September 2022

It is beneficial to pay attention to your baby's feet as they grow into childhood. It can pave the way to having healthy feet as an adult and this may be helpful in preventing unpleasant foot conditions from developing. One of the first steps in taking care of babies' feet consists of washing and drying them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Additionally, it is helpful to trim the toenails once per week and sometimes more frequently if the nails are growing quickly. Cutting the toenails in a straight line is the proper way to trim children’s toenails, and the corners should be avoided which may prevent an ingrown toenail from developing. Many babies do not wear shoes until they walk outside, and this can help the foot become stronger as the toes grip the floor. A foul odor may be indicative of a fungal infection, and it is suggested that a podiatrist be contacted. A podiatrist can treat this accordingly and offer general tips on how to care for your child’s feet.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact John McGhan, DPM of Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor 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 office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Excessive fluid in the feet can cause extreme swelling. This is an uncomfortable feeling, and is known as edema. Some of the symptoms that can accompany swollen feet include bruising, numbness, and the feet may feel stiff. When the feet become swollen, it may be indicative of existing medical conditions, which include arthritis. Additionally, it may happen as a result of an ankle sprain or fracture, and this typically happens immediately. The feet may become swollen from an insect bite, and this is considered to be an allergic reaction. Some people notice their feet can become swollen from standing for extended periods of time throughout the day, and can be very common among pregnant women. The warmer temperatures may cause the feet to become swollen, and it is suggested that sodium intake is reduced. If your feet are swollen, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment options. 

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact John McGhan, DPM of Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks tissues throughout the body, including the feet. It can attack muscles, blood vessels, tendons, and skin around the joints of the feet, and may cause joint deformity. This can be referred to as deforming arthropathy, and the most common form is known as Jaccoud’s type arthropathy. Bearing body weight on the feet with deformed joints can be a major source of pain. Lupus can cause the feet to swell, become numb, and ache due to arthritis. This can make it difficult for a person to move and sleep, which can cause other lupus symptoms to worsen. Feet can also turn blue from sensitivity to cold, which signals a vascular disorder known as Raynaud’s phenomenon. This is when the autoimmune system attacks small blood vessels, causing them to constrict when exposed to cold. Swelling and numbness can result, and pressure on the nerves of the feet can also cause pain. Sores and blisters that develop on the feet of those patients who have lupus can be slow to heal. This may be a result of the immune system suppressing drugs that keep the disease controlled. If the skin opens from these sores, it may be prone to infection. If you have lupus and are experiencing these symptoms in your feet, please see a podiatrist who can help with treatment options that might help restore pain, and free movement and functioning.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact John McGhan, DPM from Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

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

Research has indicated that it is beneficial for people who run to make less than eight changes in their running routine at a time, as this may help to reduce or prevent running injuries. It is important to refrain from increasing speed and mileage too quickly, in addition to wearing correct running shoes. Runners tend to experience more aches and pains in comparison to people who enjoy cycling and swimming. Covid-19 restrictions may have led people to change their running habits from the gym to the road, and the difference in a smooth treadmill versus an uneven street can cause injuries and foot pain. Many experienced runners know the benefits of properly warming up before running, and this can prepare the body for the toll running takes on the feet. It is important to focus on one change to the routine at a time because this can give the body ample time to adjust. If you would like more information about how running can affect the feet, and how to prevent injuries, please confer with a podiatrist who can address any concerns you may have. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact John McGhan, DPM of Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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