Because older adults often deal with balance and mobility issues, their risk of falling is increased. Proper footwear can help reduce that risk, even in those with diabetes, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases. High heels and sling-back or backless shoes can be particularly hazardous as they reduce a person’s ability to maintain balance. While older adults with diabetes or foot pain are often more familiar with foot care practices, all older adults can benefit from contacting a podiatrist to learn more about foot and ankle health and what shoes are best for improving balance and reducing their risk of falling and serious injury.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Howard Horowitz from Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

For many people, foot pain from certain conditions causes sleepless nights for themselves and their partners. These conditions include: peripheral neuropathy—a nerve disorder causing numbness and pain in both the feet and hands, Morton's neuroma—where pinched bones aggravate and inflame a nerve, a pinched nerve—which occurs in the lower back and travels down the sciatic nerve into the foot, and restless leg syndrome—where a chemical imbalance interrupts normal brain-to-nerve-cell signals and triggers involuntary leg movements. If you or your loved one are experiencing any nocturnal foot pain, contact a podiatrist who can help diagnose and treat your condition so you can get some relief and a good night’s sleep.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Howard Horowitz from Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Corns and calluses are both hardened layers of dead skin that can develop on the feet to protect them from stress, irritation and rubbing that has occurred over a period of time—usually as a result of wearing ill-fitting shoes or friction between the toes. The difference between corns and calluses is where they are located: calluses are on the bottom of the toes, and corns are on a bony area on the top of the foot. Corns also have a thick “core” of skin at their base and are either hard (on the top of the toes), or soft (between the toes). Corns, like calluses, can be painful and cause difficulty walking. Occasionally, a little blood may collect where the skin of the foot and the corn meet and cause discoloration or even split the skin and allow an infection to possibly occur. You can help avoid getting a corn by wearing properly sized shoes with plenty of room for the toes to move. If the corn does not go away on its own over several months, or is causing pain or difficulty walking, a podiatrist may relieve discomfort or even remove pressure and pain from the area by safely shaving away some of the dead skin. They may also be able to correct any structural issue you might have using orthotics to distribute weight more evenly.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Howard Horowitz of Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor 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 Bowie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.