Items filtered by date: January 2025

Wearing shoes that do not fit correctly can lead to a variety of foot problems. Ill-fitting shoes can cause blisters, corns, calluses, bunions, and even more severe conditions like plantar fasciitis or nerve damage. Shoes that are too tight can compress the toes, while shoes that are too loose may cause the feet to slide around, leading to friction and discomfort. To avoid these issues, it is essential to measure your feet accurately to find the right shoe size. One of the best ways to do this is by using a Brannock device, a tool designed to measure both the length and width of the foot. By placing your foot on the device, you can obtain an accurate reading of your foot size, ensuring a more comfortable and supportive fit. Properly fitting shoes can improve overall foot health and help prevent long-term damage or pain. If you have foot pain from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can offer relief tips, and provide additional guidance on choosing shoes that fit properly.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Lawrence Fallat, DPM from Michigan. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Diabetic foot issues are a frequent complication of diabetes, often caused by poor circulation and nerve damage. These problems typically result from persistently high blood sugar levels. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of sensation in the feet, as well as slow-healing cuts or sores. Without proper care, these issues can lead to serious infections or even amputations. The primary causes of diabetic foot problems include nerve damage, which makes it harder to feel injuries, and reduced blood flow, which impairs healing. Poor foot hygiene, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and untreated infections can also contribute. Treatment varies but often involves managing blood sugar levels, cleaning and dressing wounds, and wearing properly fitted shoes. A podiatrist may recommend custom orthotics, wound care, or even surgical interventions in severe cases to prevent further complications. If you are have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Lawrence Fallat, DPM from Michigan. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a deformity at the base of the big toe, affecting the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint. It occurs when the first metatarsal bone angles outward, while the top of the big toe tilts inward. This results in a protrusion that can become inflamed and painful. Shoes with a narrow toe box or high heels often worsen the discomfort by putting pressure on the misaligned joint. Bunions can develop due to inherited foot structures, such as flat feet or low arches. They are more common among women, especially those in occupations requiring prolonged standing or who frequently wear high heels. Left untreated, a bunion may lead to additional foot issues, including calluses, hammertoes, or pain in the ball of the foot. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity of your bunion and suggest custom orthotics to improve alignment, padding to reduce friction, or, in severe cases, surgery to restore function. If you experience toe pain caused by a bunion, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Lawrence Fallat, DPM of Michigan. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

A high ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula, the two bones in the lower leg, just above the ankle. Unlike a typical ankle sprain, which affects the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint, a high ankle sprain involves syndesmosis, the connective tissue between the two bones. This injury often occurs during activities that involve twisting or turning motions, such as running, football, or basketball, where the foot is planted, and the leg twists forcefully. Symptoms of a high ankle sprain include pain above the ankle, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected leg. The pain may worsen with movement or when the foot is rotated. If you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can offer the best treatment for the type of ankle sprain it is.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Lawrence Fallat, DPM from Michigan. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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