May 2025

Selecting appropriate footwear for babies and children is important for healthy foot development and safe exploration. For babies and new walkers, barefoot time indoors encourages natural movement and muscle growth. When shoes are needed, they should be lightweight, flexible, and allow the feet to move freely. As children begin walking independently outdoors, shoes with non-slip soles and secure fastenings offer protection and stability. It is important to ensure a proper fit to avoid restricting growth or causing discomfort. For activities like climbing and hiking, sturdy shoes with good grip and ankle support help prevent injuries and enhance confidence on uneven terrain. If your child has injured his foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and provide further guidance on appropriate shoes.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Ahmad Elsamad, DPM of The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

A foot stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repetitive force or overuse rather than a single traumatic event. These injuries commonly occur in athletes or individuals who engage in activities with repetitive impact, such as running or dancing. Symptoms often include localized pain that worsens with activity, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes mild bruising. Risk factors include suddenly increasing physical activity, wearing improper footwear, low bone density, and certain medical conditions such as osteoporosis. Stress fractures frequently affect the metatarsal bones in the foot, especially during repetitive motion. If left untreated, these fractures can worsen and lead to more severe injury. If you think you have a foot stress fracture, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Ahmad Elsamad, DPM from The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . 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 offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the joint where your big toe meets your foot. It often develops slowly as the toe shifts inward and the joint pushes outward. Wearing tight shoes, foot shape, or genetics can all play a role. Over time, the area may swell, feel sore, or become red and irritated. Walking can become uncomfortable, especially in narrow or stiff shoes. Pads, wider footwear, and custom orthotics may ease pressure and help reduce pain. In more severe cases, surgery may be considered to realign the toe and remove the bump. Bunions do not go away on their own, and waiting too long can make treatment more difficult. If you notice a bump forming or feel pain near your big toe, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Ahmad Elsamad, DPM of The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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

Toe deformities are structural issues that may develop from birth or result from other factors. Common causes of toe deformities include wearing improper footwear, trauma, or joint and nerve conditions. Among the deformities are hammertoe, which involves a bend at the middle joint, and mallet toe, which affects the joint near the nail. Claw toe, where the toe curls under the foot, and overlapping toe, where one toe rests on another are other toe deformities. Curly toe is a congenital toe deformity in which one or more toes, usually the third or fourth, curl under due to tight tendons pulling them downward. Causes may include heredity, poorly fitting shoes, foot injuries, nerve damage from conditions like diabetes, or joint disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. These toe deformities can cause pain, limit mobility, and lead to complications like corns, open sores, and joint stiffness. When a toe deformity becomes rigid or painful, a podiatrist can offer medical treatment. Options include custom orthotics to reduce pressure and improve alignment or splints to support toe positioning. In severe cases, surgery may be required to straighten the toe and relieve discomfort. If you have a problematic toe deformity, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Ahmad Elsamad, DPM of The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.