is beneficial to wear while walking. This may help to improve balance and physical movement, despite the fact that many people may feel more comfortable running in cushioned shoes. The feet may maintain optimum foot health when strengthening exercises are frequently performed. These can include toe yoga, which can be done by stretching the toes in various ways. An effective stretch is done by bunching the toes together, and then stretching them as wide as possible, while having the big toe touch the ground. An additional stretch that can benefit the plantar fascia can be done while kneeling and sitting on the heels with the toes flexed against the floor or mat. There are several foot exercises and stretches that can be practiced which can help overall foot health. If you would like more information about specific stretches, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Nicole C. Rodriguez, DPM from Personal Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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