December 2022

If you see a rough patch of skin on your toes or on the bottom of your feet, it may be a corn. Many corns develop on the pinky toe as a result of excessive friction that comes from wearing shoes that are too tight. A corn that forms on this toe can cause severe pain, despite its small size. Corns are defined as dead skin, surrounded by redness and inflammation. Two common categories of corns are referred to as hard and soft. The latter is found between the toes, as a result of the consistent moisture that collects from sweat. Hard corns can be found on the bottom of the feet, or on top of the toes. Mild relief may be found when a protective patch is worn over the corn, and this may help to prevent further pressure from friction. An effective preventive method consists of wearing shoes that fit correctly. If you have corns on your feet, please consult with a podiatrist who may recommend minor surgery for permanent removal.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks of Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

One of the major ways to prevent falls among seniors is having proper footwear. Experts suggest that older adults are less likely to lose their balance if they wear shoes that give them proper support. Other guidelines include choosing a size that leaves about one-quarter of an inch between the toes and the tip of the shoe. A deeper and wider toe box should allow the toes to move within the shoe. Shoes that close but allow for changes in foot size are recommended. Either Velcro straps or shoes with laces will fit the bill. Make sure the heel cup of the shoe fits properly to give support and prevent slips. And it is thought that a rounded heel provides more contact with the ground and is safer. In addition, a lower heel height provides more stability. Finally, the sole should offer a good grip but not stick to the carpet. Sandals should have a back strap and adjustable closures. For further guidance on proper footwear for seniors, please consult a podiatrist.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

Research has shown that approximately a third of the United States population is considered to be obese. This can have an enormous impact on the feet and may cause many foot problems to develop. Heel pain is a common ailment among people who are overweight, which is a result of the additional weight the heels must endure. Also, the heel may flatten from the same reason, which can change the entire foot structure. Losing weight may help to resolve some of these foot conditions, which may be challenging because of the lack of exercise that can be performed. Patients who are determined to lose weight may find additional ways to become active without exercising. These include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, pacing while on the phone, and walking by starting off with short distances. Many people choose to wear insoles in their shoes, and this may provide additional cushioning while standing. If you have foot conditions that have developed as a result of being overweight, please confer with a podiatrist who can effectively treat foot ailments.

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 Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. 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 office located in Oceanside, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Wearing high heels can be significantly damaging to the feet for many different well-established reasons. For example, wearing high heeled shoes can put an excess amount of pressure on the toes. If a woman wears high heels while she is pregnant, there is a whole other host of problems that can occur. When a woman becomes pregnant, she experiences a variety of changes to the feet that can alter the balance of her weight. Additionally, if a woman wears high heels while she is pregnant, it can further exacerbate any swelling in the feet that might already be occurring because of the pregnancy. Wearing shoes with heels that are high can also reduce a pregnant woman’s stability, which might lead to falls that would be potentially very dangerous for both the woman and her growing baby. For more information about high heels during pregnancy, contact a podiatrist today.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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