Items filtered by date: February 2025

Wearing the wrong occupational footwear can lead to serious foot problems, including the risk of developing foot wounds. Ill-fitting shoes can create excessive pressure and friction, which can in turn cause painful calluses and blisters. When left untreated, these minor injuries can progress into open wounds, increasing the risk of infection. Tight footwear or poorly designed toe boxes may damage the nails, leading to bruising, thickening, or fungal infections that make the surrounding skin more vulnerable to injury. Long hours on hard surfaces in unsupportive shoes can result in plantar fasciitis, while improper cushioning and poor arch support contribute to chronic foot and ankle pain. Over time, poor circulation, especially in individuals with diabetes, can lead to ulcers and slow-healing wounds. Workers should ensure they wear well-fitted, supportive shoes to prevent foot injuries. If wounds or persistent pain develop, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a proper evaluation and more appropriate footwear recommendations.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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 heel spur is a bony growth that develops on the underside of the heel bone, typically caused by repetitive stress or pressure. This condition is often associated with plantar fasciitis, where inflammation occurs in the thick band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes. Heel spurs are usually the result of constant stress on the feet, which can occur from activities such as running, walking, or standing for long periods. The most common symptoms of heel spurs include sharp pain at the heel, especially in the morning or after periods of rest. Swelling and tenderness may also accompany the condition. Over time, the pain may subside but can reoccur during physical activities. Treatment options include rest, stretches, and in some cases, orthotics or surgery if conservative measures do not provide relief. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can do an examination and provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Dothan, AL . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Ankle pain can stem from several conditions, often involving injury or inflammation. Sprains and fractures are frequent sources of ankle pain, occurring when the ligaments are overstretched or bones are broken. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and restricted movement in varying degrees. Another potential cause of ankle pain is Achilles tendinitis, where the tendon connecting the calf to the heel becomes inflamed. This results in stiffness and discomfort, especially in the morning. Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the ankle, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness due to cartilage damage or autoimmune inflammation. Gout, caused by uric acid crystal buildup, and psoriatic arthritis, often linked with psoriasis, may lead to swelling and severe discomfort in the ankle and toes. Each condition requires a specific approach to management, and a podiatrist can evaluate the underlying cause and recommend effective treatments, which may include braces, custom orthotics, medication, or surgery. If you are experiencing ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. 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 tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• 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 office located in Dothan, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe is a condition where one or more of the smaller toes develop an abnormal bend at the middle joint, often due to muscle imbalance. Wearing tight footwear and high heels are common causes of hammertoes, as they force the toes into unnatural positions, which can shorten tendons over time. Women are more frequently susceptible to hammertoe formation, largely due to footwear choices, but anyone with a history of diabetes, arthritis, or prior foot injuries is also at greater risk. Symptoms of hammertoe include the formation of calluses, pain during movement, and impaired balance or mobility. A podiatrist can diagnose hammertoe by evaluating the flexibility of the affected toe joint and determining whether custom orthotics or footwear modifications may relieve discomfort. For fixed joints or persistent pain, surgery might be needed to realign the toe. If you have problems with a hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Health Center. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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