Items filtered by date: December 2017

There are many different possible causes of heel pain. Heel pain may occur when constant weight is placed upon the heel. Pain is typically caused by repetitive stress, resulting in soreness and extreme discomfort. Other causes of heel pain may include wearing shoes with heels that are too low or from a worn pad in the heel area of the shoe. One common diagnosis for heel pain is plantar fasciitis, a condition which can be caused by overpronation. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. When a patient overpronates, this tissue can stretch and can become inflamed, resulting in intense pain in the arch and heel of the foot. The pain may subside as the day progresses and can feel the most intense first thing in the morning. Treatment may include cushioning and elevating the heel to alleviate pressure on the foot. If the pain is the result of overpronation, a shoe with good arch support and a firm heel may prevent the inflammation. Please consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis if the pain persists.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Apple Podiatry Group. Our doctors 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 offices located in Arlington Fort Worth, And Flower Mound, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot care is extremely important to diabetics as they often suffer from neuropathy and poor blood circulation in the feet. With this in mind, if you are diabetic, always maintain proper foot care. Wear shoes that are comfortable and provide adequate support for your feet. If you travel, be sure to bring different pairs of shoes so that you have multiple options for different terrains. Twice a day, look at your feet to see if there are any abnormalities such as redness, numbness, or a wound. Wash your feet daily as well and keep them as clean as possible. Finally, maintain a healthy diet and closely monitor your blood glucose levels. If you feel pain in your feet or notice any abnormalities, see a podiatrist for a consultation.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Apple Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington Fort Worth, And Flower Mound, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

By the time a child is 18 years old, their feet are fully developed. When a child is 6 months old, however, most of the foot consists of cartilage and may be susceptible to deformities from shoes that fit incorrectly. Recent research suggests that being barefoot is best for healthy foot development, though it may not always be practical. The skin needs to be protected from extreme weather conditions, sharp objects, and wear and tear from walking on rough surfaces. Wearing flexible shoes will allow the feet to develop naturally while protecting the skin against harsh environments. Once the proper shoes have been chosen, the feet need to be taken care of. This may include washing the feet daily, especially drying between the toes. Additionally, measuring the feet regularly in the first 3 years of walking is important in making sure children are wearing the right size shoe.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Apple Podiatry Group. Our doctors 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 Arlington Fort Worth, And Flower Mound, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

While generally only a minor health concern, a foot blister can cause enough pain and discomfort to stop one from doing any activity that puts pressure on it. There are some effective methods one can take to help prevent blisters from appearing on the foot. Wear shoes that are comfortable and provide enough room to prevent friction against the foot. Synthetic socks are generally better at preventing friction and wicking away moisture than cotton socks are. Be sure to keep any debris out of your shoes, as this can also cause friction. Foot powders or lubricants can help as well. Finally, keep your feet dry by changing socks when they are wet. If you have a blister on your foot and you are a diabetic, it is recommended to see a podiatrist who can keep an eye on the blister so that it does not become an ulcer.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Apple Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington Fort Worth, And Flower Mound, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.