January 2023

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when a baby should be walking because they develop at different times. Many babies begin walking as early at 8 or 9 months, while others who are so-called late-bloomers may not begin until 16 months. Generally speaking, about half of babies have begun to take steps around 1 year old. The three factors that go into the process include muscle strength, balance, and temperament. The latter is the factor that most affects the age at which your baby will walk, experts say. Some babies continue to crawl because they can move faster than if they try to stand and walk. Early walkers can be more driven to try new motor skills, and lean babies often begin to walk earlier. Most babies simply decide for themselves when they are ready to walk, studies show. If you notice that your baby has certain foot gait abnormalities, such as pigeon-toed, walking on tiptoe, or duck walking, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for an examination and discussion on possible treatment.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Maffucci syndrome is a disorder that mostly affects bones and skin. It is characterized by multiple enchondromas, or noncancerous growths of cartilage, that develop within bones. These growths usually occur in the limb bones, especially on the hands and feet. Enchondromas can result in severe bone deformities, shortening limbs, and fractures. Maffucci syndrome may be detectable at birth but is usually not seen until around age 5. The enchondromas develop near the ends of bones, where normal growth occurs. They typically stop growing when an individual stops growing in early adulthood. Because of bone deformities with this syndrome, people with this condition usually have a short stature and underdeveloped muscles. Though the enchondromas start benign, they can cause bone cancer and an increase in other cancers. If you are pregnant and your child has Maffucci syndrome affecting their feet, consult with a podiatrist who can help you navigate this affliction.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Canonsburg and McMurray, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Many people enjoy wearing flip flops in the summer months. These types of shoes are constructed with a soft sole, and straps on top of the shoe are held together by a thin piece of material, which is worn between the first and second toe. This is necessary in keeping the shoe on the foot, and their simplicity and numerous colors can make flip flops desirable to wear. Conversely, studies have shown that the more flip flops are worn, the greater the possibility of having aching feet. This may be from flip flops having minimal support, and the gait or walking style may be altered from the lack of cushioning. This generally provides adequate shock absorption as walking is done throughout the day, and heel pain may occur when this is missing from the shoe. Additionally, the toes may hurt from gripping the top of the shoe to keep it on the foot, and the arch may begin to hurt. If you would like more information about how frequently wearing flip flops can affect your feet, please consult a podiatrist who can guide you toward wearing shoes that are solidly constructed.

Flip-flops can cause a lot of problems for your feet. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

Flip-flops have managed to become a summer essential for a lot of people. While the shoes may be stylish and easy to slip on and off, they can be dangerous to those who wear them too often. These shoes might protect you from fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, but they can also give you foot pain and sprained ankles if you trip while wearing them.

When Are They Okay to Wear?

Flip-flops should only be worn for very short periods of time. They can help protect your feet in places that are crawling with fungi, such as gym locker rooms. Athlete’s foot and plantar warts are two common fungi that flip-flops may help protect your feet against.

Why Are They Bad for My Feet?

These shoes do not offer any arch support, so they are not ideal for everyday use. They also do not provide shock absorption or heel cushioning which can be problematic for your feet. Additionally, you may suffer from glass cuts, puncture wounds, and stubbed toes since they offer little protection for your feet.

More Reasons Why They Are Bad for Your Feet

• They Slow You Down
• May Cause Blisters and Calluses
• Expose Your Feet to Bacteria

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

A corn is one of the ways the body protects damaged skin against excessive friction. It is a small, hardened area of skin that can form on various areas of the foot. These can include the pinky toe, the soles of the feet, or the top of the toes. A corn that develops on the side of the pinky toe can be painful, and wider shoes may need to be purchased that may help to bring partial relief. Hard corns are found in the above areas and often occurs as a result of wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Soft corns can be found between the toes, and are named for the consistent moisture that is found there. If the corn is small, a protective pad can be worn over it which may reduce the pressure from the shoe. Patients who have larger corns are often seen by a podiatrist who can use effective techniques for removal. Please confer with this type of doctor who can guide you toward effective prevention methods.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 Canonsburg and McMurray, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails can be a particularly nettlesome affliction of the foot and it is described as occurring when the side of the toenail grows into the side of the skin. At the point at which the nail grows into the skin, the individual can feel pain and inflammation. There are several things that an individual might consider doing to mitigate the condition and the pain that can sometimes be felt from the ingrown toenail. In particular, soaking the feet in salt water may help to mitigate the condition as well as reduce the swelling in the feet. Soaking might even make the nails softer, making it easier to cut them. It is important to remember, however, that cutting an ingrown toenail is best left to medical professionals who best know how to safely perform this procedure. If you have an ingrown toenail and are suffering from pain and discomfort, please contact a podiatrist who will be able to help you treat the condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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