July 2021

Many people endure foot and ankle injuries, pain, biomechanical problems, deformities, infections, and damage from systemic conditions that affect the lower limbs, but are hesitant to talk to their primary care doctors about it, thinking that an aching heel or a bunion has no bearing to their overall health. This is patently untrue. The feet are the foundation of the body, supporting its weight and carrying you throughout your daily life. If you have any foot or ankle problems, you should not suffer in silence. Instead, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists who diagnose, treat, and assist patients in managing a huge variety of foot and ankle conditions. These include fractures, sprains, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic neuropathy and foot ulcers, ingrown toenails, and much more. If you have a foot problem bothering you, consult with a podiatrist today.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to 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 a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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.

Heel pain is a common ailment among people who enjoy running. It may indicate a condition that is known as plantar fasciitis, which affects the heel and the arch of the foot. It occurs as a result of an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a portion of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. It is found on the bottom of the foot, and can cause severe pain and discomfort when it is inflamed. People who frequently participate in running and jumping activities may be prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Mild relief may be found when the affected foot is rested and elevated, and the activity that caused the condition is temporarily stopped. There are specific stretches that can be performed which may help to accelerate the healing process. If you have any type of heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat 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?

• 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 Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The big toe is most commonly affected when an ingrown toenail develops. An ingrown toenail is defined as the nail growing into the skin instead of over it. This can develop for several reasons including a recent toe injury, wearing shoes that do not fit properly, or from trimming the toenails incorrectly. A common symptom of this condition is pain in the big toe and surrounding areas, followed by redness and swelling. Mild relief may be found when the affected toe is soaked in warm water, and this can make it easier to gently pull the skin away from the toenail. It is also beneficial to wear shoes that have ample room for the toes to move freely in, in addition to refraining from putting pressure on the ingrown toenail. If you have symptoms of an ingrown toenail it is strongly suggested that you meet with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.

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 Johnstown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

As a runner, taking good care of your feet can help you perform at peak levels while reducing your risks of injury. First and foremost, choose the right running shoes. Get fitted by a professional, and take into consideration your style of running, fitness goals, and the type of terrain you’ll be running on. Get your feet used to new shoes by wearing them around the house first. Wear moisture-wicking socks to keep feet dry and to avoid athlete’s foot and blisters—which can also be prevented by applying petroleum jelly or body glide on areas of friction. Reduce swelling and help your feet and muscles recover by icing and massaging your feet. Keep your toenails trimmed at the right length and straight across to avoid bruised or ingrown toenails. Do strengthening exercises to build up muscles in your feet. For more tips on avoiding running injuries, strengthening foot muscles, and choosing the right shoe for your feet, consult with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Lovely Foot Associates, PC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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.

Your baby’s early foot development is important to their future health. You can help put them on the path to healthy feet as an adult with proper care now. Check their feet regularly for anything abnormal. To avoid ingrown toenails, trim toenails straight across—not rounded or too close to the skin. Give your toddler’s toes enough space to move and grow by keeping socks, footed pajamas and booties roomy. Let your baby go barefoot (supervised) during the day to exercise and strengthen their foot and toe muscles. Later, as they are learning to walk, being barefoot will help them grip the floor and figure out balance. Their first pair of shoes for outside walking should be flexible, lightweight, and fitted by a professional. If you notice anything unusual about your child’s feet, or are concerned about their development, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, 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.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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.