Abigail Rappa, DPM

If you've ever been jolted awake by a sharp, painful cramp in your foot, you know how quickly a peaceful night's sleep can turn into a frustrating experience. One moment you're sleeping comfortably, and the next you're trying to stretch out a muscle that seems to have a mind of its own. Foot cramps occur when muscles contract involuntarily and fail to relax right away. While occasional cramps are common and usually harmless, recurring episodes may be your body's way of signaling an underlying...

Your Feet Change More Than You Think The average American walks approximately 600 miles each year, placing a significant amount of cumulative stress on the feet. By the age of 50, this adds up to nearly 75,000 miles—roughly the equivalent to circling the globe multiple times. As with the rest of the body, the feet undergo natural changes with age. These changes affect multiple components of the musculoskeletal system, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons, fat pads, and muscles. Over...

A toddler’s first steps are a memorable milestone for parents. Even before a child begins walking, many caregivers wonder how best to support their child’s feet. Do babies need shoes? What types of shoes are most appropriate? How can parents promote healthy development as their child becomes more mobile? Starting in infancy, children’s feet are continuously growing and changing. Footwear plays an important role in this process. Ill-fitting or inappropriate shoes can affect balance, gait,...