Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
There are many different causes of heel pain. One potential cause of your heel pain is known as a bruised heel. This condition essentially targets the skin and fat cushioning that protects the heel bone. Bruised heels can result from trauma that happens slowly over time, such as the repeated and sustained impact on the heel from running or jumping. However, bruised heels can also come about in response to a one-time traumatic injury. The most noticeable and prominent symptom of this condition is pain at the bottom of the heel bone, also known as the calcaneus. Importantly, the pain that is felt from a bruised heel is typically not as long-lasting as that felt from plantar fasciitis. Another symptom of bruised heels is a purple or red color on the heel. This discoloration is a sign of a bruise and results from bleeding that is happening underneath the skin. There are a variety of risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing a bruised heel. For example, if you are significantly overweight or you run barefoot, then you might be more susceptible to developing a bruised heel. If you think that you may be suffering from this condition, reach out to a podiatrist who can help with treatment options.
Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Causes of Heel Pain
Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.
Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.
Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.
Why Might Heel Pain Occur?
Treatments
Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Gout is a type of arthritis that presents sudden episodes of severe pain and swelling in the joints, often in the big toe. Range of motion in the big toe may become limited. Those with gout frequently experience flare-ups at night. Gout is the result of uric acid accumulating in the blood from purines in food, which triggers a buildup of crystals in joints. Diets rich in purines can lead to gout flares. There is uric acid medicine for this condition. However, it is best to manage symptoms through following a purine-restricted diet. Foods that are high in purines include shellfish, veal, venison, liver and other organ meats, alcoholic beverages – especially beer, kidney beans, lentils, and spinach. Those with gout should limit protein consumption overall and try to include plant-based sources of protein in their diets. If you experience periodic pain in your big toe and think you might have gout, consult with a podiatrist who can help you better understand and manage this condition.
Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.
People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.
Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
There are a number of foot afflictions that can occur when a bone in the foot, no matter how small, dislocates from its proper place. Cuboid syndrome is one such condition. Cuboid syndrome occurs when the cuboid bone, located in front of the ankle, dislocates randomly or in response to some kind of injury. If you have cuboid syndrome, you might experience pain, particularly when participating in weight-bearing activities. Additionally, you might find yourself turning your feet inward when walking if you are suffering from cuboid syndrome. There are several ways in which cuboid syndrome can be treated. Commonly, the cuboid bone can be manipulated back in place by a medical professional. The medical professional might then use tape and custom orthotics to keep the cuboid bone in its proper place. Also, the effects of cuboid syndrome can be addressed with specific massages. For example, deep tissue massages that target the calf muscles can be used on patients to calm the peroneal muscle. As a result, the amount of pressure that your feet place on the cuboid bones can be reduced. If you believe that you might have cuboid syndrome, it is a good idea to reach out to a podiatrist who can help you tackle the problem.
Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.
Causes
The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:
Symptoms
A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
There are many tools at a podiatrist’s disposal to address any number of challenging foot afflictions. Podiatrists may prescribe antibiotics, recommend orthotics, or encourage a surgical procedure in extreme cases. One interesting tool that podiatrists can use is known as shockwave therapy for the feet. This new method can be used to treat plantar fasciitis, one of the most common foot conditions affecting individuals across the country. The shockwave therapy treatment consists of applying bursts of air and electromagnetic shock pulses to the lower limbs in either low or high energy increments. The purpose of this is to facilitate a kind of natural healing response in the feet. That is, the shockwave therapy is meant to encourage the formation of blood vessels in the affected areas and other healing nutrients. If you have plantar fasciitis and believe that you might be interested in addressing it through shockwave therapy, contact a podiatrist who may be able to help.
Shockwave therapy is a treatment commonly used to treat various injuries and conditions, particularly plantar fasciitis in the feet. To learn more, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.
Who Benefits from Shockwave?
Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.
Fast and Easy
The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, addressing the source of the problem and allowing treatment to last for a long time.
Treatment & Recovery Time
Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
One of the most common causes of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This involves inflammation of the band of tissue that runs from the heel to the base of the toes along the sole of the foot. Plantar fasciitis usually causes a stabbing pain in the foot, especially when first getting up in the morning. It is common to runners and people who are overweight. Some simple exercises and stretches can help to ease the pain of plantar fasciitis, and it is important to visit a podiatrist for an exam and diagnosis before embarking on any exercise regime. The standing calf stretch can help loosen the calf muscles that connect your leg to your heel. Stand facing a wall, touching it lightly with both hands. Place one foot straight back and bend the opposite knee while pressing into the wall. Change legs and repeat. A seated towel stretch can be felt in both the calf and the foot. Sit on a mat with both legs straight ahead. Wrap the towel along the ball of one foot and pull it toward you. Hold for 30 seconds and change feet. A podiatrist can recommend other exercises and therapies to ease the pain of plantar fasciitis.
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 Lovely Foot Associates, PC. 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?
How Can It Be Treated?
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 Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!
A stress fracture in the foot is a small crack or break in a bone. This type of fracture is also known as a hairline fracture. Stress fractures most often happen in weight-bearing bones among people who participate in repetitive activities that put a lot of stress on the feet. They are also due to a sudden change in activities or surfaces, or an abnormal foot structure. Those most at risk for stress fractures are women, those with low levels of vitamin D and calcium, those with osteoporosis, those taking certain medications, and those who have previously sustained foot stress fractures. Stress fractures can occur in any bone of the foot but most often happen to the second and third metatarsal bones – the long bones that connect the toes to the ankle. These are the bones that bear the most stress when pushing off the foot. A stress fracture must heal properly to prevent worse injuries from occurring. Stress fractures of the foot cause pain, which gets worse when walking or bearing weight. The pain may ease when resting and return when activity commences. Stress fractures can be prevented by warming up before participating in activities that put stress on the feet, cross-training rather than focusing on a single sport, wearing properly fitted shoes for the activity, eating a healthy diet (with enough vitamin D and calcium), and checking in with doctors about possible side effects of medicines they are taking. If you feel you have a foot stress fracture, you might see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.
How Are They Caused?
Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon. Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.
Risk Factors
Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Many people endure foot problems at some point in their lives. A foot injury may have caused the foot to become lethargic and performing specific exercises may help to get strength and movement back. This can promote accelerated tissue healing and can help to gradually return to normal activities. When starting a new exercise regime after a foot injury it is important to pay attention to different levels of pain that may exist. If the pain increases, it is advised to reduce the number of repetitions and to decrease the speed of the motion. Additionally, it can help to increase resting times between sets to give the affected foot ample time to recharge. Many patients prefer stretching exercises which can help improve range of motion. As soon as a gentle stretch is felt it is advised to hold it for approximately 20 seconds. Movement exercises can build strength and agility and they are performed in repetitions of eight, followed by a brief resting period, and then repeating. If you would like more information about the benefits exercise can have on the feet, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Exercise for Your Feet
Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.
Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual.
Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that runs down the back of your leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel. Its main job is to lift the heel so you can walk, run, and jump. When the Achilles tendon is overused, it can result in either tendonitis or tendinosis. Achilles tendonitis is especially common among athletes, laborers who spend a lot of time on their feet, and people who exercise infrequently. Symptoms may consist of pain, tenderness, stiffness, or soreness at the back of the heel. Tendonitis is an inflammation usually caused by a sudden increase in repetitive activity and normally is short-lived once you cease the activity. If ignored or neglected, however, it can become Achilles tendonosis, a far more serious condition. This may result in minor tears that degenerate the tendon and can eventually cause it to rupture. If you believe you have injured your Achilles tendon, please consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the severity of your condition and offer the appropriate treatment options.
Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
Rupture Symptoms
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
