Different shoe parts and how it helps your feet? The Texas Foot Specialists

Proper foot care involves choosing the right type of shoes. Wearing running shoes for example helps prevent injury while improving your performance. But choosing the right shoe is more than selecting the right size. We should also understand the basic components of the shoe and how it affects our feet.

The use of therapeutic footwear is just one of the treatments employed by podiatrist for managing the different symptoms of foot disorders. Those with toe deformities, hammertoes or bunions could benefit from using therapeutic shoes. A visit to a podiatrist can help explain the many benefits of using therapeutic shoes. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot conditions and disorders.

What are the different components of a shoe?

• The toe box is a space located the top of the shoe which is used to enclose the toes. A wider toe box is ideal for those suffering from hammertoes. It gives the toes more room to wiggle reducing pain.
• The sole is located at the bottom of the feet. It provides cushioning to absorb high intensity impacts. It helps reduce risks for foot injuries due to running or jumping. A specially designed sole could also offer additional support for people suffering from flat feet.
• The heels is another shoe part that provides additional foot support. However, the height of the heels have a direct effect on how weight is shifted in the feet. Shoes with “high” heels push our weight forward to the toe area.
  
• The vamp composes the top area of the shoe. This is usually the area where shoe laces are located. It can be used to adjust the tightness of the shoe for better fit.
• The sides as the name indicates comprises the sides of the shoes. A shoe made of flexible materials makes it easier for the shoes to conform with the foot’s shape. A therapeutic shoe designed with wider sides for example can be a source of relief for those suffering from bunions.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Bunions are a common ailment for women - Texas Foot Specialists

Bunions are a common ailment, especially for women. Hallus vaxus, or bunions are a bump atthe base of your big toe caused a combination of genetics and poor shoes.

Wife of famous soccer star David Beckham, Victoria Beckham suffers from severe bunions caused by many years of wearing high heels, both on and off the red carpet. In October of 2013, Beckham had a bunionectomy to remove the bunions and realign her toes. 

How do I get bunions?

Although experts debate the causes, it seems that there are several ways that bunions can develop. It has been proved that wearing pointy-toed shoes is possibly a factor in the inflammation of the joint. Recently, certain studies have shown that the affliction might hold some genetic roots in it, since girls whose mothers had bunions seem to be more likely to develop the disorder. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specializes in helping people suffering from bunions.

What can I do to treat my bunions?

A simple examination by the doctor is usually enough to diagnose bunions, but most often, there will be an X-Ray to confirm the diagnosis.

There are several remedies that are available to those who have bunions. Depending on the severity of the condition, there are both surgical and non-surgical remedies available. For select patients, orthotics that help distribute pressure evenly across your feet and elevate your arches might be beneficial.

Avoiding uncomfortable shoes can prevent unnecessary confinement that can further irritate bunions. If you apply ice to the bunion, it can provide a temporary sense of relief by reducing inflammation and soreness.

For patients suffering from more severe bunions, a bunionectomy might be the best course of treatment. There are a few different options when looking at surgery to treat bunions, a few of which include:

• Cutting the swollen tissue from around your big toe
• Removing part of the big toe bone to straighten the alignment
• Joining the bones of the affected joints

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with Bunions. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Pain Relief from Bunions - Texas Foot Specialists

Bunions make wearing shoes painful and uncomfortable. It makes simple activities such as walking and standing so difficult that it can negatively affect how we go about our normal activities.

Bunions develop when the joint located between the big toe and foot becomes inflamed. Pain, swelling and tenderness is noticed in the area. Over time, the bone becomes misaligned and the bump develops. Pain is caused by inflamed tissues pressing against the nerves. This is further aggravated when walking or standing as the foot absorbs the enormous stress of supporting our weight.

Some people are at high risk for developing bunions due to heredity. Bunions can also be caused by wearing tight fitting shoes that press the toes together. It can also be caused by shoes that interfere with normal weight distribution in the feet. High heels for example shift most of our weight to the toes which place above normal pressure in the toes.

The Goals of Bunion Treatment

A quick visit to your podiatrist gives you the best and safest treatment options for treating bunions. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are podiatrists who specialize in helping people bunions and other foot disorders.

•  Immediate pain relief and reduction of future pain episodes
•  Prevent bunions from progressing
•  Treat the bunion and restore normal alignment without surgery if possible
•  Help restore normal weight distribution in the feet

Apply and ice pack over the area to reduce swelling and help calm the nerves down. This provides temporary pain relief without using pain medications. Do this several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes to gradually reduce the swelling. A small swell now makes it possible for you to wear shoes without your toes constantly being pressed by the sides of your shoes.   

Therapeutic footwear or shoes designed around your foot deformity can also episodes of pain and discomfort. A podiatrist may recommend therapeutic shoes with a wider toe area or those made from more flexible materials to relieve pressure on your toe joint.

Insoles provide additional foot support. This helps in distributing your weight more evenly and reduce pressure in your toe joint. Exercises can be employed to improve foot strength. It also keeps your joints loose.

If symptoms persist, surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with bunions.  To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.