Items filtered by date: January 2023

Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the long tendon that connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel. The Achilles tendon is used every time you walk, run, jump, or push up onto your toes. Tendonitis is considered to be an overuse injury and is especially common among runners who increase their distance or speed too quickly. Achilles tendonitis can also affect middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis and basketball, but only play on weekends. Pain of Achilles tendonitis usually starts out with an ache above the heel and progresses after longer bouts of running, stair climbing, or sprinting. Other symptoms are tenderness or stiffness in the morning that dissipates with some activity. If such activities continue and increased pain is ignored, Achilles tendonitis can lead to ruptures that may require surgery. If pain in the back of your heel persists or worsens, please consult a podiatrist for an examination and suggested treatment options.

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.

Warts are growths that can form on various parts of the body. Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and grow inward as a result of the weight the feet endure. They generally cause severe pain and discomfort, and walking may become difficult. A wart is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and plantar warts are no different. They can have the appearance of a callus, with small black dots in the center. This particular virus lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, including shower room floors and public swimming pools. It can enter the body through small cuts in the skin on the feet, and it is beneficial to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas. Additional preventive methods consist of keeping the feet as dry as possible, and refraining from sharing towels, shoes, and socks. There are various treatments that can be effective, and it is advised that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the best one is for you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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 and ankle needs.

Fatigue and hairline fractures are also known as stress fractures. They are small cracks that happens to one or more bones in the foot from overuse. They can be common among athletes or children who frequently participate in sporting activities.  It can happen from increasing speed and mileage too quickly, in addition to having an abnormal foot structure. Research has shown that patients who have high arches or flat feet may be prone to developing stress fractures, possibly as a result of a lack of shock absorption that comes from the surrounding muscles. Additionally, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly may lead to getting a stress fracture, or it may happen from running on hard surfaces. Relief may be found when the activity that caused the fracture is temporarily ceased, and the affected foot is elevated. If you have endured a stress fracture of the foot, please consult a podiatrist who can offer you effective treatment methods.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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.

There are several names for the foot condition that is known as cuboid syndrome, such as dropped, locked, or subluxed cuboid. The cuboid bone is located on the outer edge of the foot, under the pinky toe. Cuboid syndrome can happen when gradual stress is placed on the cuboid bone, which may possibly tear the surrounding tendons. This can cause the bone to become out of alignment with the rest of the foot, and it is known to be a common injury among dancers, sprinters, and jumpers. The symptoms that are often associated with this type of injury can include pain on the outside of the foot, which may radiate to the toes and ankles, and the injured area may be swollen. Additionally, many patients can begin to limp and may notice that their entire foot feels weak. Patients can find relief when mild stretches are performed, and wearing shoes that have extra cushioning. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist sooner rather than later who can guide you toward the correct treatment options.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, 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.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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.

Exercise is a necessary part of what it means to lead a healthy life. It is essential to staying fit and strong. It is important to remember that after you engage in an exercise routine for the day, performing cool-down exercises can help the body heal properly before concluding the exercise routine. The feet are certainly no exception to any other part of the body. After working out, consider making a point of performing cool-down exercises for the feet. Perhaps you might perform toe circles, slowly pointing the toes of the feet and moving them in a circular position. This stretch will relax the muscles and let them fully heal and cool down after an exercise. You might also consider performing a single-leg hamstring stretch where one leg is put in front of the other. You can then flex the foot in front, slowly leaning in and out of the stretch. When you take time to cool down after a workout, you essentially give the feet the chance to recuperate before returning to regular daily activities, which can reduce the chance of injury. If you want to learn more about exercises for the feet, contact a podiatrist today.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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 and ankle needs.