Items filtered by date: December 2022

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00

Foot Pain Can Be Caused for Various Reasons

Many people experience foot pain at some point in their lives and it can cause difficulty in completing daily activities. There are several types of foot pain and a variety of causes, which is why patients often seek relief. Many people endure an injury that can result in a broken toe or ankle and recovery can take up to eight weeks. Heel pain can indicate that a heel spur or plantar fasciitis has developed which can happen from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Debilitating toe pain may be caused by gout and this occurs from having excess uric levels in the blood. Additionally, women who frequently wear high heels may develop a condition known as Morton’s neuroma which affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes. The lack of adequate room in the toe area may cause this nerve to become compressed and irritated, often making it difficult to walk. Any type of foot pain is treated by a podiatrist and it is strongly suggested that you speak with this type of doctor to find the relief you are seeking. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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.

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Wednesday, 21 December 2022 00:00

Dehydration and Swollen Feet

Dehydration can cause swollen feet. It can cause constriction of blood vessels, which forces fluid into spaces between cells leading to retention, especially in lower limbs. The kidneys begin to react by retaining sodium and water and fluid builds up in surrounding tissues, leading to swelling. When one is dehydrated, it can cause water weight by retaining fluids. All of this can lead to puffiness, bloating, and discomfort. Drinking more water can help. Experts suggest consuming eight to 10 glasses of water per day. Doing this may seem counter-intuitive but when the body is not hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it has. If your legs swell for no apparent reason, and you have leg pain, difficulty breathing, and other emergent symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately. However, if you are experiencing foot pain, chances are that you are not drinking enough water. If your feet are swollen and uncomfortable and you want to learn more about how to prevent this from happening, seek the counsel of a podiatrist, who can evaluate your situation and provide recommendations.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, 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.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

  • Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
  • Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
  • Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
  • Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

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 tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.


 

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Tuesday, 20 December 2022 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Tuesday, 13 December 2022 00:00

Running and Stress Fractures

Individuals of all kinds can be susceptible to developing stress fractures, which are essentially tiny cracks in the bones. Runners are certainly no exception. These stress fractures are typically caused by repeated trauma of some kind. When a runner develops a stress fracture in their feet, they might be tempted to continue running despite having this condition. It is important to note that doing this can significantly delay the healing process. Additionally, running with a stress fracture might even lead to the development of some alternative foot injury because of an altered running gait to compensate for the pain of the stress fracture. Instead of running with the stress fracture, one might consider temporarily refraining from running and letting the feet heal. Contact a podiatrist today for specific treatment. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles 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 and ankles. 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 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.

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Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:00

Addressing Cuboid Syndrome

The cuboid bone is a somewhat irregularly shaped bone located in the midfoot area. The bone is one of the different tarsal bones in the foot, and it is located on the outside of the foot. Cuboid syndrome affects this bone, and it occurs when the bone has dislocated. Individuals suffering from cuboid syndrome might notice pain in the outside of the foot, as well as a pain that tends to be more poignant in the morning when one initially stands up. After visiting a trusted medical professional like a podiatrist, an individual might be able to address their cuboid syndrome in several different ways. For example, a medical professional might be able to relocate the bone for you. In addition, they might recommend that you apply ice to the affected area to ease any pain. Schedule your appointment with a podiatrist today if you think you might have cuboid syndrome.

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 Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor 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:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

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 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.

 

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