Should I Wear Over-the-Counter Shoe Inserts?

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If you have foot discomfort, you may be tempted to pick up a pair of over-the-counter shoe inserts. These inserts are available at most drugstores. But foot discomfort indicates that you likely have some kind of foot problem that should be seen by a podiatrist. And these types of inserts may cause more harm than good.

One-Size-Fits-All Over-the-Counter Shoe Inserts

The biggest problem with over-the-counter shoe inserts is that they are mostly one-size-fits-all. You won’t get a customized fit simply from trimming down a pair of drugstore inserts and sipping them into your shoes.

Temporary Relief

Drugstore shoe inserts may feel great when you first use them. It may seem like they have truly solved your foot discomfort. But the relief will be temporary if you have a serious foot problem. Serious feet issues can’t be solved with a little bit of extra foam in your soles, as your Austin, TX podiatrist can tell you. You’re much better off getting professional help that will treat the underlying problem of your foot pain.

Exacerbating a Serious Condition

Your foot pain may even be causing you to have pain in other areas of your body. As you may know, the skeletal system is all connected. So if you have certain kinds of foot discomfort, the way you walk and stand to relief that discomfort can cause an imbalance that negatively impacts other joints and muscles. In short, wearing cheap shoe inserts to relieve foot discomfort could actually make a condition worse.

Visit your podiatrist in Austin, TX whenever you have any kind of foot discomfort that’s making you consider shoe inserts. That way, you’ll be sure to address any underlying condition. You’ll get treatment that will keep your feet, and the rest of your body, pain-free. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Finding Shoes When Dealing With Bunions

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If you have bunions, you know how difficult it is to find comfortable shoes. Bunions are malformations on the outside of the joint where the big toe meets the foot. These growths alter the shape of the foot, making it painful to wear almost all shoes. In fact, many people with bunions opt to go barefoot as much as possible when at home, for that very reason. Eventually, though, you need to wear shoes. Here are some helpful tips from your Austin, TX podiatrist for finding shoes when dealing with bunions.

Shop at Wide Width Stores

There are some specialty shoe stores online that specialize in shoes in widths from D on up to EE and maybe even wider than that. Getting wide shoes helps to ensure that you don’t irritate the bunion by having a narrow width. This will reduce the possibility for pain as well as help prevent your bunion from getting worse.

Try Shoes With Elastic Bands Across the Top

Some shoemakers are more sensitive to the needs of those with bunions. There are certain styles of shoes that have elastic bands across the area where your bunion is. This allows more people to fit into the shoe size comfortably.

Opt For Shoes With Gaps on the Sides

In summer, you’ll find more shoe selections with straps instead of a full enclosure. These often have gaps right where the bunion is, allowing absolutely no friction on your bunion from the shoe. Many women find this style both flattering and comfortable, in particular.

Get Treatment For Your Bunions

Of course, the best shoe solution for your bunion is to have the bunion treated. Treatment for bunions in Austin, TX is available at your podiatrist’s office. Contact us today to find out what treatments might be available for you.

What to Look For in a Running Shoe

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Running can be a great way to stay in shape. But if you are wearing the wrong kind of running shoes, the act of running can cause more harm than good. Whether you’re a daily runner, a professional athlete or you just run for fun every now and then, make sure you select the best running shoes for your needs.

Consider Your Specific Foot Needs

Your Austin, TX podiatrist can help you when it comes to choosing running shoes. Everyone has a unique foot shape, when it comes to arches. Find out from your podiatrist if you have high arches, neutral arches or flat feet. Your podiatrist can also tell you if you have supination when you step, or overpronation. The podiatrist will explain how each of these affect your gait and how it will influence which running shoes you purchase.

Avoid Trends

Trendy running shoes aren’t usually the best. For instance, shoes with individual toe sections might look cool, but they force the feet into an unnatural position that could cause pain or even harm over the long-term.

Go Bigger

Select a running shoe in a half size larger than your standard shoe size. You’ll want to wear thicker socks when you run, and the extra room will keep your feet from being pinched when they swell after exertion.

Rubber Soles are Best

Stay away from plastic soles. They won’t absorb enough shock when you hit the pavement. Instead, choose shock absorbent rubber soles.

Use Running-Designated Shoes

Quality athletic shoes are made specifically for specific movements. For instance, tennis shoes are made for foot movements that are back and forth, from side to side. Running shoes are made to support the arch and absorb shock. Make you choose shoes specifically made for running, and not a general, “multi-sport” shoe.

When you’re ready to invest in a good pair of running shoes, talk to your podiatrist in Austin, TX for recommendations.

Close up of medical worker massaging foot

Effective In-Office Treatments for Foot Neuroma

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Do you often feel tingling, burning, and numbness in one or both feet? Or have those sensations long since escalated into outright pain? If so, you may have a foot neuroma, or pinched nerve. If that’s the case, the pain and other sensations will likely keep getting worse without treatment. Thankfully, you can get the care you need from an Austin TX podiatrist. Here’s how they can help.

Custom Orthotics

Podiatrists can create custom orthotics that take the pressure off the pinched nerve. You can then simply slip the orthotics into your shoes and go about the rest of your day in pure comfort. In fact, you can get custom orthotics in Austin TX made for all types of shoes, including sneakers, dress shoes, and even high heels. Their personalized design goes well beyond over-the-counter inserts in helping relieve your pain and discomfort.

Minimally Invasive Injections

When overly agitated, the pinched nerves in your feet can leave you in a world of hurt until the treatment starts to work. You may then find it hard to manage your daily obligations as a result. To help you get quick relief from the pain and discomfort, your podiatrist can administer minimally invasive injections.

The most effective minimally invasive injections for neuromas include:

  • Local anesthetic
  • Cortisone
  • Alcohol sclerosing injections

Your podiatrist will use their exam findings to determine which injections to use for your foot neuroma. Although instant relief is possible, it could take a couple of treatments before you’re feeling 100% once again.

When to Call Your Podiatrist in Austin TX

Any time you’re having numbness, burning sensation, or pain in your feet, schedule a visit with your podiatrist to get it checked out. All you have to do is call 512-451-3668 and find a convenient time to visit Dr. LaMour. As your podiatrist, he will assess your condition and help you find the right level of treatment for your needs. So, please feel free to reach out whenever foot pain arises.

Keeping Feet Safe at the Gym 

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Your podiatrist in Austin,Texas wants you to know that keeping feet safe at the gym is of the utmost importance. While it’s healthy to exercise and even get the socialization that public gyms offer, gyms can also be a threat to the health of your feet. There’s no reason to be overly alarmed as long as you take the following safety precautions.

Begin Slowly

If you’re still recovering from pandemic-mode, you may not have visited the gym in a while. Don’t assume you can just pick up where you left off. The tendons and joints in your feet and ankles may not be ready to handle your toughest workout. Ease back into your routine slowly until you can increase your stamina and strengthen your feet and ankles to where you’re used to.

Wear Proper Foot Gear

Make sure you’re wearing shoes that support your achilles heel and ankle, especially if you do bicycle workouts, cardio or weightlifting. These workouts really put the ankles through their paces, and you’ll want footwear that offers proper support. Ideally, you’ll have a designated pair of sneakers that you wear only to the gym.

Use Correct Technique

Don’t be shy about asking a gym professional to demonstrate correct technique on any gym equipment that you haven’t yet tried. There are all kinds of ways to injure your feet and ankles while working out, but using proper technique will greatly minimize your risk.

Wear Shower Sandals

Make the extra effort to always wear shower sandals or water shoes while inside the locker room. Foot bacteria lurks in warm and damp environments like showers, toilet stalls and locker areas. Avoid going barefoot too, because in any public place like the gym, there is always the chance that someone has dropped a sharp object, pin or something else that could damage your feet.

Visit Your Podiatrist After an Injury

If you do injure your feet or ankles at the gym, book an appointment with your Austin, TX podiatrist right away. Don’t assume it’s nothing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Maintaining your mobility is paramount to overall good health, and your feet and ankles are the most important factor. Take good care of them at the gym using the tips mentioned above.

What to Look For in Quality Shoes

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Did you know that poorly made shoes can negatively impact spine health? If you aren’t wearing high-quality shoes, you are probably experiencing severe back pain. More often than not, back pain can stop you from doing everyday tasks like lifting heavy objects, exercising, playing with your children, and even working at a desk. Many people with back pain aren’t able to enjoy road trips either. Your Austin, TX podiatrist wants you to know that, instead of wearing poorly made shoes that aren’t good for your spine, you should look for shoes with the following features.

Cushioning

When you’re shopping for shoes, make sure to choose ones with adequate cushioning to greatly reduce impact. A shoe with proper cushioning will successfully absorb shock, lowering stress on your back. Just so you know, the part of the shoe that absorbs shock and provides cushioning is known as the midsole. A great way to test the cushioning is to press the midsole with your thumb. If you typically strike the ground hard when walking or running, shoes with an extremely cushioned midsole will be a lifesaver because you won’t feel a shock going up your legs and straight up your back.

Arch Support

The arch support of a shoe is an extremely important feature because it may be able to get rid of your back pain. Whether you have a neutral, low, or high arch, you should wear the right shoes for your arch type to eliminate excessive pronation. The right shoe will correspond to the natural arch of your foot.

Custom Molded Orthotics

Custom molded orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts that are individually crafted to fit your feet. Custom molded orthotics are used to correct a wide variety of foot and ankle-related problems, as well as issues related to the knees, hips, and lower back. Custom molded orthotics are also used to treat different types of problems that affect your foot including Bunions, Hammertoes, Flat feet and problems with the way you walk.

Custom-made orthotics are made of durable materials, that may incorporate both hard and soft features, depending on your specific needs. Custom-made orthotics can be crafted to fit inside most types of footwear, including athletic shoes and high heels.

Dr. LaMour can have custom-made orthotics made for your shoes that are made specifically for your foot. He will begin your custom-made orthotics fitting with a review of your symptoms and an examination of your foot. Then he’ll scan or use a plaster cast to get a mold of your foot. The mold will ensure that your custom-made orthotic will fit perfectly and ensures that the orthotic is tailored to address your underlying problem. Once the mold is created, it’s sent to a lab that specializes in the highest-quality custom molded orthotics.

Low Heel

When it comes to your shoe’s heels, the “lower the better” is generally a good rule to follow. The ideal height of a heel should be one to two inches. For a shoe to be good for your spine, it’s heel definitely shouldn’t be higher than two inches. The beauty of shoes with low heels is that they won’t misalign your spine or cause back pain.

When you wear high-quality shoes, you can drastically improve your posture and back pain. Our podiatrist in Austin, TX can help determine the whether your most commonly worn shoes are contributing to your spinal issues. Contact us today to start experiencing optimal spine health.

5 Signs You Need to Change Your Running Shoes

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If you’re a serious runner, then you know how important it is to have comfortable, safe running shoes. You should replace your running shoes about every 300 miles or so, but if your running shoes are not the greatest quality, or if you routinely run over rough surfaces like rocky trails, gravel roads, and other uneven surfaces, then your shoes may wear down more quickly than others. Knowing the signs that it’s time to replace your running shoes can help you take care of your feet.

1. Your Feet Hurt When You Run

Your feet or joints should not feel like they’ve been through a challenging exercise after a run. While it’s ok to feel worn down, tired or winded – you should not experience painful feet after a run. If you do, get new running shoes to see if this helps. If it doesn’t, speak with a podiatrist in Austin, TX.

2. Your Soles Are Worn Down

The soles of your shoes should not be terribly worn down. If they are, this is a sign that your shoes are not holding up well to the wear and tear of your running routine. Whether you’ve hit 300 miles in the shoes or not, it’s time to replace them.

3. You Don’t Know How Many Miles You’ve Run

Did you lose track of how many miles you’ve run in your current shoes? If you’ve had them a long time and you don’t know how long, then you may have already hit the 300-mile mark. Consider replacing your shoes just to ensure that your feet are well cared for.

If this isn’t the first time you’ve had a hard time keeping track of how many miles you’ve run in your shoes, put the date of purchase on the inside of your next pair. If you can estimate how many miles you usually run per week, then you should be able to track when you’ve run 300 miles in your shoes.

4. You Feel The Impact of Each Stride

If it feels like you’re hitting the ground hard with every stride you take, then it may be time for new shoes or custom orthotics. It may also be time for help with heel pain in Austin or Pflugerville TX. Call today to make an appointment.

Polydactylism

Polydactylism – Should You Be Worried About Extra Toes?

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Polydactyly is actually one of the most common malformations affecting as many as 1 in every 1,000 babies born today. The condition is most often related to genetics, but some research suggests that environmental factors could contribute to the development of extra fingers or toes during pregnancy. While extra toes may seem like no big deal, occasionally, these little extra limbs can cause problems. Here is a look at a few things that can come up when you have extra toes.

Problems Finding Properly Fitting Shoes

One of the biggest challenges people with extra toes have is the fact that it can be relatively difficult to find shoes that fit properly. Shoes are obviously designed for people with five toes. A six-toed foot can be substantially wider than the average foot, and the added toes can be in unusual spots, such as along the side of the big toe or seated slightly overlapping other toes.

Disruptions in Balance or Walking Form

In certain polydactyly cases, the added toe can cause a disruption in how an individual holds their balance or how they walk. For instance, an added toe that points in a more downward position may have the individual walking in an unusual way to avoid putting pressure on the toe. While having extra toes may sound like it would mean you have better balance, the opposite is often true. Many people with added toes have issues with an imbalanced stance, specifically, if the toe is in an odd place or one foot has an extra toe and the other does not.

Injury to the Extra Toe

Depending on where the added digit is located, it can be more prone to injury. For example, an individual with a nubbin (extra toe with little or no bone structure) on the side of their pinky toe can have issues with hitting the nubbin or catching it on things. Injuries to extra toes can be just as concerning as injuries to other toes. Infection is common with foot injuries and healing times can be a bit slower.

Talk to a Podiatrist in Austin, TX About Polydactyly Problems

If you have an extra toe or more on your foot as an adult, chances are your parents chose to not have the toe(s) removed when you were born. Reach out to us to discuss how we may be able to help with your extra toes and the problems they can cause. Contact the office of Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA to schedule an appointment.

From Childhood and Beyond: The Importance of Properly Fitting Shoes

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A 2018 study found that 65 percent of children are walking around in ill-fitting shoes. When you consider that wearing shoes that are too small or too large can lead to serious health issues, some of which last a lifetime, this study’s findings are disturbing.

The Effects of Ill-Fitting Shoes

There are numerous factors that influence how a child’s foot develops. These factors include gender, age, physical activity level and the child’s body mass index (BMI). When a child wears a pair of shoes that fit properly, his or her feet are protected from sustaining injuries while walking across different ground textures (e.g., rocks, grass, concrete, etc.) as well as from temperature variances (e.g., hot pavement during the summer months, frozen ground during winter, etc.).

7 Health Issues Resulting from Wearing Ill-Fitting Shoes

  1. Ingrown Toenails

When a shoe is too tight, the pressure is placed on the corners of the toes. This pressure can cause the toenail to grow into the flesh, which causes inflammation and pain. Sometimes, the ingrown toenail needs to be addressed at the doctor’s office.

  1. Minor Foot Problems

Wearing shoes that are too small for a lengthy period of time can cause blisters to develop. In addition, sore spots, reddened skin and cuts are possible.

  1. Injuries from Frequent Falls

When shoes are too tight or too loose, the risk of tripping and falling increases. Therefore, the likelihood of the child sustaining some type of injury rises.

  1. Joint Pain or Arthritis

Shoes that fit incorrectly do not provide an adequate amount of support, this lack of support could increase the potential of the individual developing joint pain and/or arthritis later in life: The joints that are frequently affected include the knees, hips, feet and/or ankles.

  1. Foot Deformities

When a shoe is too tight, the shoe materials, which are neither bendable nor breathable, frequently rub against the foot. As time passes, bunions, calluses, hammertoes and corns may develop.

  1. Anxiety

Wearing painful, uncomfortable shoes while dealing with frequent trips and falls, can lead to an individual becoming anxious. This anxiousness and frequent falling could negatively affect the child’s self-esteem as well as his or her quality of life.

  1. Nerve damage

Consistently wearing tight-fitting shoes repeatedly places excess stress on the foot, which puts additional pressure on the nerves. Once nerve damage occurs in the feet, several different sensations result; These sensations include tingling, numbness, pain and muscle weakness in the foot/feet.

If you or your child is experiencing a foot problem, Dr. Jeffery LaMour can help. To schedule an appointment, contact the office today at 512-451-3668. Dr. LaMour’s Austin, Texas, office is located at 8015 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 119.

The Importance of Good Shoes as a Diabetic

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Diabetes is one of the most commonly diagnosed medical conditions in the United States, and it is no secret that the disease can bring along a lot of risks for your feet. One thing any good podiatrist will tell you about taking care of your feet as a diabetic is that the shoes you wear are extremely important. Here is a look at why good shoes are so important if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Good shoes will protect your feet from corns and calluses.

Corns and calluses occur because of pressure on certain points of the feet when you walk. While this can be the body’s way of offering more support or protection for pressure points, it can cause issues if you have diabetes. These growths do not get a lot of blood flow, and they can be damaging to the underlying healthy skin. Wearing shoes that evenly distributes your body weight on your feet will lessen issues with corn and callus development.

Good shoes will prevent stress on the rest of your body.

When you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you have to take extra care of the rest of your body, including the musculoskeletal system. Wearing ill-fitting shoes that do not provide the proper level of support doesn’t just stress the feet; it can also put undue stress on ankles, knees, hips, and even your spine.

Good shoes will protect your feet from direct injury.

People with diabetes can have problems with injuries and wounds healing much slower. If the foot sustains an injury due to poor shoe choices, it can leave you at risk of developing an infection in the wound that could put your feet and the rest of your body at risk. Well-made shoes without open toes or materials that are easy to puncture will help protect your feet from direct injury.

Find Out More About Protecting Your Feet as a Diabetic in Austin, TX

Individuals who have diabetes should have their feet examined by a doctor about once a year to ensure they are not developing worrisome issues. If you are diabetic and you have never had a proper foot health evaluation, reach out to us at the podiatry office of Dr. Jeffery LaMour, DPM, PA in Austin, TX to schedule an appointment.