Items filtered by date: September 2015

Arthritis5 Arthritis is a disease that often causes those affected to go without exercise due to the pain. Nearly 44% of those with arthritis say they don’t exercise and nearly 88% say they are not nearly active enough. According to a controlled trial published in the Journal of Rheumatology, those with arthritis that practiced yoga at least three times a week had an improvement in pain, energy, mood, and physical health. According to Dr. Clifton O. Bingham III, associate professor of John Hopkins University, “It has really been transformative for a lot of my patients.” For some of Dr. Bingham’s patients, yoga has helped them through arthritis for over five years.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are suffering from arthritic foot pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our podiatrists can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

  • Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
  • Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
  • Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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

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plantar-fasciitis6With marathon training season coming our way, many runners will experience foot injuries and aches along the way. Finding the proper shoe and paying mind to running habits will reduce and identify pain; massaging and stretching the feet can especially eliminate the foot pain problem. Stretching your feet should be done without shoes on to get the best results and relief. Ignoring foot pain will only increase problems later on making it important to take the proper measures in reducing the pain.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Stretching Your Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.

Good ways to stretch your feet are:

  • Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
  • Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
  • Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 14 September 2015 00:00

The Best Ways to Avoid Heel Spurs

fungal-toenail2Heel spurs occur when there is extreme strain on the heel bone and surrounding ligaments causing a calcium deposit on the heel bone. In order to avoid the painful condition many suggest to wear shoes that are your size, massage the feet after walking around in heels and consider switching to a flatter shoe, and stretch the feet. Additionally, running on hard surfaces or barefoot can increase risk of heel spurs. Avoid exerting too much pressure on the heels and get fitted for a proper running shoe to reduce chances of heel spurs forming.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful, and sometimes might make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, call one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be a cause from small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching it to the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot. Bone may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs. Pain sometimes intensifies with age. Heel spurs are known to cause a substantial amount of pain. One of the main associations spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often times because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to poke and affect other boners and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain there are several methods for healing. Medicines, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

For more information about Heel Spurs, follow the link below.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office in Media, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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stretching3Dr. Braxton Littles appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the negative impacts flip-flops have on the feet. In addition to causing many trips and falls among the shoe wears Dr. Littles states that flops are the cause of many heel and arch problems due to their lack of support. Without providing the foot with the support that it needs problems such as plantar fasciitis, muscle fatigue, and pain within the rest of the body may arise. Littles states that if you must wear flip-flops, it is best not to wear them regularly to avoid foot pain.

Flip-flops can cause a lot of damage to the feet and rest of the body. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

Flip-flops are not only very popular, but very convenient, especially in the warmer weather. They allow your feet to breathe and let you move your toes freely. They also go with most attire and can be worn with many different clothing styles. Unfortunately, these type of shoes also have a disadvantage, as they can cause harm to your feet in more ways than you think. These symptoms include:

  • Ball and arch problems in the foot
  • Changes to the body’s natural gait
  • Blisters
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Higher risk of infection
  • Higher risk of scrapes and cuts to the feet
  • Issues in the lower back, legs and ankles

To avoid these symptoms (and minimize your risks), select a pair of flip-flops made of high quality materials that can offer protection. Purchase flip-flops from a reliable manufacturer and be sure to replace them every three to four months. Be sure the soles are firm and not ‘floppy’, or that they don’t bend or wiggle a lot when lifted from the floor.

You can still wear your favorite pair of flip-flops if you so choose, just don’t wear them for extended periods of time, and especially not every day. However, it would be far wiser to purchase a more expensive pair of flip-flops or to refrain from wearing the shoe at all for the sake of your foot health. While these shoes are comfortable, the risks included with wearing them are not.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about flip-flops and feet.

 

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