Items filtered by date: January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022 00:00

What Could Be Causing Your Heel Pain?

Heel pain can occur at any age, and it can come from a variety of causes. Plantar fasciitis is the most common source of heel pain. It occurs when the band of tissues that connects the heel to the toes, known as the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. This condition can then cause the plantar fascia to pull on the heel and give it stress. It can also lead to heel spurs, which are calcium deposits that form on the bottom of the heel bone and become painful when bearing weight. Fat pad atrophy is another common source of heel pain. It occurs when the fat underneath the heel begins to wear away. Growing children who are active between the ages of 8 and 13 are susceptible to Sever’s disease. This is a result of the calf muscles growing faster than the Achilles tendon and causing the muscles to pull on the heel. Because of how debilitating heel pain can be to everyday life, patients who are struggling with any of these conditions may wish to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. 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 one of our offices located in Media, Glen Mills, Riddle Memorial Hospital, and Concordville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 18 January 2022 00:00

What Is an Achilles Tendon Rupture?

The Achilles tendon is a band of fibrous tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Though this tendon is tough, it can tear or rupture during physical activity. A ruptured Achilles tendon can cause many symptoms, including a sharp, sudden pain at the back of the ankle, difficulty walking, weakness, and an inability to raise the injured foot. Some people are able to walk or continue playing sports with a ruptured Achilles tendon due to the surrounding muscles compensating. However, this can make the injury worse. A rupture can be treated conservatively or with surgery. Conservative treatment typically involves immobilizing the injured leg with a cast to allow it to heal. Surgery repairs the ruptured tendon. If you believe that you may have ruptured your Achilles tendon, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

  • Inflammation
  • Dull to severe pain
  • Increased blood flow to the tendon
  • Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

  • Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
  • Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

  • Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
  • Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media, Glen Mills, Riddle Memorial Hospital, and Concordville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Saturday, 15 January 2022 00:00

Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!

Keeping aging adults ambulatory is considered by many to be essential. Mobility is believed to provide the elderly with dignity, independence, and self-esteem. Foot care plays an important part in the aging adult’s mental health and quality of life, and it should be equal to care they receive for other parts of their body. This is particularly true for elderly patients with chronic diseases, like diabetes. Older adults should be educated on proper foot care, and have their foot health regularly monitored and assessed by a podiatrist. This is important to help the older adults stay mobile while avoiding complications that can result from a foot condition that is ignored or goes undetected. To help ensure your foot health or that of your loved one, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today.

If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media, Glen Mills, Riddle Memorial Hospital, and Concordville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 04 January 2022 00:00

Why Is My Ankle Aching?

Ankle pain can have many possible causes. Ankle sprains, which occur when a ligament in the ankle is overstretched or torn, are one of the most common ankle injuries. An ankle sprain can happen while playing sports, exercising, or even just twisting the ankle when stepping off of a curb. Another potential cause of ankle pain is tendonitis. The ankle contains three tendons: the Achilles tendon, the peroneal tendon, and the posterior tibial tendon. When one of these tendons becomes inflamed, it results in pain, swelling, and tenderness in the ankle. Ankle arthritis, flexor retinaculum strain, and tarsal tunnel syndrome can also cause ankle pain. If you are suffering from a mysteriously aching ankle, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors 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 tendinitis
  • 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 one of our offices located in Media, Glen Mills, Riddle Memorial Hospital, and Concordville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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