Items filtered by date: January 2023

The development of a child’s feet is often overlooked when speaking about how the body progresses. The feet are the foundation of the body and carry its weight throughout the day. The feet are responsible for motor movements that include walking, running, and standing, and the foot bones will strengthen under stress. This can happen in the earlier stages when the baby pushes their feet against a car seat or similar object, and the bones will fully develop at approximately 18 years of age. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch will begin to form at two years old. There are 14 bones in the toes, and they play a crucial role in maintaining balance and stability. Additionally, the toes help with pushing off while walking, running, or jumping. Research has shown that by massaging your child's feet, an improved foot-eye coordination may occur, in addition to walking on varied surfaces. If you would like more information about the stages of development for your child's feet, please consult with a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, 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.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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.

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve-related condition that interferes with messages sent by the brain to the extremities. The result is that the feet do not receive the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients. The most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the feet are a sharp burning pain, numbness, and tingling. This condition is most common in diabetics and people experiencing kidney disease. Mononeuropathy affects a single nerve, while polyneuropathy affects more than one peripheral nerve. Diabetic neuropathy, which is the most common type, is caused by damage to the nerves as the result of high glucose levels over an extended period. Being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, and smoking are among the main contributors. A dangerous side effect of peripheral neuropathy is delayed healing of wounds, which can lead to infection and the formation of ulcers. A number of tests are available to detect the presence of peripheral neuropathy. If you believe you may have peripheral neuropathy in your feet or toes, please consult a podiatrist who is trained to deal with this condition.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, 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 for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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.

Most people are born with flat feet, and the arch generally starts to form by the age of six. The late teenage years is typically when the arch is completely developed, but may not happen in many adults. This may come from  having a genetic disposition, or from an abnormal foot structure. Obesity may contribute to adults having flat feet, and it may be prevalent among pregnant women. Additionally, enduring a sports injury may lead to flat feet, and it can be natural among the elderly population. It is easy to notice flat feet, and is obvious while standing on the floor as the foot lies completely flat. The area where the arch would normally be can be strengthened by performing specific stretches and exercises. It may also be beneficial to wear shoes that have extra cushioning and support, and losing weight may help, if applicable. If you have flat feet, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this 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.

A common reason people may break their toe is from stubbing it into a wall or piece of furniture. This can cause the toe to immediately become bruised, swollen, and extremely painful. Dropping a heavy object on the toe may cause it to become fractured, and medical attention is often sought for relief. If the break is severe, a bone may protrude from the skin, often causing the toe to appear deformed. One of the first things to do if a broken toe has happened is to refrain from putting weight on it. This is done by frequently elevating the affected foot and choosing effective treatment methods. Mildly broken toes may benefit from using the buddy-taping method. This is done by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it, which is often adequate in providing the necessary support as it heals. Severely fractured toes may require a cast or a protective boot to be worn, and a podiatrist can determine which treatment method is best for you.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM from Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly 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 and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Most running injuries are caused by overuse, overtraining, improper footwear, and problems with biomechanics. Overtraining can be described as adding speed or distance too quickly, which can lead to overuse injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis. Experts recommend adding no more than 10 percent a week to the schedule. Another source of running injuries is wearing running shoes that either do not fit properly or have worn out. The wrong type of shoe for your foot can affect the gait, which can lead to injury. Also, shoes that are worn down or lack proper cushioning can cause pain in the feet, such as plantar fasciitis. Replacing shoes every 350-500 miles is recommended, and alternating pairs is thought to be beneficial. The way you run can also put you at risk. Striking with the heel first can cause shin splints and joint pain. Awareness of foot placement and body alignment are also important factors to be considered. Even the way you tilt your head can affect your muscles and breathing. For more information on avoiding running injuries, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist for guidance.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Gary J. Kaiserman, DPM of Achilles Footcare Center. Our doctor 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 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.