Falls prevention begins with simple habits that help strengthen the body and create safer movement. Staying aware of your surroundings, keeping pathways clear, and choosing supportive footwear can greatly reduce your chances of slipping. Tai chi is a gentle form of exercise that promotes better balance, coordination, and stability through slow and controlled movements. It helps improve muscle strength and body awareness, both of which are important for preventing falls. A podiatrist can identify foot or ankle issues that may affect balance, recommend proper footwear, and create a personalized plan to support safer mobility. If you have injured your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle injuries, and guide you on additional falls prevention techniques.

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 our doctors from Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma. Our doctors 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 offices located in Oklahoma City and Yukon, OK . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Proper footwear plays an essential role in healthy foot development for children. A child’s foot contains 26 bones and 35 joints, supported by soft tissues that are still developing strength and stability. When toddlers first begin walking, many appear flat-footed or may turn their feet inward, which usually improves as the arches and muscles strengthen. Shoes should provide protection without restricting natural movement, allowing the toes to spread and the foot to flex. Properly fitted footwear should include a wide toe box, flexible sole that bends near the front, and a secure heel counter to support alignment. Shoes that lack adequate support or are too tight can interfere with walking, and contribute to ingrown toenails or abnormal gait. A podiatrist can assess the structure and function of a child’s feet, monitor growth, and recommend footwear that reduces the risk of long-term complications. If your child is experiencing foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact our doctors of Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma. Our doctors 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 offices located in Oklahoma City and Yukon, OK . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot blisters are fluid-filled pockets that develop when friction, heat, and moisture cause the skin to rub repeatedly against shoes or socks. During hiking, this often happens from wearing ill-fitting footwear, sweaty feet, or long periods of walking on uneven terrain. Preventing blisters starts with wearing properly fitted hiking boots, moisture-wicking socks, and keeping feet dry. Taking breaks to air out shoes and addressing any discomfort early can also help. A podiatrist can safely treat painful or infected blisters, recommend custom insoles for better support, and offer tips to prevent future irritation. If blisters or foot pain are affecting your hikes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for expert care and guidance to keep your hiking adventures comfortable and blister-free.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact our doctors of Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Oklahoma City and Yukon, OK . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Carrying excess body weight places continuous pressure on the feet, which can strain bones, joints, and soft tissues with every step. The arches may gradually flatten under the increased load, altering foot posture and leading to plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or toe deformities. Extra weight can also add to plantar pressure, particularly under the ball of the foot and heel, which may result in pain and changes in walking patterns. Over time, this stress can affect balance and stability, making it more difficult for the feet and ankles to support normal movement. In some cases, the toes may curl or become misaligned due to the constant pressure on the forefoot. A podiatrist can evaluate these changes, assess how weight affects your foot structure, and recommend treatment to relieve pain and improve mobility. If you experience foot or ankle pain as a result of carrying extra weight, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact our doctors from Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Oklahoma City and Yukon, OK . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.