June 2023

Research has indicated that the number of people who are obese has doubled across the globe in the last forty years, and being overweight often affects foot health. This can be a result of the added weight the feet must support, and daily activities may be difficult to complete. Higher body mass index may lead to developing certain foot conditions that can include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and Achilles tendon injuries. Overweight people can walk slower and have shorter stride lengths. Stress may be increased on the soft tissues and joints, which may lead to developing overuse injuries. Additionally, the ankles may lose strength from carrying the extra weight. Flat feet may develop for the same reason, and this can be another reason to lose excess weight. As this is being accomplished, it may be easier to build strength in the intrinsic muscles that can help to stabilize the arches. If you are overweight and have foot problems, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition. 

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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

A common foot condition that can develop from frequently wearing high heels is ingrown toenails. Despite the pain and discomfort this ailment can cause, many women continue to wear this type of shoe and choose to suffer through the pain. When these types of shoes are worn, pressure can be exerted on the toes, possibly preventing the toenails from growing properly. Additionally, this may cause the nail to puncture the skin, and an infection may ensue. Ingrown toenails may be managed when high heels must be worn by refraining from wearing tight hosiery and soaking the feet in lukewarm water. Patients who have diabetes may need to pay extra attention if they have developed an ingrown toenail. It is beneficial to temporarily stop wearing the high heels that caused the toenail to become ingrown, and an infected ingrown toenail may require minor surgery for relief. If you wear high heels and have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

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 Associates in Podiatry. 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 offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A common foot condition that can develop from frequently wearing high heels is ingrown toenails. Despite the pain and discomfort this ailment can cause, many women continue to wear this type of shoe and choose to suffer through the pain. When these types of shoes are worn, pressure can be exerted on the toes, possibly preventing the toenails from growing properly. Additionally, this may cause the nail to puncture the skin, and an infection may ensue. Ingrown toenails may be managed when high heels must be worn by refraining from wearing tight hosiery and soaking the feet in lukewarm water. Patients who have diabetes may need to pay extra attention if they have developed an ingrown toenail. It is beneficial to temporarily stop wearing the high heels that caused the toenail to become ingrown, and an infected ingrown toenail may require minor surgery for relief. If you wear high heels and have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

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 Associates in Podiatry. 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 offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, Pittsburgh-Bellevue, and Pittsburgh-Downtown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

People who are afflicted with toenail fungus are often embarrassed by how their feet look. This is an unsightly foot condition that is contagious. Common symptoms that many patients experience can consist of thickened and yellowed toenails that may have separated from the nail bed. The nail may change shape or look distorted and can become brittle. People who have a weakened immune system may be prone to developing toenail fungus, in addition to patients who are diabetic or who have poor circulation. The fungus that causes this ailment lives in warm environments like shower room floors, public swimming pools, and surrounding areas. If you frequent these types of places, it is beneficial to wear appropriate shoes such as flip-flops or water shoes. It is also helpful to refrain from sharing shoes, socks, and towels, and putting powder in the shoes can be a good prevention technique against toenail fungus. If you have developed toenail fungus, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this foot condition. 

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Associates in Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

Learning about the biomechanics of the feet can be useful for anyone concerned with maintaining the health of their feet. For instance, the ball of the foot is a critical part of the foot that serves many important functions. The ball of the foot is located near the front of the foot just underneath the toes. This area of the foot can be susceptible to pain for many different reasons. Specifically, pain in the ball of the feet may be caused by stress fractures, being overweight, or from wearing high heels. If nothing is done to address pain that is felt in the ball of the feet, it is possible that this might ultimately alter one’s natural gait. Upon seeking medical attention, you might be instructed by a podiatrist to do any number of different things to treat the pain. Your podiatrist might recommend that you rest or wear better-fitting shoes for instance. If you are someone that is experiencing pain in the ball of your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.