AF&A Blog

With the warm weather out there and the convenience of ‘slipping them on’, you may find yourself wearing flip flops or sandals frequently. It may be time to reconsider the ‘ease’ of putting them on if you find yourself in discomfort. Very few sandals available offer the support that other foot wear can. As we have mentioned before, without the proper support and padding, you feet are more prone to damage. Pain in your heel can be happen for multiple reasons but two big ones, plantar fasciitis and calcaneal stress fracture, can be due to lack of support and lack of padding.

The best thing you can do is to avoid either of these maladies from affecting you. Try to wear your flip flops or sandals sparingly; or if you must wear them, invest in ones that offer more support and padding to your feet than the flat soled, inexpensive types that you can find almost anywhere. Since it is well into the summer months, you may already find yourself with nagging discomfort or pain in your feet. If so, don’t delay and schedule a visit to AFAS. Remember that pain is never normal and you shouldn’t just accept it. You and Dr. Thomajan can discuss the problems that you are having and find the best solution for you. Inspecting your footwear and visiting a foot specialist can keep you on your feet without pain. Until next time, stay happy and healthy Austin.

With summer vacation just a few weeks away, we at AFAS wanted to give you a few thoughts to keep in mind when outfitting your little ones’ feet.

First off, kids grow fast, so making sure that they have the right sized footwear is most important. Many times, in adults as well as children, putting on the right sized shoe can solve a lot of problems. Checking that there is extra room in front of the shoe will stop the toes from becoming compressed while walking and it is an easy way to make sure they haven’t out grown that pair. Just be sure the shoe fits….before you wear it.

Secondly, the type of shoe is important. We know it gets hot out there and it is easy enough to slip on a pair of flip flops before heading outside. Depending on the day’s activity, this could be a bad choice, especially for your little ones. Children rarely sit still for long and tennis shoes or sandals that Velcro on would be a better choice than the thin soles and loose fit of flip flops. Additionally, a full day on their feet definitely calls the proper support, offered by tennis shoes, to avoid fatigue and possibility of injury.

It is important to remember that children are not ‘little adults’, especially when it comes to growth and development. Many of the ‘bones’ in your child’s feet will not become hardened, or fully ossified, until many years after they have been walking. In those critical years of growth and development, it is important that your child have the right kind of shoes. Keep in mind that pain in your child’s feet is never normal and should be addressed by a Podiatric physician. If there is ever concern over your child’s feet, foot wear, or the way they walk, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at AFAS. Until next time, keep those kids happy and healthy Austin!

With the beautiful weather out there, we here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialist want to make sure you are taking full advantage. The warm weather is a great time to break out your sandals, flip flops or open toed shoes. Don’t let any unsightly corns, warts or cracks stop you from showing off your feet! There are a number of ‘over the counter’ products you can use to get rid of warts or moisturize your feet, but often these treatments are slow and time consuming. As a healthcare provider, Dr. Thomajan has a number of different treatments at his disposal that can often resolve these issues at a much faster rate.

Fungal toe nails are another problem that may be keeping you out of your summer shoes. The thickened, discolored nail is caused by a fungal infection to the area. While initially not painful, this condition can become more problematic with time. Fungal nails can often be associated with athlete’s foot and this infection can easily spread to other toe nails. After an initial assessment to eliminate any more serious problems, Dr. Thomajan will discuss a number of treatment options with you. There are a number of prescriptions that are quite effective especially when used in combination with other podiatric care such as laser treatment or debridement.

Don’t be embarrassed by the maladies that may be affecting your feet. After a proper evaluation by Dr. Thomajan and an appropriate treatment, you can get full use out of your summer footwear. Make an appointment today and until next time stay healthy Austin!