As people age, they can become increasingly susceptible to suffering from some kind of fall. As a result, a senior might experience diminished foot health. Therefore, it is important to do whatever you can to prevent these falls or trips from occurring in the first place. One of the places where a senior might fall down is in their bedroom. There are several steps that can be taken to minimize falls in a senior’s bedroom. For example, many falls are due simply to a lack of light in the relevant area. So a senior might consider buying a bedside lamp to illuminate the bedroom floor. Additionally, a senior might consider ensuring that the bed is at an appropriate height. Beds that are too high might result in falls while getting out. Lastly, since some seniors are light-headed when they first wake up, a senior might consider trying to minimize falls by taking their time to rise. It is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for more information on preventing falls. 

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 Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM from Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner 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 office located in Lafayette, CO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

People who carry additional weight on their body frame may find they have foot pain. The feet carry the weight of the body and painful foot conditions may develop from the excess pounds. Heel pain can be common in people who are overweight and may be indicative of plantar fasciitis, which is an inflamed plantar fascia. This is the band of tissue that is found on the bottom of the feet and connects the heels to the toes. The extra weight can put pressure on this portion of tissue, often resulting in chronic heel pain. Maintaining a consistent exercise program is often necessary to lose weight and having heel pain can make it difficult to pursue. The overall body can benefit from losing additional weight. This can be accomplished by incorporating healthy foods into daily eating habits and starting out with performing gentle stretches. If you are overweight and have any type of foot or heel pain, it is strongly advised that you speak with a podiatrist who can help you with treatment options and offer suggestions for successful weight loss.

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 Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM from Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner 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 office located in Lafayette, CO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

It is not surprising that with the extra stress running can put on the feet, runners may be more prone to foot injuries. Runners with flat feet, high arches, and those who overpronate are at higher risk for foot injuries than others. Afflictions that are common among runners include plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and Morton’s neuroma. Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia, a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, from heel to toes, becomes inflamed or tears. It can cause a stabbing pain in the heel which may worsen when climbing stairs, after prolonged standing, and after getting out of bed in the morning. Metatarsalgia develops when excess pressure is put on the metatarsal bones, which are the long bones of the foot leading to the toes. With this condition, one might feel there are pebbles in the shoe or bruising on the balls of the feet. Pain is felt between the second and third toes, third and fourth toes, or near the big toe. A Morton’s neuroma can also feel like one is walking on a pebble, and there is discomfort near the ball of the foot. This is when a fibrous tissue grows around a nerve in the foot causing burning and tingling sensations, numbness, or pain in the foot. If you are a runner and have foot pain, see a podiatrist to determine its cause and start treatment that might be helpful to you.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM of Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Lafayette, CO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Research has shown there may be benefits while exercising barefoot. This may be as a result of stimulating the pressure points in the feet, possibly providing a better workout. Conversely, when shoes are worn while exercising, the feet are often ignored, which may limit strength to the bones and muscles. Exercising while barefoot may help to improve balance, which can make it easier to complete everyday activities. Additionally, overall movement may be increased while the toes are not restricted by the top of the shoe. An effective exercise to do while barefoot is known as raising and hovering the heels. It is a stability exercise, and can help to strengthen the Achilles tendon. The muscles can become stronger when lunges are done, and the toes may become more flexible as the entire foot grips the floor. If you would like to learn about additional benefits of exercising while barefoot, please ask a podiatrist who can address any questions you may have.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM from Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our practitioner to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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