Issues with your feet can affect anyone, but women have specific sets of issues that they need to attend to. Now is a good time to go over two of the most common problems that affect women’s foot health and what you can do about them -- high heels and...
September is Pain Awareness Month. This is a good time to try and understand some of the underlying causes of certain pains so we can help alleviate some of the discomforts they cause. Here are some of the most common types of foot pain, what they mean, and what you...
September is Healthy Aging Month when nationwide we dedicate ourselves to empowering older adults. As we age our feet, just like the rest of our body, can go through various changes. Here are some important things to know about how aging can affect your feet. YOUR AGING FEET Your feet...
The summer is finally coming to an end. Soon the cool weather will be here as Fall officially starts on September 22nd. That’s also the date we celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Foot-related health issues may increase the risk of falls. Follow these tips to maximize your chances of preventing...
Women’s foot health is often a neglected topic. More women entering the workplace can also mean more time spent on their feet. It’s important to take proper precautions to reduce the amount of strain women’s feet suffer on a typical day. The following are some specific problems women’s feet suffer...
In August we celebrate National I Love My Feet Day. It’s a time to take a moment and appreciate how valuable our feet are. After all, without our feet, we couldn’t walk, run, skip, dance, play sports, hike, or do any number of activities we tend to take for granted....
August is a time when summer is in full swing. People are hitting the beach, the pool, or just hanging outside enjoying themselves. August is also Summer Sun Safety Month. Your feet can be just as affected as any other part of your body by the sun. As such, it’s...
Charles Darwin is famous for penning one of the most influential scientific books ever written. “The Origin of Species” set forth his theory of evolution based on natural selection. But did you know Darwin struggled with another problem? That’s right - smelly feet! In a letter written to a friend...
Summer is a great time for family fun. Kids love to get out and explore the woods, make sandcastles at the beach, or hit the pool with their friends. With all this activity comes extra stress and danger to your child’s feet. Don’t worry though, follow these simple tips and...
The warm weather is here and people are getting outside to enjoy everything the summer has to offer. Hiking, going to the beach, hitting the pool, playing sports and many other outdoor activities are great fun, but they also come with certain risks. Summertime injuries are very common. Here’s what...
The sun is out, the weather is warm, and adventure beckons. Now is the perfect time to go for that hike in the woods, or take a trip to the beach, or even hit the pool. Before you do though, check out these tips to keep your feet happy and...
July is UV Safety Awareness Month. With summer here the great outdoors are beckoning. People are taking advantage of all that summer has to offer. However, sun damage can be a concern. Many forget that your feet are just as vulnerable as other parts of your body. Here’s what you...
Things are heating up out there! Summer is in full force with some areas experiencing record temperatures. People are engaging in more physical activities too. Hiking, going to the pool, playing sports, and other summer pursuits are great fun, but they can also cause your feet to sweat. Here are...
The cold weather is gone and summer is finally here. That means people are getting outside to enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Doctors always recommend various exercises and stretches to keep your limbs fresh and limber, but this can equally apply to your feet as well. Let’s take a...
Seventy-five percent of Americans will experience some type of foot disorder at some point in their lives. As we age, all the wear and tear our feet suffer over the years can start to take its toll. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make sure your golden...
Summer is a time of warm weather and blue skies. People are getting outside to enjoy sports, hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities. These are all great fun but can also potentially lead to damage, especially to your feet. June is National Safety Month, so let’s look at some helpful...
June is Men’s Health Month and now that the warm weather is here men are getting outside to enjoy all the activities summer has to offer. That means a lot of wear and tear on your feet. Here are 3 tips to make sure your feet stay healthy and strong...
The summer is finally here and it’s time to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Unfortunately, having hammertoes can put a damper on your outdoor plans. It doesn't have to though! Check out these quick tips to make sure your summer stays fun. WHAT ARE HAMMERTOES? A hammertoe is...
Now that the warm weather is here people are beginning to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, if you have a bunion, simple activities like running, hiking, or just going for a stroll can cause great discomfort. Make sure you're educated on all the available information to treat this painful condition. A...
You're out in the summer air, having fun, and all of a sudden you notice a bit of numbness in your feet. Or maybe it feels like you're wearing a wet sock but when you check it’s not wet at all. Has this ever happened to you? If so, you...
May is the month we celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month to bring attention to this serious condition that affects more than 50 million Americans today. CAN CHILDREN BE AFFECTED BY ARTHRITIS? Yes! Children can be affected by arthritis just like adults. Although the causes are numerous, oftentimes arthritis in children is...
May is designated as National Arthritis Awareness Month, an event that helps spread awareness about arthritis facts, symptoms, and treatment. Here are some facts you need to know about arthritis: • More than 1 in 4 adults with arthritis experience severe joint pain. • In the United States 23% of all adults...
Each year we recognize May as National Arthritis Awareness Month. This condition affects 350 million people worldwide and is a serious issue for many. Arthritis can damage the joints and cause both ankles and feet to stiffen up. When this happens, long-lasting and serious damage can occur to the joints...
With spring here, folks are beginning to get outside and engage in outdoor activities. Custom orthotic shoe inserts are a great way to protect your foot health. Unlike over-the-counter (OTC) inserts (also called prefabricated insoles) these are molded to your exact foot shape. In addition to comfort, they can help...
Hammertoes are thought to be caused by an imbalance between the tiny tendons that normally hold the toe in the proper position. Since toe deformities are rare in cultures that shun shoe wearing, the connection between tight-fitting footwear and hammertoes cannot be denied. Avoiding high-heeled shoes that push your toes...
Custom orthotic shoe inserts are individually made to fit your precise foot shape to correct many foot and ankle problems and help improve athletic performance. The optimal distribution of weight and pressure is imperative for the correct functioning of your feet and ankles. Fixing poor gait mechanics also properly aligns...
The condition of your toenails is something everyone needs to pay more attention to. Bacterial and fungal infections can cause color, texture, and odor changes to toenails. If you notice light or dark stripes, it may be a sign of nutritional problems or systemic health issues like diabetes or peripheral...
A stress fracture to a bone in the foot or ankle can be very difficult to locate and treat properly. The pain and discomfort may be intermittent and may only occur during certain specific movements, which your foot doctor can properly determine with a physical exam. X-ray and MRI tests...
Standing on your feet all day for work and participating in sports and exercise programs puts a lot of pressure on your arches. The stretched arch often develops tiny tears in a condition called plantar fasciitis. Oddly enough, the problems caused by plantar fasciitis are often first noticed as severe,...
A benign growth called a neuroma can form around a nerve in various locations of your body. When it forms between the middle toes it is referred to as a Morton’s neuroma and is frequently described as feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe. At first, the growth...
Tripping over a curb or rolling your foot over while playing sports are just two of the many ways you can suffer a severe ankle sprain injury. And since your ankle joint is held together by ligaments and tendons that are susceptible to stretching and even breaking, a seemingly minor...
February is American Heart Month, and did you know that swelling in your feet and ankles could be a sign of heart disease? In fact, many symptoms of systemic diseases often show up in your feet first, so be sure to have regular visits with your foot doctor for the...
While having pain and swelling on the top of your foot may not be as common as some other foot and ankle injuries, there are many conditions that can directly or indirectly cause pain and discomfort on the top of the foot making everyday activities difficult or impossible. Top of...
While many developing kid’s foot issues will often correct themselves over time, you should still have your kid’s feet checked regularly by your foot doctor to make sure things are developing normally. Pay careful attention to the way your children are moving since they are often unable to properly verbalize...
Experiencing numbness and tingling in your feet and ankles can cause everyday activities like standing, exercising, and walking to lead to falls and debilitating foot and ankle injuries. Not being able to feel your feet is a common complication of diabetes that can also cause infections to worsen. If you...
The joints of the ankles are composed of many components including bones, tendons, and other tissues that all come together to create the ability to move your foot, stand, walk, work, and exercise. Ankle pain and damage can be cumulative, especially when previous injuries like sprains are not properly treated....
Capsulitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the ball of the foot in an area encapsulated by bones, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. It is caused by stress and pressure from injury or disease that radiates pain and discomfort. Other conditions such as neuromas, have similar symptoms but are...
A bunion is a deformity that causes the big toe to push into the other toes. While the actual cause of bunions is under debate, there is a hereditary component and an environmental one. This means that the tendency to develop toe bending issues is already there and by adding...
A great way to improve your overall health is by paying attention to any problems you may be developing with your feet and ankles. Certain diseases like diabetes often exhibit peripheral symptoms like numbness and tingling in the feet and ankles first. Also, making sure you have the right shoes...
Fungal toenail infections often proceed rather slowly and you may not even realize there's a problem until some of the more noticeable symptoms present themselves. Detecting a fungal toenail infection early before it becomes entrenched in the nail bed will make treatment much easier and effective. Once an infection has...
Ankle sprains are a common injury that can happen when you aren’t paying attention to your footfalls. Just crossing the street while looking at your phone can lead to tripping and falling over a curb with a painful twisted ankle to show for it! Properly treating even seemingly minor ankle...
The more pronounced symptoms of an ingrown toenail often include severe pain, redness, swelling, and oozing at the edge of the toenail due to a bacterial or fungal infection. In fact, ingrown toenails often precede a case of fungal toenails so all the more reason to try and prevent ingrown...
A plantar fibroma is a small growth characterized by a thickening in the fibrous arch tissue on the bottom of your foot known as the plantar fascia. As the condition worsens, additional nodules may appear on the fibrous filaments in your arch and can cause your toes to stiffen and...
Conditions and diseases that can cause pain in the big toe range from injuries like a toe fracture to structural anomalies like bunions, to systemic diseases like arthritis. Since the diagnosis and treatments can vary considerably, be sure to see your foot doctor to receive the proper care. Some of...
In recognition of November as American Diabetes Month, we are raising awareness of this potentially terrible disease in the hopes of catching the condition early when it is more easily treated. One of the preliminary indications that you may be developing diabetes is a condition called peripheral neuropathy which is...
The four small toes can all succumb to this progressive deformity that causes the toes to bend at the tips or mid joints into the shape of a hammer. Hammertoes tend to develop slowly but will only get worse over time without treatment. Wearers of high-heeled and other types of...
Your feet are amazing examples of natural engineering, but many people tend to take the health and proper functioning of their feet for granted until an injury or disease causes severe pain and discomfort. Here are some interesting and surprising facts about your feet. You can help prevent and treat...
Children’s bones, ligaments, tendons, and other components of the feet and ankles are undergoing an array of changes as they develop. Some of these changes, like Sever’s disease or Osgood-Schlatter disease will correct over time as varying growth rates stabilize. The best way to treat and prevent childhood foot and...
A painful plantar wart can remain hidden on the bottom of the foot where it grows in the plantar fascia (the wide band of tissue that spans the bottom of your foot, helping to form your arch). Often the only signs are the pain when weight is applied to the...
Changes to the color and texture of your toenails can have a wide variety of causes ranging from complications of diabetes to microbial incursions like a fungal toenail infection. Since systemic problems like peripheral artery disease and thyroid conditions can show signs in your feet first, see your foot doctor...
Feeling the tingling and numbing sensation of a nerve disorder in your feet can not only be irritating, but it can also cause balance and stability problems that can lead to damaging falls. Systemic diseases like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes can cause nerve damage as can injuries and...
A neuroma is a growth of tissue around or near a nerve that inhibits proper nerve function leading to numbness, tingling, and pain. The ball of the foot is a frequent location of debilitating neuromas. The pain and tingling can also radiate to the toes and other parts of the...
Keeping your feet healthy often comes down to some preventative efforts on your part. One of the main causes of aching feet is poorly fitting shoes and overpronation from improper arch support. It’s important to choose shoes that are made for the activity and to use orthotic inserts for optimum...
A ganglion cyst is a growth that occurs on a tendon, ligament, or muscle with a primary characteristic being the thick, jelly-like liquid produced in a soft sack on or around the affected component. On your feet, these cysts can appear in clusters on the top of the foot. Ganglion...
The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is also the culprit in fungal toenail infections and so it stands to reason that both of these itchy and smelly conditions can be prevented by eradicating and avoiding the microscopic fungi that cause them. Once a fungal infection has spread under the toenails...
The bunion deformity is a common problem in many people that affects the big toe. In the initial stages, the bony bump and toe movement caused by the condition may not create much pain or discomfort. However, this is the best time to treat the bunion toe with conservative methods...
Having severe pain and discomfort on the top of your foot isn’t as common as some other foot problems, but a variety of circumstances can cause pain in this area. If you have throbbing pain on top of your foot and are unable to put much weight on it, you...
The painful joint condition known as gout is caused by excessive amounts of uric acid building up in the blood. When the acid reaches a saturation point it crystallizes out of the blood and into the joints of the extremities with the joints of the hands, feet, and ankles frequently...
The average, reasonably healthy adult will have put over one hundred thousand miles on their feet over the course of a lifetime. All those miles really take a toll on your poor old feet and ankles. While some age-related problems are largely inevitable, many foot and ankle conditions can be...
Many factors need to be taken into consideration when diagnosing metatarsal syndrome which is why you should contact your foot doctor when you have pain in the ball of your foot. The condition can feel like having a small rock in your shoe under the base of the toes and...
Having an acute, sudden pain in your heel can happen due to a variety of causes ranging from radiating arch pain to bone fractures and systemic diseases like arthritis. In some cases, heel pain can be intermittent and the source can be hard to trace as with plantar fasciitis. For...
Stress fractures (or hairline fractures as they are also called) are created when the repetitive pressure and stress to the feet and ankles that occurs from hard physical work, and from sports and exercise activities that involve a lot of running, jumping, and fast stops and starts (like tennis, football,...
Your skin responds to excess friction and pressure by producing a liquid-filled sac called a blister that covers the damaged skin. Blisters on the feet can be especially problematic since they can make it uncomfortable to wear shoes and walk or exercise. One of the main causes of blisters is...
Your foot arches are comprised of three segments, two that traverse the length of the foot and one that spans the width. These segments interact with other foot components including bones, tendons, and muscles to support your foot. Misalignment and injury from conditions like plantar fasciitis can compromise these components...
An infected cut on the foot is a potentially dangerous complication in patients who have diabetes. Due to peripheral nerve damage, patients who have diabetes may not be able to feel any pain from cuts and injuries. The only way to tell if a wound has occurred is via visual...
Toenails can grow into the tender skin at the edge of your toe and cause swelling, redness, and oozing from infection. While some people have naturally curved toenails that are more likely to grow inward, a more common cause is an improper cutting technique. Many instances of painful ingrown toenails...
We all tend to take our feet for granted until a foot or ankle problem has us seeking help from our foot doctor. In fact, three out of four people have foot, ankle, or heel pain and discomfort that they are neglecting, so be sure to make an appointment with...
As folks are emerging from lockdown and getting involved in socially distanced athletic and exercise activities, it’s a good time to make sure you have properly fitted footwear and orthotic inserts. Custom orthotic shoe inserts are molded to your exact foot shape and are used to treat many foot and...
As restrictions on movement and activities are lifting and as the weather warms, people are venturing out more and getting some sun, so what better time to raise skin cancer awareness. Even though skin cancer is unique in that the cancerous lesions are often visible on the surface of the...
While it can be challenging to stick to eating healthy foods when we are all under so much stress during this pandemic, getting the proper nutrition will help to fortify your immune system and help you to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some of the many nutrient-packed foods that...
Being cooped up indoors all the time with your loved ones builds stress levels, and it can be challenging to maintain any equilibrium and equanimity with the constant uncertainty about the future and just the day-to-day. Couples need to work on their relationships more than ever. Living through this pandemic...
Quarantine fatigue is setting in for many folks after all these weeks of social distancing but it’s still necessary to follow your state and local guidelines to help curb the spread of Covid-19. If you find yourself running out of ideas for fun and educational things for you and the...
Doctors worldwide have been discovering that a toe condition possibly caused by the new coronavirus presents symptoms similar to those caused by chilblains, which is a condition that normally appears in the winter months. Visits to podiatrists and dermatologists for red, painful, and itchy toe conditions have been on the...
Dealing with boredom and going stir crazy are unfortunate side effects of doing your part to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases, but even with school, sporting events, and concerts in limbo, for now, there are plenty of interesting ways to occupy your time. Here are 10 ideas to get...
Constantly preparing meals and doing dishes at home during this time of social distancing can really get to be too much, so it’s a great change of pace when you can easily make an entire, delicious meal using just a 13” X 18” sheet pan or a cookie sheet. Just...
Here is a fun science experiment for youngsters that visually depicts the process in plants known as transpiration, which is the way that water moves through the leaves and stems of plants and evaporates. Only a small amount (about 2 percent) of water taken up by plants is used for...
Eating healthy is something we should all strive for, especially when you consider that eating the right foods may have the added benefit of boosting your immune system to help your body fight off infections from bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Foods that may help to improve the functioning of your...
Learning phonics helps beginning readers to properly sound out words quickly and to minimize and prevent stumbling over the words. In school, phonics is taught with a pragmatic, sequential system where kids can master certain sounds and words before moving on to new ones. You can help keep your kids...
Our practicehas been closely monitoring information and recommendations from the CDC and Texas Department of Health about the COVID-19, Coronavirus. Even before the outbreak, our medical staff already used standard infection control practices. By following current guidelines and recommendations, we have put extra protocols in place to reduce risk to...
Hammertoes are so named due to the bending of one or more of your middle toes into a shape resembling a hammer. The bend occurs at the middle joint. A similar condition called mallet toe affects the toe tip and a condition called claw toe causes all four toes to...
Swelling in your feet and ankles can be caused by a rather wide variety of issues ranging from medication side effects to poor blood circulation, to systemic diseases and injuries. Just being on your feet all day for work or while playing sports can cause swelling that will most likely...
Your feet tend to develop an inordinate amount of skin problems like corns and calluses due to all the stress and pressure they are subjected to on a daily basis. Callused skin on the heel can get especially thick and progress to cracking and heel fissures that can be extremely...
Infections like fungal toenails tend to become more prevalent as you age since your immune system will become less efficient. Since you can get a microbial infection like toenail fungus in public areas such as gyms, pool areas, showers, and locker rooms you can help avoid contamination by protecting your...
Dealing with peeling, itchy, burning, and smelly feet is what you have to look forward to when you get an athlete’s foot infection. The best way to prevent athlete's foot is by limiting and avoiding contact with microbes in public places and at home. You can also decrease the duration...
Gout is an extremely painful arthritic condition that can suddenly strike the feet and ankles, with the large joints of the big toe frequently being affected. The redness, swelling, and stiffness can be so severe that just brushing a sheet over your toe can cause extreme pain. The cause of...
When your ankles and feet are weak and unstable, you are much more susceptible to suffering a foot or ankle injury and possibly a debilitating fall. Falls in the elderly are a major cause of hip and other life-changing fractures. By increasing the strength, flexibility, and stability of your ankles,...
Wearing properly fitted shoes with custom orthotics can treat and prevent a wide variety of foot and ankle problems. In fact, by correcting any gait abnormalities with proper arch support and fine-tuning that supports with pads and inserts, you will also improve the function of your knees, hips, and back....
The rubbing and pressure of improperly-fitted shoes is one easily mitigated source of heel pain. Have your feet properly measured whenever you get new footwear. Also, be sure to talk to your foot doctor about custom orthotic inserts that can treat overpronation and many other causes of foot and heel...
The tops of your feet are not the most common location for foot pain to develop. However, damage from dropping heavy objects on the front of your feet (like phones and laptops, for example) can cause painful fractures in the fragile metatarsal bones that extend into your toes. Improperly-fitted footwear...
Warts are caused by a common virus called HPV (human papillomavirus) that is found in abundance in public areas like locker rooms, showers, pool areas, etc. A particularly painful type called a plantar wart grows on the bottom of the foot in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band...
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by pain, tingling, and burning sensations in the foot that are created from excess pressure on the posterior tibial nerve. This nerve, which supplies much of the feeling to the foot, passes through a hollow area near the ankle that serves as a pathway for...
A bunion is a toe deformity that affects the big toe. A similar condition that affects the small toe is called a bunionette. Both conditions are characterized by a bony growth and a tendency of the affected toe to bend and push into the other toes. Bunions and bunionettes tend...
A neuroma is an enlargement of tissue around a nerve that can cause pain and discomfort. In the case of Morton’s neuroma, a growth of tissue occurs around a nerve that is between the third and fourth toes. The thickening can feel like you have something in your shoe. The...
One of the main causes of ingrown toenails is improperly cut nails that grow into the soft skin at the edge of your toe, causing pain, oozing, bleeding, and possible infection. People who have poorly treated bunions and other toe deformities are more susceptible to developing ingrown toenails due to...
Hammertoes develop slowly and often don’t cause any problems in the early stages. Unfortunately, this causes many people to forgo hammertoe treatment until the toes have gotten more bent and rigid and thus harder to treat. If you start treatment when you first notice your toes bending abnormally, they are...
Achilles tendonitis is a fairly common diagnosis when people go to their foot doctor with heel pain. This tendon connects your calf muscle to your foot at the heel bone. Even though it is the largest and strongest tendon in your body, it can succumb to too much stress and...
Plantar fasciitis is a painful and debilitating arch condition that often radiates pain to the heel area. It is caused by stress and pressure that stretches and tears the fibrous tissue that spans the bottom of your foot (the plantar fascia). A great way to be proactive and help prevent...
Bone spurs are bony growths that form on the heel. They grow slowly and may not cause noticeable problems in the beginning. However, as the bump gets larger, the protrusion can rub against your footwear causing blisters, pain, and gait abnormalities since the discomfort will often alter the way you...
A fungal nail infection can cause your toenails to become grey, brown, and brittle. The infection can also produce a horrible odor as the microbes spread. Keeping the bugs that cause infections under control will go a long way to preventing fungal toenails and other foot and toe infections. Avoiding...
Your big toes absorb a large amount of stress and pressure whenever you walk and exercise. When you have pain and stiffness in one or both of them, it can make getting around very difficult. You push off on your big toes and use them to maintain balance. Conditions like...
The sesamoid bones are two small free-floating bones that are in the ball of the foot. They are involved in absorbing pressure and stress and also contribute to proper toe movement. The sesamoid tendons are the connectors between the sesamoid bones and muscles in your foot. When these bones and...
Having fallen arches (also called flat feet) is a common condition that, if left untreated, can lead to a wide variety of other issues including terrible pain in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back. The condition has even been associated with headaches, so be sure to have your feet...
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in the ball of your foot, it could be from a variety of issues. One common cause of pain in this area of the foot is metatarsalgia. This condition is caused by inflammation of the nerves that are in the ball of the...
Overpronation is a tendency to roll your foot inward when you walk. It is related to poorly supported arches. Those who have untreated flat feet tend to overpronate. The misalignment of the foot translates into improper ankle rotation with a radiating effect that can cause knee, hip, and back problems...
Peripheral nerves provide sensation to your extremities, including your feet and ankles. These nerves are susceptible to damage from a variety of sources, with diabetic peripheral neuropathy being one of the major ones. It is a progressive condition that can be slowed and managed with medication and diet. Nerve damage...
Stress from weight and pressure on the feet causes the skin to thicken, especially in high pressure areas like the heel and ball of the foot. The thick skin forms as a natural response to help insulate your feet from injury. However, when the skin gets too thick and brittle,...
A plantar wart gets its name because it grows in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band of fibrous tissue that spans the bottom of your foot. They are often large warts and, since they tend to grow under thick skin, they can be hard to identify and treat...
Foot odor is a very common problem that is exacerbated by the sweating that occurs in your feet, even though the sweat itself has no odor. Bacteria and fungi love moisture and it is those microbes that are responsible for the bad smell from conditions like athlete’s foot and fungal...
Melanoma is unfortunately a possibly fatal form of skin cancer when isn’t detected in the early stages. It can be difficult to detect since it takes on the appearance of other skin abnormalities like moles, plantar warts, ulcers, and blisters. Melanoma can also grow underneath your toenails or on your...
An ankle sprain often happens unexpectedly. It can be tempting to continue walking after careless rolling your foot over, but putting more stress and pressure on an injured ankle joint is just going to increase the damage. Take as much weight off the injured foot as possible until you can...
A reasonably active individual can take over four thousand steps a day, so keeping your feet happy and healthy are essential for maintaining your mobility — especially as you get older. Keeping your feet and ankles flexible and strong will help avoid injuries like ankle sprains. Looking out for any...
Clubfoot is a very common inherited foot abnormality that affects children. It involves the inward rotation of the ankle, causing the soles to face each other when the condition affects both feet. If treated early with the Ponseti method the feet can be forced into the proper position. If left...
In the beginning stages of childhood foot development, it’s important to allow as much unimpeded foot movement as is safely possible. Children’s feet are very flexible and it is important to give them adequate room to grow and move for proper development to take place. These 3 tips will help...
While athletes and people who exercise vigorously may be more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries, they can happen to anyone. Just stepping over the curb awkwardly while staring at your phone can lead to a severe ankle sprain or even a foot fracture. For any foot or ankle injuries,...
Experts are not really sure exactly why muscles cramp, but there is definitely a correlation between dehydration and muscle cramping. Make sure you drink plenty of healthy fluids throughout the day, especially during exercise and strenuous work, to keep properly hydrated. It’s normal to have some degree of muscle cramping...
Metatarsalgia is a condition that is associated with the metatarsal (toe) bones in the area of the ball of the foot. Irritation and inflammation caused by stress and pressure can become uncomfortable, painful, and debilitating without proper treatment. Since there are so many factors to consider when diagnosing metatarsalgia, it’s...
Charcot foot is a serious deformity that can affect diabetic patients. Since diabetes causes nerve damage and numbness in the feet, in some very unfortunate cases the entire foot can weaken and collapse without the sufferer being aware of it. Weeks and months can go by with the affected foot...
A bunion is a toe deformity that appears as an enlarged bump on the side or top of the big toe. A similar condition can also affect the pinky toe and is known as a bunionette. In the beginning stages, bunions or bunionettes may not be particularly painful but they...
Painful ingrown toenails can often be avoided by addressing some fairly common sense issues that often lead to this annoying and debilitating condition. Some ways to avoid getting ingrown toenails include the following: Avoid toe injuries—Injuring your toes by dropping something heavy on your foot or by stubbing your toe...
Your foot contains many bones that are very strong but some, like the metatarsals, can be easily injured or broken just by dropping your phone or laptop on the front of your foot. A hairline fracture of the foot or ankle can develop from repetitive use from sports and exercise....
Arthritis affects the functioning of your joints by causing a deterioration of the cartilage that keeps your bones from directly rubbing against each other. While the effects will occur throughout your body, the hands, feet, and ankles are often where the discomfort and pain first appear. Seeing your foot doctor...
Paying attention to the health of your feet is something everyone should take more seriously. This is especially true for patients who have diabetes because the disease causes nerve damage that contributes to foot numbness. This lack of feeling makes it difficult to sense the pain of a foot or...
Having severe pain in the back of your heel may be an indication of Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that connects your heel to your calf, and when it becomes stretched or torn from overuse you can experience debilitating pain and discomfort. For a minor strain...
Exercising to strengthen and stretch your feet and ankles with a wide variety of physical therapy exercises is a fun and effective way to keep them in great shape. By taking such proactive steps for your feet, you improve their resilience and decrease the likelihood of getting an injury. Performing...
One easy way to tell if you have flexible flat feet is to wet your feet and stand on a flat surface. If your foot falls all the way to the floor, there won’t be any gap in your footprint. Arch abnormalities do not always cause pain and discomfort, but...
The condition called hammertoes affects the small toes and causes one or more of them to bend in an abnormal manner so they point down at the joints, resembling a hammer. When all four toes are affected at once, the condition is called claw foot. The bend in hammertoes can...
A foot neuroma forms in response to injury, soreness, and pressure on one of the nerves that extends into the metatarsal bones that connect to your toes. This often occurs between the third and fourth toes in the ball of the foot. Extreme pain and discomfort can make exercising, walking,...
Experiencing ankle pain such as from a sprain is a very common condition that has a variety of possible causes. Since it can be difficult to accurately trace the source of the pain, any ankle pain that doesn’t begin to subside after the first day of rest, icing, and elevation...
As kids are growing, moving, and playing, it’s important to pay attention to behaviors such as tiptoeing or limping. A foot or ankle problem may be the cause and kids don’t always know how to say what the problem may be. Many children’s foot problems correct themselves as the child...
As we age, all those wonderful years of walking, running, dancing, and just standing there put a lot of stress and pressure on your poor old feet and ankles. Age-related changes are inevitable. However, you can minimize, delay, and even avoid many problems with proper care and regular visits to...
A fungal toenail infection becomes a more likely occurrence as you age and as your immune system slows down. While fungal toenails may not be initially painful, they can cause the nails to become brittle and discolored and a terrible smell often is caused by the fungi. The fungi that...
A bunion is an often painful deformity that causes a large bony bump to form on your big toe. At first, the condition may not be painful, but as the bunion moves the big toe further into the other toes it causes blistering and problems with over and underlapping toes....
Your feet can show signs of your overall health since symptoms of diseases like diabetes often first show up in your feet and ankles. Therefore, your foot doctor may be able to give you some advance notice that you need to have other aspects of your overall health investigated. Here...
Cancerous lesions on the feet can look a lot like other benign skin problems. Since melanoma can spread quickly and be fatal, you should have all skin growths on your feet evaluated by your podiatrist. It’s important to make sure that something that looks like a mole or blister isn’t...
Plantar warts grow in the wide band of fibrous tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, the plantar fascia. These warts can cause considerable pain and discomfort whenever you put weight on the area. Plantar warts often hide under thick skin in the heel or ball of the...
The unpleasant sensation that your feet are burning can range from minor discomfort to severe pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night. A wide variety of conditions can cause the feeling of burning feet while also causing numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation. Having poor blood flow...
Blisters are one of the most common and painful skin conditions that can affect the feet. They are often caused by excessive rubbing from improperly fitted shoes. The rubbing causes redness and inflammation followed by the formation of a fluid-filled bubble around the inflamed area. The fluid inside a blister...
Having an ingrown toenail is an extremely painful condition that happens when the edge of your toenail grows into the tender skin on the edge of your toe. While any of your toenails can grow into your skin, the condition frequently affects the big toe causing pain, swelling, redness and...
Professional athletes and ballet dancers are very susceptible to foot and ankle fractures because of the constant stress and physical demands of their chosen activity. However, even folks who engage in a regular exercise program may break a bone in the foot or ankle every now and then. The type...
Choosing shoes that are comfortable and supportive is essential to keeping your feet working at their optimum level. Wearing-properly fitted and supported shoes for the activity you are doing will help prevent injuries and will also improve your spinal alignment. This has beneficial effects for your knees, hips, and back...
Stubbing your toe usually happens unexpectedly, and the experience is even more shocking due to the dearth of fatty tissue around your toes. And since the toes have a huge number of nerves running through them, the sensation of pain can be quite pronounced even when the injury isn’t too...
The foot condition called plantar fasciitis is characterized by an inflammation of the wide band of connective tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia and it helps support your arch and provides cushioning and stress absorption from athletic activities and exercise....
Joint diseases such as arthritis that cause stiffness, pain, and swelling can be particularly debilitating. This is especially true when any of the more than thirty joints in each of your feet is affected, making it hard to just stand and walk. Some types of arthritis that can hurt your...
The big toe is the only toe that is not susceptible to the condition called hammertoe. The other toes can all succumb to this progressive deformity that causes the toes to bend at the end joints into the shape of a hammer. Hammertoes will only get worse over time without...
Sesamoid bones are unique in the fact that they are not directly connected to another bone. The kneecap is the largest sesamoid bone and there are two small ones in the ball of each foot. These two pea-sized bones help tendons move and they absorb weight and pressure from your...
Big toe pain is a very common complaint that is treated by foot doctors and there are a variety of causes of pain in the big toe. Since symptoms of these conditions can be similar, it is important to see your foot specialist for the correct diagnosis and treatment. The...
Corns and calluses form as a normal and natural response to the irritation and pressure that is caused by weight-bearing and by poorly fitting shoes. Many calluses are not painful in the beginning, but when they continue to form on the heels and balls of the feet the skin becomes...
Your feet and ankles contain a huge number of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons all of which are susceptible to injury and disease. Therefore, it’s very important to take care of your feet and have regular exams with your podiatrist. Check-ups will help avoid problems and begin treatment of...
The Achilles tendon can become swollen and painful from the repetitive stress of activities such as jogging and playing sports. Cessation of the activity that is causing pain in your heel is essential to avoid further injury. Achilles tendonitis is a condition that is very common in dancers, athletes, and...
If you have ever experienced an unanticipated contraction of a muscle in your foot, then you know how painful and debilitating a foot cramp can be. Keeping yourself properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water and healthy fluids will help to avoid foot cramps. Since they may be associated with...
Pain on the top of the foot can be caused by a variety of conditions. Always have your foot doctor perform a physical exam and any necessary imaging tests to identify the precise cause. 3 common causes of pain on the top of the foot include: Fractures—The bones and other...
The pain and discomfort caused by an ingrown toenail can be extremely debilitating, even making it difficult to walk. And since the toenail often cuts your skin, the condition can also lead to a fungal toenail or bacterial infection. Fortunately, ingrown toenails can be prevented with some proactive steps. Prevent ingrown toenails...
Morton’s neuroma is a common foot condition that is often described as feeling like you have something in your shoe under the ball of your foot. The actual cause of this problem is a nerve condition. Morton’s neuroma is frequently a result of injury and pressure that pushes on the...
The tarsal tunnel is the name given to an area of the foot that lies between part of your ankle bone and a group of ligaments and tendons, forming a tunnel of sorts. This tunnel carries the nerves, arteries, blood vessels, etc., that give your feet their function. One of...
A small, bony protrusion that grows from the back of your heel is called a heel spur. People who experience plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue that spans the bottom of the foot, often experience the growth of a heel spur. Both conditions are caused by too much...
We don’t often think that skin cancer is something that can affect our feet since it is often associated with sun exposure. However, there are other factors that can contribute to the chances of developing this possibly deadly affliction with or without sun exposure. Cancer on your feet can mimic...
Having a severe pain in the arch of your foot can happen suddenly. But arch pain may also start off intermittently, which can make it hard to identify the source of the problem without the help of your foot doctor. Some of the reasons for arch pain include the following:...
Custom orthotic shoe inserts and supportive devices can help with a multitude of foot and ankle problems. Orthotics help isolate foot abnormalities like bunions and hammertoes and provide proper arch support to correct overpronation and improve spinal alignment. Improper foot mechanics can be identified using a computerized gait analysis at your...
The sensation that your feet are on fire is one of the primary complaints of patients who have diabetes. The sensations can also include tingling and numbing that are the result of peripheral nerve damage from the diabetes. The feeling that your feet are burning can range from a mild inconvenience...
A bunion (or bunionette as it is called when it appears on your littlest toe) starts off as a small bony bump on the edge of your big toe joint (or on the outside of your pinky toe). Bunions are generally not that painful in their beginning stages, so many people...
If you have yet to experience an injury to your ankle, rest assured that at some point in your life you will suffer from an ankle sprain or strain, and probably several. These injuries are among the most common treated by podiatrists, yet some people make the mistake of trying to treat...
When you lose the sense of feeling in your feet and toes, it can be a very disturbing and unsettling experience that is often caused by neuromas. Loss of feeling can create difficulties with exercising, walking, and just standing. A tingling sensation or numbness in your feet and ankles can be an...
The condition of Haglund’s deformity is often referred to as the “pump bump” since it tends to affect individuals who frequently wear tight fitting high-heeled shoes. The bony protrusion forms near the Achilles tendon, often causing heel pain and sometimes leading to a complication called bursitis which can separate the tendon from...
Many people have a tendency to neglect their feet until a serious foot or ankle problem has occurred. Your feet and ankles absorb a considerable amount of stress and pressure over the years, and an excellent way to thank them for all the walking, running, climbing, and dancing you have...
A foot ulcer can quickly become a major problem for people who have diabetes. Since the peripheral nerve damage of diabetes causes a lack feeling in the extremities, the feet become extremely susceptible to unnoticed infections. These can progress to gangrenous ulcers requiring the amputation of a toe, or even your entire foot....
A plantar fibroma is a condition that is characterized by a thickening of the fibrous tissue on the bottom of your foot. It can display as pain and stiffness in your arch or other parts of the sole which can make it difficult to walk. As the condition worsens, nodules...
Your feet absorb an astonishing amount of stress and pressure every day. You perform a variety of ambulatory activities with many happening almost automatically or without your giving them a second thought—until you experience an injury to your feet or ankles that causes severe pain and makes it difficult or...
Your toenails are often both physically and mentally the furthest thing from your mind! But that’s no reason to neglect them when it comes to caring for your feet. Your toenails are important indicators of your overall health, so keeping a watchful eye out for changes in their texture or...
Corns and calluses are skin conditions that are created as your body responds to friction and pressure on the feet, often caused by constricting footwear. Corns often grow on the side of the toe where two toes rub against each other, and they also frequently form on the tops of your...
While the condition known as bunions is a very common foot condition, bunions develop very slowly, and many people either don’t notice or choose to ignore the problem. Waiting until the bunion has reached a more advanced stage is just postponing the inevitable treatment that is needed to bring it under control....
One of the most common reasons that people visit their foot doctor is because of terrible heel pain. There are many different causes of heel pain including repetitive stress from exercise and from tightly-fitting shoes like pumps. A bad pain in your heel can really ruin your day and adversely affect...
Running is a deceptively simple activity that can be a great way to get your daily exercise, but it also comes with the risk of serious injury, especially when basic requirements such as proper footwear and warming up before the run are neglected. Some of the most common injuries incurred...
Babies are born with a thick layer of fat throughout their skin, including on the bottoms of the feet. These fat deposits decrease quickly as the child grows, but prior to this decrease, some parents may become concerned that their newborn’s feet appear to be flat. The excess fat helps...
Clubfoot is an inherited deformity that affects nearly one out of every one thousand children. Its main feature is an inward rotation of the ankle that causes the bottoms of the feet to face each other, but it can also affect only one foot. Clubfoot needs to be properly identified and...
Are you experiencing debilitating heel pain from a small bump on the back of your heel? If the bump is located where your Achilles tendon attaches to the bone, then you probably have a condition known as Haglund’s deformity. This is a bone growth that often affects those who wear high-heeled shoes...
An otherwise enjoyable physical activity can often become a painful and debilitating experience when blisters develop on your feet. The coexistence of heat, moisture, and rubbing that occurs during running, hiking, and just plain walking can cause these fluid-filled sacs to form, often resulting in pain, redness, and possibility of...
If you have been noticing that one or more of your toes has taken on a bent shape at the joint, then you probably have a condition known as hammertoe. While this condition is not always painful in the beginning, a hammertoe can become more deformed over time. As it continues...
Despite the fact that nail fungus is more likely to spread in warm conditions, it doesn’t really matter what the temperature is outside. That’s because the temperature inside your shoes is usually just right for the uninhibited growth of fungi and bacteria, which can spread from your skin to your...
A telltale sign that you are on your way to developing diabetes is a condition called diabetic neuropathy which is peripheral nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. This nerve disruption often causes a complete lack of sensation in the feet, making it very difficult for sufferers to sense...
Shopping for footwear, in general, can be a difficult experience, with all the varieties of footwear available, and choosing the correct running shoe also has no shortage of available options. Not only will choosing the correct running shoe make your run more enjoyable and less painful, but also making the...
High arches are often inherited or caused by a bone disorder or some type of neurological condition. The arch remains high and inflexible even when carrying a weight. A normal arch is balanced and flexible and works with the tendons to support the foot, but a permanently high arch prevents...
Plantar warts grow on the bottom of the foot, usually in the heel or ball area. These areas are often covered with thick, callused skin and a plantar wart often grows inward underneath the skin and hidden from view. They may get better on their own after a long time, but...
Even though your feet may not get a lot of sun exposure, they can still be susceptible to developing cancerous lesions just like other parts of your body. Cancers of the feet are not always related to UV exposure and can also be caused by chemical exposure, viral infection, and...
Chilblains are small blood vessels in your skin that have become painfully inflamed and irritated after repeated exposure to cold (but not freezing) temperatures. Oddly enough, people in areas where the temperature drops below freezing have little problem with this disease. This condition shows up as red blotches on the...
Due to the feeling of numbness, or the inability to feel pain, patients with diabetes can be completely unaware that an injury or blister has occurred on one of their feet or ankles. Untreated, these seemingly minor injuries or scratches can become infected, leading to an ulcerating wound that becomes a particularly...
Sometimes referred to as metatarsalgia, this condition can affect the bones, ligaments and other tissues in the ball of your foot — the forward section of the bottom of your foot that lies just behind your toes — causing severe pain, swelling, and discomfort which is sometimes described as feeling...
Although many people have this type of infection and are unaware of it until it becomes a potentially severe problem, fungal toenail infections are extremely common and often go untreated for months or years, especially in men. In the beginning stages of the disease, there usually isn’t any pain, but as the...
Each of your feet contains over 30 joints, so it’s no surprise that, if you have a joint disease such as arthritis, one of the primary locations you will feel the effects is in your feet. Types of arthritis There are the three main types of arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis—This arthritis...
Everyone knows about the dangers of surfing the internet while driving, but using your smartphone while walking is also a potentially serious hazard, especially when it comes to accidents involving your ankles and feet. Injuries such as ankle sprains and foot fractures are all too common. A large number of pedestrians encounter...
The pain from an ingrown toenail can be very debilitating and the condition can also lead to a fungal toenail infection. You can help prevent ingrown toenails from occurring by following these four simple tips: Protect your feet with properly fitted shoes—One of the easiest ways to prevent a foot injury that can...
Your heels really take a serious beating on a daily basis. Whenever you walk, exercise, or merely stand up, your heels are there to help absorb your weight. So it’s no surprise that they can become sore from all this abuse. The location of the pain in the heel is...
The joys of running for exercise are many. You don’t need a lot of equipment and you can frequently find a nice refreshing outdoor venue to exercise in and unwind, and there are often indoor tracks that you can use during bad weather. Despite the ease of getting into running...
This is a very common foot problem that is most often a minor annoyance, but it can worsen and become extremely painful and debilitating. The cracks can get deeper and turn into fissures making it painful and difficult to walk and even stand. The fissures can also lead to bleeding...
Twisting your ankle is among the most common foot injuries. It can happen when you are engaging in normal, everyday activities such as crossing the street and stepping clumsily on the curb, and it often happens to individuals who participate in sporting activities involving running, jumping, and pivoting, such as tennis,...
If the bottom of your foot touches, or nearly touches the floor when you are standing, you probably have flat feet. It is a common condition and it is estimated that as many as 60 million Americans have the disorder. Chronic flat feet can cause or contribute to lower back...
Many people tend to take their feet for granted until a problem develops, and that also applies to the toenails. One of the best ways to avoid certain complications with your toenails is to get into a regular habit of inspecting your toenails more carefully than you might otherwise do...
Keeping your feet healthy and happy throughout the year should be on everyone’s resolution list, and one of the best ways to do that is by selecting properly fitted shoes that give your feet the right support and cushioning. All of the components of your shoes, from materials, to arch...
Nearly a third of all people over the age of 65 have at least one bunion or bunionette. These are painful deformities that cause a large bump to develop and move the toe out of position, often forcing it into the other toes causing additional complications. The condition commonly affects...
The pressure on your toes, especially inside tight fitting shoes, is enormous and with every step you take the forces on your feet can contribute to the formation of toe deformities including underlapping and overlapping toes. These problems can become very painful as the toes are forced into an unnatural...
One of the most common injuries to the foot is Achilles tendonitis, which occurs when the large tendon on the back of the heel becomes injured. Another less common injury to tendons of the foot can strike the peroneal tendons which run along the side of the foot and allow...
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot between the heel bone and the toe bones. It helps to support the arch of the foot and absorbs all the stress and pressure of your daily exercises and activities. When this tissue...
Have you noticed that your big toe hurts and has become hard to bend? You may have a condition known as hallux rigidus, which means “stiff big toe.” The cause of hallux rigidus is from degeneration of the joint that occurs from the wear and tear of life. Arthritis can...
There are several foot problems that can cause pain in the ball of the foot. One of the most common of these is a condition called capsulitis. It is called this because it refers to the capsule that is created by the tendons, ligaments, and other tissues that surround your...
While skin cancer often occurs in areas of the body that are more often exposed to the sun such as the hands, face, and neck, be sure to check your feet and ankles for signs of skin cancer as well. Skin cancer can be linked to chemical irritants, viruses, and...
If you experience severe pain in the lower calf muscle after exercising that is followed by stiffness, pain, and inflammation the following morning, you may have a condition called Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and is the largest and strongest tendon in...
Believe it or not, one of the most common conditions contracted by children is warts, which often first show up on the feet and hands. Warts spread easily in locations with lots of children, such as in school locker rooms or pool areas. Since children’s immune systems are not fully developed,...
While choosing the right footwear is important in general, for those with diabetes and related complications like peripheral neuropathy it is essential to have properly fitted shoes with the appropriate orthotic inserts. Since peripheral neuropathy causes a loss of sensation in the feet, the resultant inability to feel cold, dampness, cuts, punctures,...
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a very common circulation problem that frequently goes undiagnosed for long periods of time. Consequently, a variety of other conditions can develop, many of which are first detected by changes that occur in your legs, feet, and other extremities. The constriction of the arteries that...
While many people consider physical therapy only after surgery or during recover from a car accident, there are many ways that physical therapy procedures can be an adjunct to any health and exercise regimen rather than just in severe situations. In fact, proper use of stretching and flexibility exercises can...
If you have numbing and tingling in your toes and feet, you are unfortunately not alone. One of the first major symptoms of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, and the explosion of diabetes and other chronic diseases worldwide has been a worrisome trend for many years now, with many millions of people affected. Neuropathy...
With football season officially underway, it’s time to review some of the common injuries that occur on the field. Despite the best efforts of coaches and athletes to maintain a rigorous training and strengthening program, the high impact nature of the sport often results in unexpected injuries, most especially to...
Running is an excellent way to get your exercise and since it requires nothing more than a little will power, a place to run, and a good pair of sneakers, it is one of the most popular forms of exercise. While running is a relatively simple activity, the repetitive stress experienced...
