AF&A Blog

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!

In the last Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists blog, we talked about some concerns to be aware of with the idea of barefoot running. Hopefully, we have convinced you to wear proper footwear while exercising. With this in mind, let us talk about the type of footwear you should be using. A good running shoe or tennis shoe should have a good rubber sole, for traction, with extra stability in the center to support the middle, or arch, of your foot. If the activity you are involved in requires a lot of quick turns and twists, as in basketball, then I higher back portion will offer some ankle stability. Even when dressing for business or a formal function, it is important to look for shoes that are both comfortable and provide traction. Not only can slipping and falling be embarrassing, but the possibility of injury is great.

So, you are probably wondering what all that has to do with ‘magic shoes’? Well, that particular phrase may not be in the advertisement, but the claims of a particular ‘new’ type of footwear come awfully close. These ‘new’ shoes appear to be a marketing spin on a type of shoe modification occasionally implemented by podiatrists. This type of modification, a ‘rocker bottom’ orthosis, can be added to an individual’s footwear when motion of particular joints are painful or could further damage. A healthy individual with no foot problems wearing them may actually create problems of joint or muscle limitations. We as consumers are always being enticed with the latest, greatest and need to be armed with good information. There are a plethora of products out there to help you get in shape or ‘shed the pounds’ but very few can compete with a good pair of shoes and a regular walk or run!

No, no, we are not talking about some crazy college ritual, but rather the bare foot running movement that seems to be popping up in the media now a days. Obviously, man walked around barefoot long before shoes were even an idea and this ‘theory’ of running without shoes is not a new one. The theory behind this movement, in short, is that shoes weaken the muscles that support your foot and ankle allowing runners to increase their performance by running without shoes. Scientific studies to support these claims are quite limited and often originate in other countries. Because of these short falls, yet the continued interest, we at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists want to point out a few things that you should be conscious of if this is something you are considering.

The protection value of foot ware should be the first thing to think of. While you may think the area or machine that you are running on is free of foreign objects that could damage your feet, how many have us a swept up all of a broken glass only to find a small shard weeks later? Secondly, many factors, such as hydration, can affect the amount of padding on the bottom of your feet and in high impact activities, like running, it may prove to be inadequate. A good pair of running shoes provides proper protection and padding to allow for safe running. Good shoes are designed to complement your foot and ankle while you are running. As was mentioned in previous blogs, the ankle is an area of great force benefiting from proper support.

While you always hear that you should ‘consult your doctor before beginning or changing any exercise program’, embarking on this type of running program should definitely involve a consultation with your podiatrist. Until next time stay healthy Austin!