November 2022

The term pronation has to do with the turning inward or outward of the foot when walking and running. When the foot overpronates, it rolls excessively inward, which can negatively affect the gait. Overpronation can affect the way you stand, run, and distribute your weight while active. Overpronation, which is often termed flat foot, also can lead to posture or walking problems and may even result in back pain. A podiatrist can determine the extent of overpronation by examining the wear pattern on the bottom of your shoes, as well as studying the foot from front to back. An imaging test, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be performed to determine the extent of the imbalance. Many people with overpronation difficulties rely on foot orthotics to correct the inherent problems. A podiatrist can create a custom orthotic for you that helps to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by overpronation. In addition, several muscle-strengthening exercises can be prescribed to increase arch support. Please contact a podiatrist today for further guidance.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

There are basic things to look for when purchasing running shoes. It is important to decide what type of running will be practiced, and this generally consists of mileage that is high, medium, or low. This is followed by choosing a shoe that will fit your foot, such as having a wider toe box, or a certain type of heel. Additionally, the type of surface that is run on will determine what type of shoe to buy. Running on pavements will require road shoes to be worn, and these are adequate in providing shock absorption. Trail shoes are designed to be worn while running through soft muddy trails, and wearing hybrid shoes is recommended for running on various surfaces. It is beneficial to bring the socks that are worn to try on with the shoes, in addition to bringing insoles, if applicable. If you would like more information about what type of shoes to buy for specific types of running, please consult with a podiatrist who can help you to make choices that are right for you. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

A stress fracture of the foot develops gradually, and the most common reason is from overuse. Each foot has 26 bones, and they endure the body’s weight. People who frequently run or participate in jumping activities may be prone to developing a stress fracture. It is considered to be a hairline fracture, and occurs at a weak point in the foot structure. Additional reasons why people may get stress fractures can consist of increasing speed and distance too quickly, or possibly from running on uneven surfaces. It is important to practice stretching techniques before running, and cooling down properly is essential. An X-ray is often taken which can provide a proper diagnosis. This is helpful in determining the severity of the fracture and is followed by treatment. Many patients use crutches to keep the weight off of the affected foot, which may help to accelerate the healing process. This can take up to eight weeks. If you are active in a particular sport and feel you may have a stress fracture, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

Ingrown toenails are a pesky foot condition that can develop when the sides of the toenails essentially grow into the skin. Sometimes, this can result in the skin around the nail growing over the sides of the toenail. Although some people with this condition might not feel any specific symptoms, others might feel pain. There are important steps that you can take to prevent ingrown toenails. First, you ought to consider wearing shoes that fit properly. Tight shoes can lead to the squeezing of the toes. Second, you can work on trimming your toenails properly. Keeping the nails too short or in a crooked shape can ultimately encourage the surrounding skin to grow over the nail. Contact a podiatrist today to learn about more preventative measures you can take against ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact William Urton, DPM of British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

There are several benefits that can occur when parents encourage their children to walk barefoot. These can include improvements in balance, walking, and range of motion. Additionally, the joints and muscles in the feet can become stronger, as a result of the toes gripping the floor. Research has indicated that the nervous system is stimulated when a child walks barefoot, and pressure points are used to send messages to various parts of the body. Children often become more aware of their surroundings when they walk barefoot outside. Walking on different surfaces such as grass, sand, leaves, and concrete can help the child to become more sensitive to nature. Their motor skills may be improved, and it may be easier to jump and balance during playtime activities. It is advised that sunscreen is applied to the child’s feet, and as a precaution against getting a sunburn, shoes may need to be worn outside on a particularly sunny day. If you would like more information about the benefits of having your child walk barefoot, please ask a podiatrist who can help you with the information you are seeking.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact William Urton, DPM of British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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