Items filtered by date: January 2023

Children’s feet grow at different paces, and growth spurts can depend on the age of the child. This is a good reason to measure your child’s feet approximately every two months until they are six years old. When children are born up until the age of two, their feet are generally soft and flexible. During this stage of life, it is beneficial that children have access to different types of surfaces. Their ability to sense different textures is heightened, and foot muscles can begin to develop. Many parents choose to have their children walk barefoot while indoors, and this can help to strengthen the overall foot. When it is time to purchase their first pair of shoes, arch support is not recommended. Shoes that do not have an arch may allow the big toe to naturally extend. Additionally, the remaining toes can help to control the foot as walking is done, and may be harder to do with an arch in the shoe. If you would like to have more knowledge about what kind of shoes to purchase for your child, a podiatrist can give you the information you are seeking. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. 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 offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail is one of the most painful foot conditions to have. It happens when the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This can happen for various reasons including wearing shoes and socks that are too tight, cutting the toenail incorrectly, and possibly from a toe injury. Some patients develop an ingrown toenail because of the shape of the nail or from poor foot hygiene. Diabetic people may be prone to ingrown toenails because of reduced blood flow to the feet. Additionally, experiencing toenail fungus frequently may lead to an ingrown toenail, and this can cause the nail to become brittle and put pressure on the surrounding skin. Many people are unaware that having poor posture may put extra weight on the toes too, therefore increasing the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. If you have existing or recurring ingrown toenails, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer you relief and treatment techniques.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Pronation is simply how your foot hits the ground when you walk or run. When someone overpronates, it means that the foot rolls inward when taking a step. The outer edge of the heel generally hits the ground first, and then the foot rolls in toward the arch. This motion may put extra pressure on the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Overpronation can lead to a number of injuries, including ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis. One way to determine whether or not you overpronate is to check out the bottom of your shoes. If the shoe is worn on the inside of the sole nearest the big toe, it may indicate overpronation. Next, stand in bare feet and look into a mirror to see if your feet are flat or have low arches. This is another indicator of overpronation. Symptoms of overpronation include heel or arch pain, flat feet, hammertoes, or pain in the knees, hips, or back. To be certain, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist who can conduct a more formal examination and determine if orthotics can help to correct the condition.  

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Bradley Olson, DPM from North Dakota. Our doctor 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 Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Obese individuals can be more susceptible to developing any number of foot conditions. This is because having an unhealthy level of extra body weight can wreak havoc on the feet and lower legs in different ways. One often overlooked consequence that obesity can have on the feet is swelling, or edema, in the feet. When a person carries an excessive amount of body weight around, they are essentially putting more pressure on the joints, especially those in the feet. Obese individuals can put an extreme amount of pressure on the ankle joints in particular. As a result, there can be a significant amount of fluid retention in the affected areas, as well as the storage of hormones in fat cells. Consequently, the body can experience a pesky kind of swelling in the ankles, feet, and lower legs. If you are someone that struggles with obesity, contact a podiatrist today to learn what you can do to combat any foot swelling that you are currently experiencing.  

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Bradley Olson, DPM from North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The ankle is one of the most important parts of the lower legs, forming the intersection point with the feet. The ankle enables the foot to move in different directions and serves important mobility functions for walking, running, and jumping. Sometimes, the ankle may cause pain when an individual is walking. There are several different possible explanations for this phenomenon. Namely, there are many different foot conditions and afflictions that might be contributing to or causing your ankle pain. Gout is the first potential culprit. Gout is essentially a kind of arthritis that accumulates in the joints and causes pain. This can be particularly pesky in the ankles. Additionally, ankle pain might result from peripheral neuropathy. This condition is associated with some kind of nerve damage, which can ultimately cause pain in the ankles when walking. Regardless of the cause of ankle pain when walking, the pain can be annoying and severe depending on the case and patient. Contact a podiatrist today if you are experiencing ankle pain. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Bradley Olson, DPM from North Dakota. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.