Items filtered by date: October 2022

Flat feet is a condition in which the entire bottoms of the feet rest completely against the floor, obscuring any natural foot arch. There are many disadvantages of having flat feet. For example, people with flat feet are susceptible to back pain and may experience a lack of stability when engaging in physical activities, like running or walking. Many people wonder if there are any potential advantages to this condition. The answer is complicated. Despite the many disadvantages, it might be the case that some incidences of flat feet could improve the absorption of shocks. If you are a swimmer, flat feet may also be very helpful because they can act as a kind of flipper. Flat feet, of course, are not entirely advantageous. Contact a podiatrist today if you have flat feet to learn more about your condition.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Forest Lane and West Kiest Boulevard Dallas, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Of the 600+ muscles in the body, 29 are associated with the feet. Ten of these muscles, known as global muscles, begin on the outside of the foot and work the foot and ankle joints. The other 19 muscles are intrinsic foot muscles and only work the foot itself, keeping the foot stable and in proper shape. Muscles in the feet need to work out and stretch as much as any other part of our bodies. Since we use our feet for everything, maintaining our health can help ensure comfort and well-being. Good intrinsic exercises for strengthening the feet include the short foot exercise, big toe lift, and toe splay. The short foot exercise involves sitting in a chair, having both feet flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart, with the toes flat, and pointing straight ahead. L all the toes up while maintaining contact on the floor with the ball of the foot. Lower the toes to the ground while engaging the muscles of the raised arch. Maintain this action for 30 seconds and repeat. The big toe lift is when you stand or sit with your feet together. Raise the big toe while the other toes remain on the ground. Toe splay can also be done sitting or standing with the feet shoulder-width apart. Spread your toes out as far as possible, without curling them or extending the toes. Hold the position for 8-10 seconds. If you want to learn more about maintaining the strength of your feet, contact a podiatrist who specializes in the feet and ankles.

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 Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor 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 doctor 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 offices located in Forest Lane and West Kiest Boulevard Dallas, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

High top sneakers were once worn primarily by basketball players to protect their ankles from getting injured. The jury is still out among experts on whether high tops are beneficial or detrimental to the athletes they were designed to protect. But now, high tops have become a fashion statement and are worn by many children who do not participate in sports. It is thought by some that wearing high tops can actually decrease the child’s development of ankle strength, flexibility and stability. On the other hand, some experts believe that wearing low top sneakers actually helps to develop ankle strength without exterior support. It is believed by some that continued wear of high tops by young people can increase the likelihood of restricted mobility in the ankle, as well as the weakening of ankle tendons, muscles, and ligaments. All this, they say, may add up to an increased chance of injury. For more information on the footwear that is most beneficial for your child, please consult with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM of Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor 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 offices located in Forest Lane and West Kiest Boulevard Dallas, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A fracture is when a bone breaks or cracks. When it comes to the ankle, three different bones can be fractured: the tibia (the larger of the two bones in the lower leg), the fibula (the thinner of the two bones in the lower leg), and the talus (the wedge-shaped bone deep inside the ankle). The most common way an ankle can break involves a sharp twist of the ankle or a direct impact to the ankle, causing a fracture to one of the ankle bones. Athletes are at a high risk for ankle fractures. Such a fracture can be particularly dangerous if a bone pokes through the skin and is exposed to the air as the open wound allows bacteria to affect the broken bone and increases risk of infection. Symptoms of a broken ankle include pain, swelling, and bruising of the ankle joint. There will often be an inability to move the ankle normally and to bear weight on it. If you think you have fractured your ankle, see a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper evaluation and treatment.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Forest Lane and West Kiest Boulevard Dallas, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.