Items filtered by date: March 2023

An ingrown toenail is a condition of the foot that occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin surrounding the nail bed. As a result, there can be inflammation at the site of the side of the toenail. Some cases of ingrown toenails are so severe that surgery is needed to correct the condition. Many patients want to know what they should be doing after undergoing a surgical procedure. You should always listen to the advice and instructions of your medical professional, such as a podiatrist. They might tell you to rest the foot in the days following surgery. The instructions that your medical professional gives you might also include ways in which you can reduce the risk of developing an infection of some kind. If you are afflicted with an ingrown toenail, then it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact the foot specialists of Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot becomes inflamed. The condition can often result in serious heel pain. Yoga is one way in which an individual might be able to combat foot pain from plantar fasciitis. Specifically, there are certain yoga poses that are designed to stretch the plantar fascia. These poses might also stretch other related muscles. Some of these stretches include the upward salute, the chair pose, the high lunge, and others. If you are someone that is struggling with plantar fasciitis, you might benefit from practicing certain yoga stretches. It is suggested that individuals with plantar fasciitis or heel pain schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible for treatment and advice. 

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact the foot specialists  from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is located near the heel and toward the outside of the foot. The foot condition known as cuboid syndrome may happen when the surrounding joints and ligaments become injured or move out of place. This can be a common injury among certain types of athletes, such as ballet dancers, or it may happen from suddenly twisting the ankle by falling. Existing conditions can make some prone to developing cuboid syndrome. These can include obesity and previously breaking a bone that is connected to the cuboid bone. Additionally, having various types of arthritis or osteoporosis can lead to getting cuboid syndrome. Relief is often found when the offending activity is temporarily stopped and the foot is frequently elevated. Effective prevention methods may come from adequately warming up and cooling down before and after a workout, and cross training may help to rest the feet. If you have pain in the outside of your foot, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat cuboid syndrome.

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 the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. 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 our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Exercising your feet regularly can improve your foot health and prevent injuries. Walking is the best form of exercise for the feet because it puts them through a full range of motion. Walking is also one of the best forms of exercise for the entire body in that it improves cardiovascular health, helps circulation, increases muscle tone, and enhances mood. Flexibility and resistance exercises can also help keep feet healthy. Flexibility or foot stretching exercises help keep feet limber. Resistance exercises are where one strengthens the muscles of the feet by working them against some form of resistance, such as weights or exercise bands. If you would like to learn more about exercises for your feet, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist, an expert in everything related to the feet and ankles.

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 the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. 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 our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

It is perhaps true to say that we do not think about whether we use our legs in the same manner, or whether our feet feel the same way against the floor. It is likely that we assume everything on both sides of our body functions in the same way. However, most of us have one leg or foot that is stronger than the other. The stronger side often leads in performing specific tasks, including climbing stairs, jumping, or participating in sporting activities. Those who perform multiple activities are probably less likely to notice a dominant side as a result of frequently engaging both sides. Whether we have a dominant side or not can be immaterial, but it may become a problem to have a strength discrepancy on one side of the body, especially as we age. Simple exercises involving touch can help to reestablish a connection with our weaker, less dominant side. For example, practicing a basic step-up with one leg at a time will show us how it feels on each leg and foot. This can help us strengthen the non-dominant side by practicing the step-up more often with that side. Paying attention to the various ways we use our bodies can make it easier to stabilize the pattern that equalizes the feet and legs. This will help us balance and feel more comfortable using both sides of our bodies. If you are interested in learning about how your feet function and what you can do to strengthen your non-dominant side, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.