Off-loading is essential for promoting healing in a wounded foot, as it reduces pressure on the affected area and prevents further damage. By redistributing weight away from the wound, off-loading minimizes pain, enhances blood flow, and accelerates tissue repair. Common methods include wearing specialized footwear, such as surgical shoes, total contact casts, or orthotic inserts, which cushion and protect the foot while allowing limited mobility. For severe wounds, crutches, knee scooters, or wheelchairs may be recommended to completely off-load weight. Regularly elevating the foot also helps reduce swelling and improve circulation. It is vital to keep weight off the wound to avoid reopening or worsening the injury. Proper off-loading techniques depend on the type, location, and severity of the wound. To ensure effective care and recovery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a personalized treatment plan.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please 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.

Running can lead to a variety of foot injuries, with some of the most common being plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, toenail damage, and peroneal tendonitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue on the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed, often causing heel pain, especially in the morning. Metatarsalgia refers to pain in the ball of the foot, typically from excessive pressure or improper footwear. Toenail damage, such as bruising or loss, can result from tight shoes or repeated trauma during long runs. Peroneal tendonitis affects the tendons along the outside of the ankle and foot, leading to pain and swelling. To relieve these injuries, runners can benefit from rest, proper footwear, and targeted stretching exercises, in addition to gradually increasing mileage to allow the body time to heal. If you have sustained foot or ankle injuries from running, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can offer effective relief tips, and guide on additional injury prevention methods. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors 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 Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Walking barefoot is a natural activity that can have numerous benefits for children. When kids walk without shoes, they allow their feet to develop and strengthen naturally. The muscles and ligaments in the feet work more effectively when they are not restricted by footwear, promoting better balance and coordination. Barefoot walking also helps improve posture as it encourages children to align their bodies properly. Furthermore, walking barefoot allows children to connect with their environment, providing sensory feedback that can stimulate cognitive and emotional development. It also promotes the proper formation of the arches in the feet, reducing the risk of developing issues such as flat feet. In addition, barefoot walking can help increase circulation and improve the flexibility of the feet. While it is important to be mindful of potential hazards, allowing kids to walk barefoot at home or in safe outdoor spaces can contribute positively to their physical and overall development. If your child has foot pain for any reason, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and address any concern you may have about barefoot walking.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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.

Bathrooms are one of the most common places where seniors experience falls due to slippery surfaces, limited space, and poor balance. Key risk areas include the shower or bathtub, where wet floors and awkward stepping increase fall likelihood. Toilet areas can also pose risks, especially when sitting down or standing up without support. To reduce these hazards, install grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub. Non-slip mats inside and outside the tub can provide added stability. Adequate lighting and removing loose rugs can enhance safety. Seniors should wear non-slip footwear when using the bathroom. If you incur a fall, especially one resulting in foot or ankle pain, swelling, or difficulty walking it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

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 one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors 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 Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.