Choosing the right running shoes plays a major role in performance, overall foot health, and injury prevention. Proper footwear helps absorb impact, improve stability, and support natural movement with every step. Wearing the wrong shoes can increase stress on muscles, joints, and tendons, leading to pain or overuse injuries. Different types of shoes are designed for specific activities. Road running shoes are ideal for pavement and treadmills, while trail shoes offer traction and protection on uneven surfaces. Cross training shoes provide versatility for varied workouts, and specialized shoes address unique foot or gait needs. A podiatrist can assess your foot structure, running habits, and biomechanics to recommend the best shoe type and perhaps custom orthotics. If foot pain or recurring injuries are affecting your runs, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief methods and guidance tips.

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

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

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, can influence foot health in several ways because it impacts the nervous system, which controls muscle strength, balance, and sensation. Many individuals experience numbness or tingling in the feet, making it difficult to detect injuries or changes in pressure. Muscle weakness may alter walking patterns, leading to fatigue, instability, or an increased risk of falls. Some people develop spasticity, a tightness or stiffness in the muscles that can cause the foot to point downward or drag during movement. Changes in coordination may affect the way the foot lands with each step, creating strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Poor sensation and altered gait can also contribute to skin breakdown, calluses, and pressure sores, if not monitored carefully. A podiatrist can help manage these challenges by evaluating gait, recommending proper footwear or orthotics, and addressing any emerging foot problems promptly to maintain comfort and mobility. If you have MS and it is impacting your feet, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for relief and management options.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toenail fungus is a common condition caused by fungal organisms that thrive in warm, damp environments, such as shoes, locker rooms, and public showers. It often begins as a small discoloration and may look yellow, white, or brown, with nails becoming thick, brittle, crumbly, or distorted, over time. Some people notice an unpleasant odor or debris under the nail. Toenail fungus may feel uncomfortable, sensitive, or painful, especially when pressure is applied from footwear, although it can also be painful in early stages. A podiatrist can help from the start by examining the nails, confirming the diagnosis through testing when needed, and ruling out other nail disorders. Treatment options may include topical medications, professional nail care, and guidance on foot hygiene to prevent recurrence. Early treatment can improve nail appearance and comfort while limiting spread. If you have symptoms of toenail fungus, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions.

For more information about treatment, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM of Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The ankle joint is a complex structure that allows the foot to move while supporting body weight and maintaining balance. It is formed by the meeting of the lower leg bones with the foot, creating a stable yet flexible joint. Surrounding muscles and tendons help control movement and absorb shock during walking and running. Strong ligaments connect the bones and provide stability, preventing excessive motion that could lead to injury. These ligaments play a key role in protecting the ankle during daily activities and sports. When the ankle joint is injured or stressed, pain, swelling, and instability may occur. A podiatrist can help by evaluating ankle anatomy and function, diagnosing ligament or joint problems, and creating a treatment plan to restore strength and mobility. If you have sustained an ankle injury, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist 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 Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.