
Wearing the right shoes is essential for safe and effective fitness. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, blisters, or even injury. When selecting workout shoes, it is best to shop later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen, mimicking their size during exercise. Ensure the shoe fits both the width and length of your foot, providing enough room for toes to move comfortably. The right shoe should support your arch and cushion impact based on your activity. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot type, recommend suitable footwear, and address any underlying issues. If you have foot pain during or after your workout, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and offer you personalized guidance regarding the proper shoes to wear.
Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Getting the Right Shoe Size
There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.
- When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
- Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
- Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
- Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
- If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes
As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When children or teens have foot pain, finding the exact cause is not always easy. Sometimes the pain comes from muscles, tendons, or small injuries that are hard to see with the eye alone. In these cases, ultrasounds can be a helpful tool. It uses sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues in the foot and ankle. This allows doctors to check for inflammation, tears, or other problems without needing radiation. A problem-based approach means the ultrasound is used to look at specific areas where pain is reported, helping to pinpoint the source. This can lead to faster and more accurate treatment, especially when the pain is not clearly linked to a single injury. If a child has ongoing foot pain that does not improve, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who may recommend ultrasounds to better understand the issue.
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Causes
Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Bone Spurs
- Corns
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Ingrown Toenails
- Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
- Flat Feet
- Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
- And more
Diagnosis
To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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
Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Anterior tibial tendonitis is an overuse injury that affects a tendon that connects the tibialis anterior muscle to the front of the ankle. This muscle is key to moving your foot upward and turning it inward. This condition is caused by repetitive activities, such as running, especially on hard surfaces or with improper footwear. It can also result from sudden increases in activity or abnormal foot mechanics. Symptoms include pain and swelling along the front of the ankle, particularly when walking, running, or climbing stairs. The pain may worsen with activity and feel like a dull ache or sharp pain, making it difficult to lift the foot properly. In more severe cases, it causes tenderness or weakness in the ankle. A podiatrist can diagnose anterior tibial tendonitis through physical exams and imaging tests. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory medication, targeted exercises, and custom orthotics to address foot alignment. In rare cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be considered. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.
Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.