Items filtered by date: January 2023

It is well documented that working on the feet throughout the workday can put the feet at risk of developing some kind of affliction or condition, especially if they are not being taken care of. However, in addition to working on the feet all day, individuals who sit down at a desk for the majority of the workday can also pose risks to their feet. These office workers might be reducing the extent to which their feet can facilitate good blood circulation when they sit all day at the desk. To prevent this, an office worker might consider going on brief walks throughout the day to keep the feet and body engaged and in motion. The proven benefits associated with taking brief walking breaks are considerable. If you have questions or want to improve balancing work and your foot health, consider contacting a podiatrist today.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The medical name for the foot condition known as Sever’s disease is called calcaneal apophysitis. It can be a common ailment among physically active children and young teenagers, and it affects the growth plate in the heel. It happens because of changes that occur where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone. This tendon is located in the lower half of the calf and overuse of the heel may cause pain while the cartilage changes to bone. Symptoms that often accompany this condition can include heel pain during physical activity and there may be a tendency to limp or tiptoe. Treatment often begins with temporarily stopping the activity that caused the condition and limiting the amount of weight that is put on the foot. It may be beneficial to perform specific stretches that can strengthen the entire foot and this can help accelerate the recovery time. If you notice your child is limping, please consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose Sever's disease and offer the correct treatment options.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. 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 Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Hammertoe is a foot condition that causes the toes to jut upward at the joint. Typically, the toe will point upwards at the middle joint. Hammertoe is distinct but similar to a related foot condition that is known as claw toe. Hammertoe and claw toe are similar because they both affect the toes of the feet. Claw toe causes an individual’s toes to curl underneath their feet. However, they differ in that hammertoe causes part of the toe to point upwards, while claw toe causes the toes to point or curl downwards. There are two types of claw toe: flexible and rigid claw toe. Flexible claw toe is the earlier phase of the condition when the toes still remain flexible. However, rigid claw toe is typically the later phase of this condition where the toes are no longer flexible. If you are concerned about hammertoe or claw toe, contact a podiatrist today.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Having flat feet is a foot condition that affects groups of people from all walks of life. The majority of babies are born having little or no arch, and will generally normalize during the teenage years. Adults who retain this condition may have a genetic predisposition and may find relief in wearing custom-made orthotics. Flat feet is an ailment that is obvious. It is evident while standing on the floor, and noticing the foot lies completely flat. Some people have specific symptoms from this, including calf and shin pain, possibly limiting the type of activities that are pursued. Conversely, many people have no pain with flat feet but may realize their feet and legs can tire easily. If you have flat feet, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can regularly monitor this condition, and offer you correct relief options, if applicable.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Senior citizens can be particularly susceptible to developing health problems from tripping or falling. Often, this is related to the health of the feet because tripping may negatively impact foot health, or the fall may be caused by poor foot strength. One important aspect of preventing falls among seniors is keeping a tidy bathroom. Often, floors in bathrooms can be very slippery, either from shower water or water from the sink. This might be setting seniors up for a nasty tumble. Seniors can be diligent about keeping their bathroom floors clean and, most importantly, dry so as not to make the floor slippery. Another way to prevent trips and falls in the bathroom is to install bathroom grab bars that seniors can grab onto if they feel like they might fall. These might be especially helpful when lifting one’s body off the toilet or maneuvering in and out of the shower. If you have any more questions or concerns about preventing falls among seniors, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.