Items filtered by date: September 2023

Running is an excellent way to stay fit and enjoy the great outdoors, but it can also come with the risk of injuries. Fortunately, there are specific exercises you can incorporate into your routine to reduce the likelihood of these setbacks. Strengthening your lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes can help stabilize your legs and absorb shock more effectively. Lunges, squats, and calf raises are all beneficial exercises. Additionally, it is important to prioritize core strength. A strong core helps maintain proper running form, reducing strain on your limbs and joints. Planks and bridges are excellent exercise choices for building core stability. Flexibility is another key factor in injury prevention. Regular stretching, especially for the calves, hamstrings, and hip flexors, can improve your range of motion and reduce the risk of strains. Balance exercises, such as single-leg stands and stability ball exercises, can enhance your coordination and reduce the risk of sprains. Incorporating these exercises into your regular regimen can keep you injury-free and can help you to enjoy running for years to come. If you would like more information on what exercises and stretches to perform that can help prevent running injuries, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with useful tips.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists of Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts designed to support and align your feet properly. They can be a game-changer when it comes to reducing foot pain and discomfort. First, custom orthotics provide added cushioning and support to your feet, which can help distribute your body weight evenly. This can alleviate pressure on specific areas, such as the arches or heels, and reduce pain associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis or flat feet. Second, custom orthotics can correct abnormal foot mechanics, such as overpronation, which is rolling your feet inward, or supination, which is rolling your feet outward. Orthotics also can help to align your feet and ankles properly and reduce strain on the muscles and tendons. In addition, orthotics can improve your posture and reduce the stress on your knees, hips, and lower back. This process can indirectly alleviate foot pain caused by poor alignment. If you're experiencing discomfort or pain in your feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to determine the type of custom orthotics you may need. 

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, 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 Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

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

Gout, a form of arthritis, is a painful condition that can strike suddenly and severely. It happens as a result of the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints and often leads to inflammation and intense discomfort. Primary gout results from genetic factors. This can cause the body's overproduction of uric acid or a decreased ability to excrete it, which can affect joints like the ankle and big toe. Secondary gout is caused by underlying conditions, such as kidney disease, hypertension, or obesity. These hinder the body's ability to manage uric acid levels. Gout that occurs suddenly in a single joint is referred to as acute gout and generally affects the big toe. This form of gout is characterized by excruciating pain, redness, and swelling. If left untreated, acute gout can progress into chronic gout and lead to recurrent, long-lasting joint pain and deformities. Identifying the specific type and underlying causes of gout is essential for devising an effective treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, medications, and dietary adjustments. If you have had one or frequent gout attacks, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist. This type of doctor can accurately determine which type of gout is present and offer the correct treatment methods.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment 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 care needs.

Sever's disease, which is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common ailment affecting young athletes. This condition arises during the child's growth spurt years when the heel bone's growth plate becomes inflamed as a result of repetitive stress. Sporting activities involving running and jumping can exacerbate the condition. The intensity of physical activity, coupled with the bones growing at different rates, puts strain on the developing heel. The result is pain and tenderness that can disrupt a young athlete's active life. Thankfully, effective treatments exist. Rest and activity modification can help to alleviate pressure, in addition to elevating the affected foot. Performing stretching exercises that target calf muscles and wearing supportive, cushioned footwear also can aid in recovery. Consulting a podiatrist is important for an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan. With appropriate care, Sever's disease can be managed, ensuring a smoother journey toward adulthood's peak physical performance. If your child has heel pain, it is suggested that you consult this type of doctor who can treat Sever’s disease.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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