Items filtered by date: September 2022

There are twenty six bones in the foot, and the heel bone is considered to be the largest one. Common causes of heel pain are overuse, and wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. These reasons can lead to painful conditions that can include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, reactive arthritis, or heel spurs. Plantar fasciitis is an ailment that can occur when the tissue that runs along the sole of the foot becomes inflamed, which is known as the plantar fascia. It may be treated by using anti-inflammatory medications, or relief may possibly come from wearing custom-made orthotics. The Achilles tendon is found on the calf, and it connects the heel to the calf muscles. An Achilles tendon injury can lead to heel pain, and it can cause difficulty in walking. There are several types of arthritis, and reactive arthritis is triggered by an infection. It can appear in the joints of the body after the infection has been treated. Patients who develop a heel spur often confuse it with plantar fasciitis. The symptoms are similar, despite the fact that they are two different conditions. A bony growth on the heel is defined as a heel spur, and often needs medical treatment for proper healing. If you have any type of heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause of your heel pain is, and offer correct treatment solutions. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Philip Hahn, DPM of Advanced Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor 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?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

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

Baby’s feet are generally adorable, and you may yearn to touch them. They are soft and pliable as a result of the fatty tissue they are composed of. This will gradually convert into bone as the growing process occurs. Research has shown that babies are born with a stepping reflex, and this can be seen while they are held in a standing position as they move their legs as if they are walking. This will eventually disappear, and crawling will begin first, then walking will start at approximately one year of age. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch will be fully developed as they approach their teenage years. There are parents who choose to trim their baby's nails after they have had a bath, when the nails are the softest. An interesting fact is that baby’s feet will reach half of their adult foot size before they are one year old. Additionally, it is beneficial that the first shoes are made with a flexible sole, and padded ankle. This may be helpful in providing the necessary support as the first steps are taken. Please consult with a podiatrist if you would like to know more about what to expect as your child’s feet grow.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Philip Hahn, DPM of Advanced Foot & Ankle 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 office located in Texarkana, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot drop is a symptom of another condition, generally related to some form of nerve injury. It becomes apparent when a patient is unable to lift the foot enough to clear the floor or ground while walking. The foot then drags along behind, causing a type of shuffling gait. Someone with foot drop may raise the knee higher with each step, which looks like marching. Further, the foot often slaps the ground when it is lowered, as the patient is unable to control the movement. Among the many conditions that result in foot drop are a peroneal nerve injury, an ankle injury, muscular dystrophy, a stroke, or diabetes. Even something as simple as crossing the legs while sitting can constrict the peroneal nerve and cause numbness and foot drop. A podiatrist can conduct a complete examination to determine the cause of foot drop and explore the range of treatment options available to you. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Philip Hahn, DPM from Advanced Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Texarkana, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are several reasons why you may experience soreness in your ankles after a cardio workout. For instance, your footwear may not fit properly. When purchasing exercise footwear, it is wise to shop after a workout or at the end of the day to ensure a comfortable fit after your feet have expanded from heat or exercise. It is also important to try on shoes with the same socks you’ll wear while exercising. Check to make sure that your toes have room to move around and that your heel does not slip out while you are walking. If footwear is not the culprit, it may be Achilles tendinitis. This large tendon connects your heel with your calf muscles and can sometimes suffer from overuse injuries due to high-intensity cardio exercise. Pain from Achilles tendinitis can be felt at the back of the heel and ankle. Or, you may have a compressed posterior tibial nerve that passes through the tarsal tunnel, resulting in tarsal tunnel syndrome. This condition may develop after a sprained ankle, or if you excessively roll your feet inward when you walk or run, known as overpronation. Check with your podiatrist who can determine the cause of your ankle pain after a cardio workout and treat it accordingly.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Philip Hahn, DPM from Advanced Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Texarkana, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.