Finding the right shoes for your child starts with understanding how quickly the feet change as bones, muscles, and ligaments grow. Toddlers often begin walking with flat arches or feet that turn inward, but this usually improves as strength develops. Children’s shoes should protect their feet while allowing natural movement. Experts suggest buying shoes that bend near the toes, offer room for growth, and have a shape that matches the natural width of the forefoot. A secure heel helps guide the ankle, while laces or straps prevent slipping. Shoes that lack adequate support can lead to rubbing, ingrown toenails, or discomfort that affects walking. A podiatrist can assess foot alignment, recommend proper shoe structure, and discuss whether added support is needed to prevent long-term issues or reduce the chance of needing surgery. If your child is having foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance in choosing the proper footwear.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of New York, NY. Our doctors 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 office located in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are several screening measures that a podiatrist might use to assess the blood flow in your lower limbs. One such measure is the Ankle-Brachial Index, also known as the ABI test, Segmental Pressure Test, Toe Pressure Test, or Toe-Brachial Index (TBI). To perform this test, the podiatrist will place an inflatable cuff around your arm and calf, foot, or toes and measure your blood pressure in these areas. The doctor will then compare the numbers to each other to determine whether you are at an increased risk of having poor circulation and developing conditions such as peripheral artery disease. This test is fast, simple, noninvasive, and generally painless. To learn more about screening measures that assess the vascular health of your lower limbs, speak with a podiatrist today.

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from New York, NY. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

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

Idiopathic congenital clubfoot is a structural deformity present at birth in which a baby’s foot is twisted inward and downward due to abnormal development of bones, tendons, and muscles. The exact cause is not fully understood, although genetics and fetal positioning may play a role. The Ponseti method is the most effective treatment and involves gentle manipulation and casting to gradually correct the foot position, followed by bracing to maintain alignment. A podiatrist experienced in pediatric care can guide families through each stage of correction, monitor progress, and provide long-term support to ensure proper foot function. If your child has been diagnosed with clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist for expert evaluation and early corrective care.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of New York, NY. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Choosing the right footwear is essential for construction workers who spend long hours on demanding surfaces. Safety toe shoes offer strong protection from falling objects, while metatarsal guard shoes add an extra layer that shields the top of the foot from heavy impact. Waterproof shoes help keep feet dry in wet environments and slip resistant shoes provide better traction on slick or uneven ground. Additionally, high cut shoes support the ankles and reduce the risk of sprains on unstable job sites. A podiatrist can guide workers in selecting footwear that fits properly, prevents pain, and supports long term foot health. If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for expert advice and personalized care.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from New York, NY. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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