Items filtered by date: March 2022

Many people enjoy running, and it can be an important part of achieving fitness goals. Research has shown the significance of stretching and warming up for an adequate amount of time before running is started. This may be helpful in preventing running injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and shin splints. Wearing the correct shoes may minimize the chances of getting injured. In addition, getting a physical examination before a running regime is started is a good idea. Many runners identify their running goals, which can help them to gradually increase their mileage and speed. If you would like more information about how running injuries can affect the feet, and how to prevent them, please speak with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that impacts one joint at a time, usually the big toe joint, lesser toe joints, the ankle, and/or the knee. This type of arthritis is caused by a condition called hyperuricemia, where too much uric acid in the body leads to the build-up of uric acid crystals in joints, fluids, and tissues in the body. Hyperuricemia is more apt to develop in males, those who are obese, those with health conditions – such as congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or diabetes – and those taking certain medications, like diuretics. Gout does not always develop from hyperuricemia, but if it does, it can flare up and be intensely painful (with swelling and redness). An episode of gout can have a sudden onset and last from days to weeks. Though there is no cure for gout, it can be treated and managed with proper care. If gout is suspected in the toes, a podiatrist can perform tests to confirm the diagnosis, treat it (often with medication) and help manage future bouts of the condition.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

The foot condition known as cracked heels can develop for several reasons. These can include a vitamin deficiency, being overweight, and certain fungal conditions. Additionally, people who are diabetic may be more likely to experience cracked heels. This may be a result from a lack of circulation that can often accompany diabetes. Fissures, which are deep cracks in the skin, can cause significant pain and discomfort. Relief may be found when shoes that are worn have a closed back. Additionally, patients have found their skin may soften when a good moisturizer is applied, and it may help to avoid being barefoot. Drinking plenty of fresh water daily may help to reduce the risk of developing cracked heels. If you would like more information about how to prevent the onset of cracked heels, please confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with proper knowledge.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

Warts on the sole of your foot or toes, known as plantar warts or verrucas, are caused by a viral infection of the skin. The virus enters your body through a cut, scrape, or other small opening in the skin and produces one or more grainy, flesh-colored warts with small black dots in the center. Most warts are painless, though some may be uncomfortable if they are located on a weight-bearing area, like the heel or ball of the foot. Fortunately, most plantar warts go away on their own, but this can take quite some time, ranging from months to years. To speed up recovery, you may wish to seek treatment from a podiatrist. It is also a good idea to consult with a podiatrist if you have a medical condition like diabetes or immune insufficiency, which can make plantar warts a more serious concern. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest 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 our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Overpronation refers to the feet rolling excessively inward during walking or running. This results in more weight being placed on the inner side of the foot, which can eventually cause foot pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, shin splints, stress fractures, and more. Overpronation itself usually has a gradual onset and can be caused by a variety of biomechanical distortions in the foot and ankle. These include having flat feet, knock knees, excess weight, or weakness in the tibialis posterior muscle or the ligaments that support the feet. If you are suffering from foot pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. 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 Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.