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How To Find Your Correct Shoe Size

Having your feet measured professionally is a good idea when shopping for shoes. As we age, our feet grow when the tendons and ligaments lose elasticity. The results are that the toes spread out, the arch flattens, and the feet become longer and wider.

Using The Brannock Device

This strange-looking metal device used to measure your feet in shoe stores is called a Brannock Device. It has been in use for almost 100 years!

Charles F. Brannock came from a shoe industry family and wanted an improved means of measuring the length and width of your feet and the height of the arch. The foot-measuring device that we know today as the Brannock device gives accurate measurements of both right and left feet and is the international footwear industry standard.

There are models for men’s shoe sizing, women’s and children’s, and specialized types for athletic shoes and ski boots. Even the Smithsonian Institution recognizes its contribution to the American industry and houses samples of some of the first Brannock devices.

Getting the Right Shoe Fit Is Important

Studies show that only about 37% of people wear shoes of the correct length and width! Are you one of them? Wearing shoes that are too short, too narrow, or too tight can cause some significant foot problems, including:

  • Neuropathy: Pins and needles in the feet and decreased sensation can be caused by tight-fitting shoes that put pressure on the nerves.
  • Hammertoe: Shoes that are too narrow in the toe box can force toes to bend unnaturally into the hammertoe shape. Besides being painful, the skin of the hammertoe can have corns and calluses from footwear pressure against bony spots.
  • Ingrown toenails: Pressure on the toe from poorly fitting shoes can force the edge of a toenail to grow into the skin and become infected.
  • Bunion: Although tight shoes won’t cause a painful bunion, they can worsen it by pushing the big toe.

Foot pain from poorly-fitting shoes can also cause mobility issues and falls. Play it safe – measure both feet at least twice yearly for foot comfort and safety.

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari is committed to helping her clients in Carrollton, TX. She offers a wide variety of treatments, from ingrown toenails to advanced surgical solutions. Contact Carrollton Foot Center’s office at 469-998-3668 to schedule an appointment today!

Toe Cramps

Dealing With Toe Cramps

Toe cramps may not be a serious condition, but the effects of it can range from mild annoyance to serious pain that makes walking more difficult. If toe cramps are interfering with your daily life, it’s crucial that you talk to your podiatrist for fast and easy relief. They can help get you back on the right path to being pain-free and help diagnose the root cause of the cramping! Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why you might have toe cramps.

Tight or Weak Muscles

There are dozens of tiny muscles in your feet and toes. If one of them becomes too tight or weak, it can lead to muscle spasms, which create pain. Ankle pain and Achilles tendonitis are also known to leave you with toe and foot cramps. New exercise routines, too-tight shoes, sitting for too long, and not stretching before your workout can all lead to muscle tension and weakness.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

High heels, too-tight shoes, or too-loose shoes can put too much pressure on your toes, making way for pain and eventually cramps. Finding shoes in your right size with a wide, spacious toe box is key to eliminating toe cramps.

Dehydration

Dehydration is known to make your muscles feel tight and tense. This tension can easily lead to cramping if you’re dehydrated for an extended period. Ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.

Muscle Injuries

An unhealed injury to your feet, calves, or toes can cause toe cramping and soreness. Sprains, strains, and other injuries to your ligaments typically create pain and tenderness in your toes.

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari is committed to helping her clients in Carrollton, TX. She offers a wide variety of treatments from ingrown toenails to advanced surgical solutions. Contact Carrollton Foot Center’s office at 469-998-3668 to schedule an appointment today!

Shopping

Shoe Shopping Tips for This Fall

November’s here and that means Black Friday and Christmas are approaching. If you’re going through your wardrobe, deciding what to keep, what to toss, and what you need to stock up on, you’re likely looking at your shoes, too. Shopping for new shoes can be nerve-wracking, especially if you find you’re always buying the wrong pairs. This fall, Carrollton Foot Center has your back! Here are our best tips for finding your new shoes this season.

  1. Shoes should always feel comfortable in the store. Don’t bother buying a pair that you intend on “breaking in”. This can not only lead to pain, but damage to your feet and ankles.
  2. Don’t be afraid to walk around the store and test the comfort of the shoes. Are they providing enough arch support? Are your toes squished? Or do your feet feel supported and comfy?
  3. Keep any concerns or conditions in mind! If you have diabetes or a nerve disorder, stick to shoes that provide extra comfort and help ease the pain. Do you work on your feet all day? Arch support is key.
  4. Find a pair you really love? Buy doubles! This will prevent your shoes from breaking down quickly and allow your shoes to air out in between wears.
  5. Always get your feet remeasured. Our feet are constantly growing and changing, especially as we age. This means your size from last year might not be your size right now.
  6. Bring along your favorite socks or custom orthotics! You’ll get the most realistic idea of how your new pair will fit.
  7. Consider shopping later in the day. Our feet swell and get larger as the day goes on. So, choosing a time in the afternoon to shoe shop will give you the best fit!
  8. If you’re in between sizes, choose the larger one. It’s better for your shoes to feel a little big than for your toes to get squished!

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari is committed to helping her clients in Carrollton, TX. She offers a wide variety of treatments from ingrown toenails to advanced surgical solutions. Contact Carrollton Foot Center’s office at 469-998-3668 to schedule an appointment today!

Run Safely This Fall

The weather is cooling down and many of us are ready to hit the trails or track to enjoy the crisp air during our run. Running is a great way to move our bodies. But accidents do happen, particularly to those who aren’t taking precautions. Injuries are common to runners. For those lacing up their sneakers this month, here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to safety.

Stretch Effectively

Before partaking in any form of exercise, it’s important to warm up your body and strengthen your muscles and tendons. Take some time out of your routine to stretch your entire body, paying close attention to your legs, ankles, and feet. Not stretching before or after a run is the easiest way to create an injury. For more information on which stretches are best for you, reach out to your podiatrist for some tips and tricks.

Ease Into It

For a lot of people, working out is about pushing your body to its limit and testing your strength. However, it’s important to not push yourself too far. Listen to your body and stop when you feel you need to. Always ease into your run. Start slow and steady and gradually build up your speed. Your feet will thank you.

Be On the Lookout

One of the most common ways to injure yourself is to not be aware of your surroundings and bump into something. This is especially true for those who run outside on trails. Watch out for rocks, twigs, wet leaves, animals, people, or anything else that you might come across on your run.

Support Your Feet

One of the best ways you can prevent an injury is to wear the right kind of footwear. There are plenty of sneakers on the market, making it easy to find the best one for you. The perfect pair will provide support, comfort, flexibility, and breathability. New shoes should also feel great during the first try-on. Never buy sneakers with the intention of “breaking them in,” as this can lead to pain and possible injury.

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari is committed to helping her clients in Carrollton, TX. She offers a wide variety of treatments from ingrown toenails to advanced surgical solutions. Contact Carrollton Foot Center’s office at 469-998-3668 to schedule an appointment today!

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