Monthly Archives: February 2013

Walking straight and growing strong

Posted on by

Nobody knows your child better than you. When they have a problem you can work to help them in any way you can but some issues aren’t always so evident. When a child is having issues with their feet the symptoms aren’t always obvious to them but there are ways a parent can pick up on issues with little feet before they begin to manifest problems later in life.

One popular issue many children have with their feet is walking with their toes turned in towards each other. Being in-toed can result in tripping over feet and not being able to walk in a straight line. Similar symptoms are a result having feet that point away from each other. Being out-toed can also result in symptoms that aren’t sensed directly in the feet. If your child is constantly complaining about pain in their calf muscles, this could be a result of being out-toed. If there is a lot of extra wear on the inside of their shoes, this can also be a result of being out-toed.

Another very common disorder that children experience is a bounce in their walk that can be a result of the shape of their feet. When the heels lift earlier than they should it can result in pain in the legs because muscles attached across the back of the ankles are put under more stress than they should be.

These are three very common problems seen by the professionals at Ontario Foot and Orthotics, in both their Milton and Cambridge offices. The good news is that they are able to treat and correct these disorders, especially in children. The structure of a child’s foot is still very flexible until they reach their teenage years so correcting in-toes, out-toes and a bouncing walk is much easier if it is spotted early.

Call Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

What is Plantar Fasciitis and how can it be treated?

Posted on by

Plantar Fasciitis is a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia.  The plantar fascia is a thick, non-elastic band of fibrous tissue that runs from the balls of your feet (metatarsal heads) and attaches to your heel.  It is an overuse injury that is usually characterized by acute heel pain first thing in the morning or after rest.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when stress is applied to the plantar fascia causing it to pull away from the insertion point (the heel).  This can cause small tears to the fascia resulting in inflammation and pain.  There are a variety of factors that can cause stress to the fascia such as flat arches (overpronation), tight calf muscles, poor footwear, overuse, and sudden increase in weight.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include a sharp pain in the heel that can travel towards the arch of the foot.  Pain persists with every step of the foot.   As the fascia is pulled away from the heel bone, the body reacts by filling in the space with new bone, which can lead to a heel spur.  A heel spur can be detected via x-ray and can be treated in the same way as plantar fasciitis.

Treatment options:

Many of the treatment options for plantar fasciitis consist of conservative therapy.  Short-term treatment includes stretching and icing of the fascia, proper footwear, padding and strapping, and oral ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory.  If none of these treatment options are working, physical therapy can be implemented.  Finally for a long-term treatment and preventative solution, orthotics can be prescribed.  Orthotics will help to re-create the arch and reduce stress on the fascia.  Surgical options are available, however not very common.

For more information or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

How can diabetes affect the feet?

Posted on by

With diabetes, the whole body is affected, including the feet. As diabetes affects blood circulation and increases nerve sensitivity, feet are particularly prone to problems. It is very important for diabetics to clean their feet daily, to do a daily foot check and to have them checked regularly by a chiropodist, even though there may not be any problems obvious to you. For example, some signs to watch out for and to act upon are itchiness, redness, bruising, burning, blisters, coolness, roughened areas, lack of sensitivity to temperature and of course any pain in the feet.

There are many complications that can arise due to diabetes.  One of the complications that can lead to foot problems for people with diabetes is peripheral or diabetic neuropathy.  This type of neuropathy causes nerve damage in the feet causing you to lose feeling in your feet or may cause a burning or tingling sensation.  When this occurs, you start to lose sensation and you are not able to feel things like a pebble in your shoes or socks, a blister caused by poor fitting shoes, changes in temperature, etc.   These injuries can lead to ulcers that can eventually lead to amputation.

All people with diabetes are at risk for foot problems.  Certain warning signs can put one at a higher risk for developing ulcers (foot sores).  These signs include calluses or corns, numbness or tingling in the feet, loss of feeling in your feet, poor circulation in your legs or feet, foot deformity such as bunions and hammer toes, etc. It is also important to check your blood sugars daily and have your hemoglobin A1c monitored by your physician.  Normal blood sugar values should be between 4-6 mmol/L and hemoglobin A1c should be kept under 7.

If you are diabetic, visit Ontario Foot and Orthoitcs for a full diabetic screen and for any questions you may having regarding diabetes and your feet.  To arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at one of our two locations: 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Custom orthotics for all feet

Posted on by

Winter is in full swing and like many people you may only now be realizing that your seasonal footgear is not as comfortable as you remember it. The multitude of boots and shoes you are switching into depending on the weather are designed for fashion and function before comfort but there are custom orthotic solutions in Cambridge and Milton to make all your footwear fit like a dream.

Most stores that sell footgear also sell inserts for their shoes but custom orthotics are a step ahead of those products. While one-size-fits-all inserts might give a little extra cushion to your step, a custom solution created at Ontario Foot and Orthotics will be designed and manufactured to fit your feet perfectly. They can correct underlying problems with your feet that might be causing you pain or putting stress on your body.

Call and set up an appointment for an in-depth analysis. Staff will meet with you to administer a biomechanical assessment of your feet and walking style as well as create a plaster cast of your foot. Once the cause of your discomfort has been discovered, customized orthotics can be created that will not only fit your feet comfortably, but actually work towards correcting the misalignments that are causing stress and pain in your feet and body.

No matter what your job, age or level of activity, customized orthotics can help you get through the cold weather safely and with comfort. Treat yourself and treat your feet to an appointment with Ontario Foot and Orthotics. Call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.