Items filtered by date: August 2022

There are certain risk factors associated with developing heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis (damage/inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot). Any repeated stress or strain on this connective tissue—being overweight, running excessively, standing while working, having high arches or flat feet, over-pronating when you walk, etc.—can lead to the development of this condition. You can often distinguish plantar fasciitis pain from other types of heel pain because it is worse when you take your first steps in the morning. The pain may subside after you move around for a while but usually comes back later in the day. A podiatrist is highly skilled and experienced at spotting and treating plantar fasciitis, as it is the most common form of heel pain. They have various effective methods of repairing the plantar fascia, reducing inflammation, and eliminating pain. Make an appointment with your local podiatrist if you are experiencing heel pain to have your condition diagnosed and treated properly. 

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Geller Foot Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lathrup Village, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are basic things you can do as a runner to prevent running injuries and maintain peak performance levels. Choosing the proper footwear should be your first step. When you shop for running shoes, take a few things into consideration, such as the type of surface you’ll be running on, your style of running, and your overall fitness goals. Have your feet measured every time you buy a new pair of running shoes to ensure a proper fit, and make sure you break in the shoes before training in them. Do regular strengthening exercises to build up muscles in your feet, which can help avoid injuries from occurring as well. Keep your feet dry while running to avoid blisters and athlete’s foot by wearing moisture-wicking socks. Your toenails should be trimmed so that they do not press against the tip of your shoes, but be mindful about trimming them too short (in order to avoid an ingrown toenail). After a run, consider massaging and icing your feet to reduce any swelling and help your muscles recover. A podiatrist can offer many more tips on footwear and preventing running injuries, as well as fit you for custom orthotics to address alignment/gait issues, and treat any foot or ankle pain you may have.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Geller Foot Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lathrup Village, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A variety of individuals across the country may exhibit poor circulation in their feet at some point in their lives. Poor circulation is essentially caused when the feet do not receive adequate blood flow. Certain individuals are more susceptible to this condition than others, such as those who have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a habit of smoking cigarettes. There are a number of signs that can point to poor circulation in the feet. First, if you have poor circulation, the temperature of your feet might be manipulated. For example, your feet may feel colder than usual. Additionally, you might lose feeling in your feet, experiencing numbness of some kind. If you are suffering from poor circulation in the feet, it is possible that you might even notice hair loss around the feet area. If you discover that the skin on your feet has become significantly cracked and the toenails have become brittle, this might be another sign of poor circulation to the feet. If you are exhibiting these signs, consider consulting with a podiatrist to determine whether or not you are suffering from poor circulation. Together, you can draw up a plan to address the problem and increase blood flow to your feet.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Geller Foot Clinic. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
• Numbness or cramping in the legs 
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

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 office located in Lathrup Village, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails are very uncomfortable afflictions of the feet. Usually affecting the big toe, ingrown toenails occur when the side of a toenail essentially grows into the skin surrounding the nail. As a result, the skin then covers the nail partially or completely at the side of the nail. Ingrown toenails can be very painful. This pain is only exacerbated if the ingrown toenail becomes infected, which can lead to redness and swelling in the affected area. There are several steps that you can take to prevent an ingrown toenail. For example, you can make sure that you are properly cutting your nails to keep them at an appropriate length, neither too long nor too short. You also could keep them cut in an appropriate shape, straight cut at the top instead of curved. You might even be sure that the shoes that you typically wear are spacious enough in the toe box and do not press against your toes. If you have an ingrown toenail or are concerned about getting one, consult with a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Geller Foot Clinic. 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 office located in Lathrup Village, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is a type of arthritis that presents sudden episodes of severe pain and swelling in the joints, often in the big toe. Range of motion in the big toe may become limited. Those with gout frequently experience flare-ups at night. Gout is the result of uric acid accumulating in the blood from purines in food, which triggers a buildup of crystals in joints. Diets rich in purines can lead to gout flares. There is uric acid medicine for this condition. However, it is best to manage symptoms through following a purine-restricted diet. Foods that are high in purines include shellfish, veal, venison, liver and other organ meats, alcoholic beverages – especially beer, kidney beans, lentils, and spinach. Those with gout should limit protein consumption overall and try to include plant-based sources of protein in their diets. If you experience periodic pain in your big toe and think you might have gout, consult with a podiatrist who can help you better understand and manage this condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Geller Foot Clinic. 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 office located in Lathrup Village, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.