Items filtered by date: July 2024

Foot exercises are more than just stretching. They're key to maintaining overall foot health. Whether you suffer from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or just want to prevent future issues, these exercises can be a game-changer. By strengthening muscles and improving flexibility, foot exercises help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with common ailments. They also enhance balance and stability, crucial for maintaining an active lifestyle. Regular foot exercises can significantly reduce the risk of injuries, especially for athletes and those who spend long hours on their feet. Additionally, they promote circulation and may even improve posture. However, it's important to tailor exercises to your specific needs and consult with a podiatrist before starting any new regimen. Their expertise ensures you're targeting the right areas and avoiding potential pitfalls. So, lace up your shoes, stretch those toes, and consider scheduling a check-up with a podiatrist to keep your feet in top condition. Your feet will thank you!

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the 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.

Great ways to stretch your feet:

• 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 offices located in Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, and Sachse, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to redness, swelling, and tenderness, often causing incredibly painful. Common causes include improper trimming, wearing tight footwear, or injury. Symptoms may worsen if left untreated, potentially leading to infection. Initial treatment involves soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail edge with a clean instrument to reduce pressure. Avoid cutting the nail yourself, as this can invite infection and make it worse. Wearing comfortable shoes and practicing proper nail care can help to prevent recurrence. For persistent pain, signs of infection like pus, or increased redness, it is important to consult a podiatrist. They can provide professional care, including minor surgical procedures to remove the ingrown portion of the nail and prevent future problems. If you have an ingrown toenail, It is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an expert evaluation and tailored treatment plan to alleviate ingrown toenails effectively.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot 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 Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, and Sachse, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Minor foot surgery encompasses a range of procedures aimed at addressing common foot problems with minimal invasiveness. These surgeries are often performed to correct issues like ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, and plantar warts. Ingrown toenail surgery involves removing part or all of the affected nails to relieve pain and prevent infection. Bunion surgery, or a bunionectomy, involves realigning the bone, ligaments, and tendons to correct the deformity. Hammertoe surgery aims to straighten the bent toe by removing a portion of the bone or releasing the tendon. Plantar wart removal can be performed using various methods, including excision, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. These procedures are typically done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, allowing for quick recovery and minimal downtime. If you have any sort of foot problem, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. After a thorough examination and imaging tests, the best treatment, which may include minor surgery, will be discussed.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot Specialists. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, and Sachse, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Yoga can significantly enhance circulation, promoting better blood flow and overall health. Specific poses, like the headstand, legs up the wall, and head-to-knee pose, are particularly beneficial. The headstand pose helps improve circulation by reversing the effects of gravity, encouraging blood flow to the upper body and brain. Legs up the wall pose aids in reducing swelling and fatigue by allowing blood to flow back toward the heart, which is especially helpful for those who spend long periods sitting or standing. The head-to-knee pose stretches the hamstrings and stimulates blood flow to the lower extremities, improving flexibility and circulation. Regular practice of these poses can help alleviate symptoms of poor circulation, such as swelling and cold feet, by enhancing blood flow and promoting overall vascular health. If you have symptoms of poor circulation in your feet that can include tingling sensations or discoloration, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can discuss specific yoga poses and other stretches for possible relief.

While poor circulation itself isn’t a condition; it is a symptom of another underlying health condition you may have. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can potentially lead to poor circulation in the lower extremities. PAD is a condition that causes the blood vessels and arteries to narrow. In a linked condition called atherosclerosis, the arteries stiffen up due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries and blood vessels. These two conditions can cause a decrease in the amount of blood that flows to your extremities, therefore resulting in pain.

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of poor circulation are:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs
• Pain
• Muscle Cramps

Treatment for poor circulation often depends on the underlying condition that causes it. Methods for treatment may include insulin for diabetes, special exercise programs, surgery for varicose veins, or compression socks for swollen legs.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, and Sachse, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Diabetic foot ulcers are categorized into three main types, which are neuropathic, ischemic, and neuroischemic. Neuropathic ulcers develop due to nerve damage, leading to a loss of sensation and unnoticed injuries. Ischemic ulcers result from poor blood circulation, reducing the body's ability to heal. Neuroischemic ulcers combine both nerve damage and poor circulation, making them particularly challenging to treat. These ulcers develop because high blood sugar levels impair circulation and nerve function, increasing the risk of infection. Effective wound care involves maintaining strict blood sugar control, keeping the ulcer clean, and using appropriate dressings to promote healing. Regular foot inspections are essential to detect issues early. Specialized footwear or orthotics can relieve pressure on the ulcer. Severe cases may require medical interventions, such as debridement or surgery. If you have diabetes and have developed a foot wound, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can provide you with the care and advice that is needed.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, and Sachse, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.