Upstep Answers
Our team answers your questions about the causes and treatment of various podiatric conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, foot pain, and the use of custom orthotics.
Recent Answers
Best Shoes For a Sprained Ankle—and What to Avoid
Ankle pain is a common problem in many people, especially athletes. It is often a symptom of an underlying disease or condition, including sprains. However, it can also be a consequence of wearing the wrong shoes. Which Shoes Should You Wear With a Sprained Ankle? Shoes can cause or worsen ankle pain, but they can also improve ankle pain and ankle sprains. Interestingly, changing into supportive shoes as soon as possible speeds up recovery after an ankle sprain. They do this by influencing the biomechanical alignment of the foot, providing support and cushioning, and aiding efficient energy transfer during motion. Shoes with sturdy soles and cushioning are best after sprains. Which Types of Shoes Should You Avoid Wearing? With any type of sprained ankle, you should avoid wearing the following: Ill-fitting shoes Shoes that are too tight or too wide will aggravate ankle problems.Shoes without adequate heel support Without adequate support, you will strain the muscles in your foot, which leads to further pain and discomfort.Uneven shoes due to wear and tear This can dislodge the alignment of the feet and cause pain.The wrong shoes for activities While it may seem obvious, wearing running shoes for long hours at work or wearing work boots to race will worsen the symptoms of a sprained ankle. High heels Wearing high heels should be avoided altogether until your ankle has fully healed. What Else Can Be Done to Heal a Sprained Ankle? We also recommend performing specific exercises to heal sprained ankles, doing regular ankle strengthening exercises, and using ankle support. You can also garner further relief through the use of insoles, but it is important to note that they should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for a sprain.
Asked 5 days ago
Can Crocs Ease the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Crocs have been around since 2002. Regardless of the controversy over its utility, the footwear brand has grown to become a major manufacturer of flip-flops and sandals globally. By all indications, Crocs have come to stay - and for good reason. The lightweight footwear offers as much in its unique style as it does in comfort. They are easy to slip on and are also fully breathable, giving your toes enough room to move around and promoting circulation. Do Crocs Have Good Foot Support? Yes and no. Crocs have good arch support, however, they do not offer enough heel support. Consequently, this lowers the overall foot support you receive from Crocs. It will leave you trying to grip the shoe with your toes. Invariably, this can lead to different toe conditions, including tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, and painful corns and callouses. » Want to know more about custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis symptoms? Read the plantar fasciitis product review Do Crocs Help With Plantar Fasciitis? Heel pain is a major cause of concern for many people, and plantar fasciitis is a leading cause. There are many plantar fasciitis treatment options. Ice, rest, simple exercises, and maintaining a healthy weight are all beneficial treatments. In addition to these methods, using supportive footwear and orthotics can be effective for foot pain. This is why Crocs can help in treating plantar fasciitis. Not only do they fit the foot well, but they are also well-cushioned - guaranteeing comfort while walking. Moreover, they have rigid soles that provide firm support to the foot. The rigidity prevents twisting of the foot, which puts strain on the foot and leg. Crocs can also ease the pain of plantar fasciitis by means of reinforced heels. Ligaments in the foot and heel are not stretched or torn during long periods of physical activity. With this in mind, if your goal is to relieve pain in the heel of the foot, especially due to plantar fasciitis, wearing Crocs is a good choice. High arch Crocs are supportive and orthopedic, which makes them a popular choice for many.
Asked 6 days ago
How Can Burning Feet Feel Cold at the Same Time?
Burning feet syndrome, otherwise known as Grierson-Gopalan syndrome, is a medical condition characterized by a burning sensation, aching pain, increased sensitivity, and excessive sweating in the soles of the feet. In severe cases, symptoms are reported throughout the feet, progressing upwards to the ankles and lower legs. The symptoms of pain are usually worse at night and commonly lead to a restless night's sleep. Burning feet syndrome is often caused by damage to the nerves in the feet and lower legs due to various conditions such as diabetes, excessive alcohol use, vitamin deficiencies, and exposure to certain toxins. Managing the primary cause of the nerve pain is essential in limiting complications that could arise from the condition progressing with time. Orthotics are often seen as a convenient and effective solution to manage the condition. Causes of Cold Burning Feet You might have ice cold feet despite the burning sensation, often at night before going to bed. This is because the nerve damage impairs the body's ability to detect temperature changes in the feet. In this case, the nervous system is sending messages to the brain alerting it to burning feet, but when the feet are touched they are cold. Be mindful of the reduced feedback from the nerves in the feet when using home remedies for treating pain associated with this condition. The skin on the feet may burn if placed in hot water for foot soaking or close to a heat source. You may not feel any damage as it's happening. Wound healing is impaired in people with neuropathy in the feet, therefore good shoes and regular self checks is helpful. Should You See a Doctor for Cold Burning Feet? If the sensation of cold feet arises and the feet are cold to touch, this may indicate an issue with the blood supply to the feet. The feet may not be getting enough blood or there could be a clot limiting blood flow to the feet. Consult with a medical professional should you not be able to warm your feet up, if you feel pain in the back of the calf muscle, or if the skin turns blue. Also, be sure to contact a medical professional if open wounds develop as healing may be delayed due to nerve damage.
Asked 6 days ago
How to Stop Your Inner Ankle From Hurting When Running
If running is to remain enjoyable, then it must be without pain. Sure, there may be occasional soreness of muscles when you over-exert or push them beyond their limits, but not pain. If you experience pain in your inner ankle when running or after, it may be due to a more severe condition like posterior tibial tendonitis. Without management, such as shoes for a sprained ankle, pain can lead to further injury and lower the quality of your life. Why Your Inner Ankle Is Sore When Running Inner ankle pain is common with runners and can occur either during the race or after you’re done. If medial ankle pain occurs while running, it’s probably due to incorrect technique or improper footwear. If inner ankle soreness occurs after the race, it can be due to an ankle sprain, weak ankle stabilizers, weak calf muscles, or the compensation that occurs to carry you through your run. Prevention and Treatment of Ankle Pain To treat inner ankle soreness, you can begin by reducing how long you run. Afterward, consider resting the foot and using ice to reduce inflammation swelling. You may also need to change your running shoes to one that better supports the arch of your foot. It's also important to understand that you may still experience pain on the interior or exterior of your ankle without swelling. Additionally, you can perform ankle exercises to strengthen the posterior tibial tendon, the calf muscles, and ankle stabilizers. You may also consider using Upstep's custom orthotics for running. These orthotics will be designed to support your arch and reduce pressure on the posterior tibial tendon. Inner ankle pain can be problematic for a runner and keep you off the track. However, by adhering to your exercises and getting your custom orthotics, you’ll be back out there sooner than you can imagine.
Asked 6 days ago
The Differences Between Memory Foam vs. Gel Insoles
There are many different reasons that you might need to purchase a pair of insoles for your shoes. Perhaps you are trying to deal with some foot pain, or maybe you just feel that you need some extra support. Regardless of your reasons, you will still have to decide which material you would like your insoles to be made from. That being said, is memory foam or gel better for insoles? Read on to find out. Memory Foam Insoles Pros Memory foam insoles beat all other materials in terms of comfort and pressure relief. They mold to the shape of your feet and provide some wonderful cushioning. Cons Exacerbate preexisting conditions Although this might feel like a great benefit at first, if you have any preexisting conditions, memory foam could potentially exacerbate them over time as they don't adjust the way your foot operates, only enhance it. Memory foam insoles are good if all you need is a general pair for some extra cushioning and support and don't intend to use them for high-intensity exercise. Gel Insoles Pros Shock absorption Makes them perfect for use in high-intensity exercise that involves a lot of impact stress. Cons Lack arch support They don't provide much arch supportNot for symptomatic treatment Gel insoles are not suitable for managing symptoms of flat feet or overpronation. Which Insole Should You Buy? Both gel and memory foam insoles are primarily used for giving some extra support or shock absorption, and so it really comes down to whether you are using them for general comfort or to help you during exercise.
Asked 10 days ago
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