Items filtered by date: February 2021

Diabetic shoes can bring relief to the feet of patients suffering from diabetes. 

Stress fractures are tiny hairline fractures that are usually the result of the foot no longer being able to handle the loads and weight that are being placed on it. Issues such as overtraining or overuse, improper training, wearing improper footwear, foot deformities, and osteoporosis can all lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures are usually indicated by pain, swelling, redness, and bruising. If left untreated, they can lead to complete breaks. Patients who believe that they are suffering from a stress fracture should be under the care of a podiatrist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options include rest and immobilization, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot

Stress fractures occur in the foot when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot

An ingrown toenail is defined as the nail on the big toe growing into the surrounding skin. Parents may notice their child is limping as this condition develops. In severe cases, it can cause difficulty walking, and may be beneficial to seek immediate treatment. Ingrown toenails can cause severe pain and discomfort, and often occur due to wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely. Additionally, genetic factors may contribute to the onset of an ingrown toenail. The symptoms patients can experience can include redness, swelling, extreme tenderness, and a yellow discharge oozing from the affected area. If you notice your child has any of these symptoms, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can effectively treat ingrown toenails. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

A broken foot can happen as a result of falling or enduring a sudden injury. The healing process can begin when a proper diagnosis is performed, which generally means having an X-ray taken. This is commonly followed by wearing a protective boot or cast, and it may help existing swelling when the foot is frequently elevated. The boot or cast may aid in walking while attempting to complete daily activities. If the fracture is severe, and the bone is protruding from the skin, surgery may be necessary for proper healing. It is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist if you have broken your foot.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. It provides shock absorption by preventing the arch of the foot from completely flattening when bearing weight, and it allows us to point our toes as well. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, usually from repetitive overstretching while running, plantar fasciitis occurs. Pain is usually felt along the bottom of the foot and in the heel. Because of the long periods of standing followed by quick and sudden movements inherent in sports, baseball, football, and tennis players are often sidelined with this condition. Rest is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis, but in some severe cases surgery may be necessary. Players who opt for surgery will need 3-4 months for recovery. Athletes who are suffering from plantar fasciitis pain should be under the care of a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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