Depending on your occupation, you might have to spend a significant amount of time on your feet throughout the workday. For example, hairdressers, food servers/waiters, house cleaners, factory line workers, and others all must work on their feet for most of the day with little to no extended time spent sitting down. There are several risks that come with working on your feet all day. First, people who spend a significant amount of time on their feet all day may experience discomfort and swelling throughout their legs and feet. Certain people are at an increased risk of experiencing these symptoms. Namely, obese people, pregnant women, individuals who suffer from arthritis, and the elderly are all at an increased risk of developing these symptoms. Another risk associated with working all day on your feet is the development of certain foot complications. These individuals might develop conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and poor blood circulation, among other things. If you spend most of the workday on your feet, it might be time to see a podiatrist who can help you mitigate these risks. 

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Some people find it difficult to find the right shoe size, and this may be a result of varying sizes between brands. The easiest way to get an accurate shoe size is by using a Brannock Device. Most shoe stores have this measuring tool, and it simplifies the way you can get an exact shoe size. If this is not available, there is an easy way to size your feet at home. This is done by taping a sheet of paper to the floor and one to the wall, followed by standing on the paper with your heel against the wall. A person is needed to trace the outline of your foot, and then it is beneficial to measure the length and width with a ruler. When shoes are tried on, it helps to purchase them at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest. Additionally, it is beneficial to wear the socks that would normally be worn with the shoes. The shoes need to fit comfortably when first tried on, as damage may occur to the feet if the wrong shoes are worn. If you would like more information about how to purchase the right size shoes, please ask a podiatrist who can help you with the right information. 

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. 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 Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Stress fractures in the foot are usually the result of overuse or repetitive activities. They are common among runners, basketball and soccer players, and dancers. Women who are experiencing osteoporosis are also at risk. Foot stress fractures affect three main areas: the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals, the navicular bone at the top of the foot, and the calcaneus bone in the heel. Stress fractures may be difficult to detect because they are tiny hairline cracks in the bones and may easily be missed in an X-ray. Because they usually develop over time and are not immediately painful, stress fractures often go undetected or are mistaken for plain old sore feet. These fractures are caused by any activity that puts too much stress on the bones. Among the causes are increasing the frequency or length of an activity too quickly, changing from a soft to hard surface, using a faulty technique that may be the result of other conditions, and utilizing improper footwear. Even non-athletes experience stress fractures when walking too far or for too long while on vacation. If constant foot pain causes you to believe you may have developed stress fractures of the foot, please visit a podiatrist for a complete exam and diagnosis. 

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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