02/25/2026
Throughout your life, your feet are important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle! Having healthy feet will keep you from having back, hip and knee pain as you age. Having feet that help you stay active and do not hurt is possible to achieve as a person ages.
The foot is one of the first body parts to grow to full size. This usually happens in early puberty. During this time, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons. Stretching exercises can lower your child’s risk for injuries during the growth spurt. Talk with your doctor for more advice. Quality shoes with firm support and a shock-absorbent sole will help, too. Your child should avoid excessive running on hard surfaces.
Adults develop bony foot deformities gradually. Bunions (bumps caused by bending outward of the big toes or little toes), and hammer toes (bending of the toes upward) are common. Muscles and tendons in the toes tighten and become shorter, keeping the toes in bent positions and causing foot pain. Shoes that are too short, too narrow or tight, high-heeled, or not enough foot leveling support are the most common causes.
Advice for a lifetime of healthy feet include: Avoid tight-fitting shoes. Choose shoes with good supports and a wide front (toe box). Consider purchasing over the counter or custom orthotic inserts, which stabilize the foot; both are available in the Faulkton Area. Gentle stretching exercises of your feet and tendons can be helpful; consult with Physical Therapist for advice. Your regular doctor can perform xrays and help you manage fasciitis, tendonitis, corns, ulcers, warts, or skin sores on your feet. Injections into your feet and surgical interventions from an Orthopedist. can be used for treating advanced deformities or persistent pain.
