Wondering why your podiatrist needs to know your complete medical history if they’re only treating your feet? Many serious conditions (like diabetes, poor circulation, and anemia) have a tendency to impact the feet first. By getting a clear picture of any other symptoms you’ve been having, your podiatrist can diagnose your problem accurately.
An estimated 2 million Americans visit the doctor each year with an ankle fracture or some type of ankle pain, according to the New York Times.
Custom orthotics are able to treat a wide range of foot issues. Orthotics are specially designed for the gentle re-positioning of the heels, ankles, arches, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones in the feet so as to correct individual foot problems.
Are you suffering from “turnip” toe? If you have a swollen and inflamed bunion, you are. According to the National Institutes of Health, the word bunion is derived from the Latin, "napus," which means "turnip."
Hammertoe is a condition in which the toe is permanently bent at the uppermost joint. It can happen to any of the three middle toes on the foot. The condition, which occurs more frequently in women, can be treated both non-surgically and with surgery.
Love your wedges? These shoes were invented out of necessity in the 1940s. Sanctions meant Italian designers could not import steel. Ferragamo used cork instead.
Did you know that foot and ankle surgeons can practice both general medicine and specialized foot care? This allows them to diagnose and treat foot, ankle, and lower leg problems as well as to perform operations.
Are you aware that most people have one foot that is slightly larger than the other? When you try on shoes, walk around the store with both shoes on. If one of your feet hurt, don’t buy the shoes.
Are you the type of person who was always taught to push through the pain? When it comes to foot pain and other issues, it’s often better to stay off it as much as possible and schedule your appointment with us as soon as possible.
Did you know that over 75 percent of all Americans will experience some type of foot problem at some point in their lives? This can be anything from chronic toe cramps to heel pain (which, interestingly, is the most common of all foot ailments).
A bunion is a tender and painful enlargement at the base of the big toe caused by misalignment of the joint. Treatment for this can include anything from padding or taping the area to wearing prescription orthotics and even surgery.
Sore feet are often difficult to diagnose. There are a variety of ills that can befall those ol’ dogs- from pressure fractures to fallen arches. A podiatrist can help you figure out what’s behind your pain and offer some options to help.
While gaining in popularity, did you know that barefoot running can potentially destroy your feet? This is because the unprotected feet are subject to shock damage and other injury risks.
It’s important to remember that the foot wasn’t designed to remain in unnatural positions within high heels for the bulk of the day. Since continued high heel use can damage your foot, it’s wise to seek podiatric treatment when you start experiencing more pain than fatigue at the end of a day in your shoes.
Is surgery ever necessary for an Achilles injury short of a rupture? In some cases, the damage to the tendon can be too significant for orthotics, night splints and physical therapy to restore the tendon to its original condition. When this happens, surgery becomes the best option.
Smelly feet got you down? You could have athlete’s foot. Despite its name, this common foot fungus can affect anyone. Thankfully, athlete’s foot is relatively easy to treat and is preventable.
If you notice a suspicious growth on your foot or ankle, it’s best to have it looked at by a professional. We can correctly identify the growth and provide you with treatment options, if necessary.
What makes bunions so painful? The condition is characterized by a combination of joint and bone misalignment that can be painful on its own. When the surrounding tissues are also tender and inflamed, the area becomes extremely sensitive to even light pressure.
Were you aware that depending on the manufacturer, you might actually wear a completely different size of shoe? Always buy shoes that feel the best on your feet, and purchase them later in the day, when feet tend to be at their largest.
Plantar warts are a fairly common ailment that’s treated by a podiatrist. Plantar warts are caused by a virus that enters the sensitive skin of the foot through a cut or break in the skin, usually by walking barefoot.
We want everyone to have healthy and happy feet. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and verify that we accept your insurance carrier.
If your podiatrist determines you have a heel spur, the initial treatment is likely to include stretching, more comfortable shoes or inserts for your shoes, along with the possibility of physical therapy.
Keep blisters at bay by wearing shoes that fit properly, letting your feet rest between long periods of walking or running, and wearing friction-reducing socks. You can also cover blister-prone areas with paper tape.
Relief. Sometimes it’s as simple as soaking your feet in cool water. When it seems like there’s more going on, a professional assessment can help you decide what needs to be done and the best option is a podiatrist, who has the training to know everything about our feet.
One common issue that a foot and ankle surgeon can treat is a flattened arch, also known as a flat foot. In some cases, this problem can indicate tendon dysfunction, which means the bones of the foot are not aligned properly.
Shin splints are almost exclusively seen in runners or athletes, particularly those with flat feet or who train on hard surfaces. The problem is that the foot mechanics place pressure on shinbone. Professional athletes are common victims of shin splints.
Have you ever experienced significant pain in your heels when you get up in the morning? That is a symptom of plantar fascitis. This disorder stems from the inflammation of the tissue that forms the foot arch.
A podiatrist is actually one doctor that you may not consider as an essential, but if you have diabetes, they can work in concert with your family doctor to help ensure that you don’t end up losing a foot to that disease.
The foot is an amazing limb that has 26 important bones. From the larger tibia bone that connects to the shin, all the way to the small phalanges (the bones that make up the toes).
Did you know that more people are barefoot in the world than those who wear shoes? Going barefoot has many benefits, like strengthening the bones and tendons.
Did you know that your shoe size fluctuates? Within the course of a day, your foot usually expands. That's why it's best to do your shoe shopping in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.
The anatomy of a human foot is complex, as it needs to provide a sturdy foundation for the rest of a body. Each foot has 26 bones and 33 joints. The total 52 bones makes up more than 25 percent of the 206 bones in an adult human.
Do you inspect your feet on a regular basis? You should consistently check your feet to ensure there have not been any changes in color, texture, or overall appearance, including under your toenails.
Want to find the perfect occupational or athletic footwear? See a podiatrist. He or she can assess your foot structure and give you expert medical advice on what to look for in the right footwear and/or whether you need prescription orthotics.
Achilles tendinitis is a common occurrence in athletes who overtrain or who don’t take the time to warm up properly. This condition causes irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone, and needs to be looked at and treated.
It’s all too common for people to wait too long to see a podiatrist because they aren’t sure if their foot pain is severe enough to warrant a visit. This means many problems go untreated for so long that they become much more complicated. If you’re experiencing chronic foot pain, you should see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Metatarsalgia is a condition of the feet which is characterized by painful inflammation in the ball of the foot. To reduce risks for this condition, avoid wearing shoes with a narrow toe box and high heels that place excessive pressure on the ball of the foot.
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are: pain on the bottom of the heel, pain in the arch of the foot, pain that is usually worse in the morning and pain that increases over a period of months.
Proper footwear is an important part of an overall treatment program for people with diabetes, even at the earliest stages of the disease. If there is any evidence of neuropathy, wearing the right footwear is crucial.
Orthotics and shoe inserts provide relief from pressure on certain areas of the feet and help absorb shock. Talk to your podiatrist about corrective shoe wear, and find out which kind can best help to relieve your foot pain.
Hammertoe often leads to corns that can be treated to relieve pain. However, surgery is the only permanent solution to hammertoe.
It is important not to ignore bunions. Not only are they painful, but they can lead to other foot conditions such as corns and hammertoe. Unless your situation is severe, your podiatrist is likely to recommend different shoes, gel inserts or orthotic inserts to provide more cushion and support to keep the big toe in the proper position.
What is a bunion? A bunion is a bony swelling at the base of the big toe. A bunion forms when the big toe joint has been pushed out of alignment, and it can be caused by overcrowding, an inherited structural defect or conditions like arthritis.
A podiatrist can diagnose and provide treatment for a variety of foot related ailments such as bunions, nail fungus, ankle, foot fractures and more. If you think you have a problem, it’s always a good idea to get it checked out.
Treating foot ailments is not always a simple process- especially if the diagnosis means considerable periods of time without being able to walk. But a podiatrist can help you find just the right treatment, with the least possible headaches for you.
Why type of running shoe is best for runners with low arches? Highly supportive shoes that have been designed with stability and motion control features. These shoes will help to correct for overpronation which can lead to foot injuries.
Do you have a stabbing or burning pain in your heel, particularly when you wake up or after periods of walking or other physical activity? This could be plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot.
While flat feet may not seem like a big deal initially, they can produce some nasty results, such as bunions, hammer toes, and calluses.
What’s the difference between a corn and callus? Calluses are larger and are often on the bottom of your feet or the heel or a foot. Corns usually have a hard center, with skin that is aggravated or inflamed surrounding it. Corns are always painful while calluses may or may not be.
It’s said that the average person will walk the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime. That’s a lot of time on your feet! Make sure you are wearing proper shoes and always maintaining good foot health.
Ingrown toenails are common toe ailments and occur when the corners or sides of toenails dig into the sides of the toes. The result can be painful and can cause irritation and swelling.
Walking barefoot in locker rooms is more than gross, it’s a bad idea that can lead to viruses, warts and fungal diseases. Thankfully, you can avoid the risk by wearing shower shoes, like flip flops, in locker rooms.
Ingrown toenails are common toe ailments and occur when the corners or sides of toenails dig into the sides of the toes. The result can be painful and can cause irritation and swelling.
While special running shoes have been designed for runners with high and low arches, what type of running shoe is best for runners with normal arches? Running shoes that offer equal stability and cushioning features. These shoes will absorb shock and help to reduce risks for running injuries.
Did you know that the footwear you choose can actually damage your feet? If you’ve been experiencing an increase in pain lately, let’s talk about changes you can make to correct it.
Walking barefoot in locker rooms is more than gross, it’s a bad idea that can lead to viruses, warts and fungal diseases. Thankfully, you can avoid the risk by wearing shower shoes, like flip flops, in locker rooms.
Ingrown toenails are common toe ailments and occur when the corners or sides of toenails dig into the sides of the toes. The result can be painful and can cause irritation and swelling.
We recognize that not everyone has the luxury of wearing shoes to work that are comfortable and good for their feet. Let’s talk about how we may be able to help you maintain the health of your feet without breaking dress code.
While special running shoes have been designed for runners with high and low arches, what type of running shoe is best for runners with normal arches? Running shoes that offer equal stability and cushioning features. These shoes will absorb shock and help to reduce risks for running injuries.
Did you know that the footwear you choose can actually damage your feet? If you’ve been experiencing an increase in pain lately, let’s talk about changes you can make to correct it.
Walking barefoot in locker rooms is more than gross, it’s a bad idea that can lead to viruses, warts and fungal diseases. Thankfully, you can avoid the risk by wearing shower shoes, like flip flops, in locker rooms.
Ingrown toenails are common toe ailments and occur when the corners or sides of toenails dig into the sides of the toes. The result can be painful and can cause irritation and swelling.
