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Home BlogHeel Pain (Page 4)

Category: Heel Pain

25Apr

A bone spur is unlikely to disappear on its own once it has formed. However, this does not imply that you have to put up with the discomfort. That is because the Houston foot doctor can provide pain relief without having to undergo bone spur surgery. Let’s take a deeper look at how everything works.

Read More “Is It Possible To Get Rid Of A Bone Spur Without Surgery?”
14Feb

Heel pain is a common foot problem described as pain or discomfort experienced anywhere in the rear of the foot. It is estimated that every year around two million Americans suffer from heel pain, with athletes and seniors being the usual victims. While heel pain may be prevalent in the general population, it is not in any way normal. Neglect to any heel pain symptom can lead to bigger problems such as reduced mobility and capacity to enjoy life.

Read More “What Causes Heel Pain?”
17Jul

Woman removing high heels to prevent foot damage from stilettos. Statistics show that one of the major factors leading to foot problems is wearing high heels. A third of the women suffer from permanent problems due to prolonged wear of high heels. High heels are fashionable, make you feel sexier and taller, but impaired stability increases the risk of forefoot injury, toe injury, heel pain, foot arch strain, sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis, posture, and gait problems. In addition, there is excess stress placed on the lower extremities and back and affects the balance, posture, and gait.

Read More “Preventing Damage from High Heels”
Dr. Ejodamen B Shobowale, DPM, smiling in a white coat at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center.
19Apr

Modern medDr. Ejodamen B Shobowale, DPM, smiling in a white coat at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. icine is attractive; there is a specialist for every part of the body. The feet are not an exception and you need a podiatrist to keep them fully functional.  If you are certain of what you want, seek a specialist for your foot issues. Podiatrists are masters who deal with problems affecting lower legs and the feet. Foot injuries and conditions vary; some podiatrists specialize in sports injury, biomechanical, surgery among other conditions while others specialize in more than one condition. Podiatric medical schools are responsible for training, followed by years of residency training. Podiatrists prescribe drugs, do surgeries, order lab tests, reset broken bones and order x-rays.

If you are looking for some expert advice on foot and ankle issues, you may want to seek help from the best podiatrist in Houston. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our Houston foot doctor. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet

What to consider when choosing a  podiatrist.

Experience

Find one who specializes in medical and surgical services if you need, both administrations in your foot issues. An experienced podiatry expert comes up with the best diagnosis and the right treatment choices for foot pains and conditions. It’s critical to check how long they have been in the industry. A few conditions are intricate you need a specialist who can treat complex issues of the feet and one who has the right treatment approach.

Look for references

Get your friends, family members, and relatives to seek reviews of an experienced podiatrist in Houston. The best individual to tell would be one who has endured foot pain or foot injury. The numerous opinions you seek the better for you to compare and decide on the best.

Should emphasize the significance of orthotics

The best podiatrists understand the importance of orthotics. This is because they correct various foot conditions before they become complex. Proper utilization of proper shoe inserts can deal with plantar fasciitis.

Convenience

There are a few interesting points when searching for a podiatrist who will work with you. Part of getting the right treatment depends on if the doctors working hours fit your schedule and do they accept your health insurance. You need to spare each penny in your pocket and getting specialist who acknowledges your medical coverage is vital. Where is the doctor located? Is it accessible by you?

Existing medical condition

Some ailments most likely cause foot conditions. Settle for a foot doctor who is familiar with foot complications that come from pre-existing conditions such as diabetes.

Why do you need to see a podiatrist?

  1. If you start running regularly, have your feet assessed to get recommendations for the right athletic shoe.
  2. If you notice peeling or scaling of the feet.
  3. III. When you experience joint pain in the ankles, heels, and feet, especially if they are red, delicate, swollen or tender and they limit daily activities.
  4. If you are diabetic, you are susceptible to foot problems. Make a podiatrist visits part of your health care routine to avoid complications which can result in amputation.
  5. If you have discolored or thick, or stubborn ingrown toenails.
  6. If you suspect you might have suffered a broken bone, sprain or strain.
  7. VII. If you have wart-like growths
  8. VIII. If you have a callus or corns that are bothersome.
  9. If you notice cuts or cracks on the skin.
  10. If you have athlete’s foot that doesn’t improve after some.

What to expect on your visit to the Houston foot doctor?

The principal visit resembles other specialist’s visit, the podiatrist will ask questions about medical history; mention medications you are on and medical procedures you have undergone.

Assessment of your walk, stand, range of motion and your shoe fit. A podiatrist treats ingrown toenails, bunions, lower back pain, heel pain, foot deformities and blood circulation to your feet for diabetic patients. The podiatrist can recommend physical therapy, orthotics or padding.

Most importantly, choose a podiatrist you are comfortable with. The feet are a very important part of your body. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Houston, TX. Our Houston foot specialist can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We offer the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot and ankle related issues.

Illustration of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in feet.
23Feb

foot arthritisThe inflammation of one or more joints causes pain and stiffness common in arthritis in foot. Many forms of arthritis that affect the foot, making it difficult to enjoy activities such as walking. The foot has more than 30 joints and 28 bones which allow movement. The joints are covered with articulate cartilage, which helps the bones to glide over each other, a thin lining surrounding the joints that produce a lubricant fluid to reduce friction. Studies have shown great connections between foot alignment, hip, and knee. Hip osteoarthritis is common among high arched feet people while knee osteoarthritis is common with flat-footed people. With proper treatment, it is possible to lead a fulfilling and active life.

Psoriatic arthritis

This is the inflammation of the tendons and ligaments attached to the bones, causing foot joint pain especially the toes. They cause sausage-like swelling. The irritation happens in the tissue that connects the heel bone and toes, which cause pain when rubbed or pressed on other bones.

Symptoms

  • Heel pain that is easily confused with the Achilles tendon.
  • Swelling of the toes.
  • Stiff ankles and feet.
  • Overextended big toe
  • Painful calluses and sore joints.
  • Bending toes looking shorter like claws.
  • The skin around the affected joints turns purplish.
  • Flattening arch which leads to rolling of the foot inward while walking or standing.
  • The tendency of joints to lock and limit the range of motion.
  • Foot swelling.
  • Difficulty and pain while walking after a long period of rest or in the morning.

Maintain mobility by taking physiotherapy or wearing shoes that do not pinch and bind areas of inflammation. Take foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber such as oatmeal, beans, and brown rice, and take green tea to reduce inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis feet

Joint inflammation in multiple joints of the feet and hands is a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. It is considered symmetrical because it affects the same joints on both sides of the body and it is autoimmune. This means that the immune system attacks its tissues such as the thin lining covering the joints causing them to swell. The lining, in turn, attacks cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones leading to disability and deformity.

Over 85% of patients report painful ankles and feet, causing instability in hindfoot causing deformation of the forefoot. Correcting the plantar stabilizes the ankle and foot, reducing foot deformities and walking disabilities.

The function of footwear in arthritis in feet

Footwear is an effective strategy to improve the function of the feet and reduce pain in arthritis. Women are at greater risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis while the use of high heels shoes has been implicated. Contrary to belief, high heeled shoes do not promote joint degeneration, though they have been associated with the development of foot pain. Arthritis in the foot is prevalent in older people and it increases with age. High heels, slippers, and sandals are poor shoes that cause foot pain in later years, it is advisable to wear average shoes. Poor shoes contribute to poor foot alignment and development.

The foot pain has a modifiable factor, especially if it affects the extremity joint alignment, though little focus is made on foot interventions. Footwear and orthotics interventions are important in foot health. Biomechanical evidence indicates that footwear plays a significant role in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the foot, knee, and hip and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A running shoe-shaped toe rocker sole reduces foot joint pain by decreasing forefoot loading by promoting a normal heel-toe rolling. Custom made foot orthotics reduce pain, increase stride length and steps. Specialized footwear reduces is an effective non-surgical intervention for the feet affected by arthritis.

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

Close-up of red, sore heels indicating running injury or plantar fasciitis.
4Feb

What Causes Running Injuries?

More than fifty percent of runners suffer from an injury every year. Every elite runner knows that being sidelined for running injuries, especially heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, and the plantar fasciitis, is disappointing. People think running injuries occur because they increased the distance or intensity, or they did not stretch before and after running among other reasons. Some of these reasons aggravate an already underlying problem.

Most injuries are due to biochemical imbalance which causes the breakdown of the body due to subjective repetitive load causes. Biochemical imbalances cause muscle weakness and other imbalances that cause running injuries include

foot pain

Muscle Flexibility Imbalances

A tight muscle is a common reason for a running injury. It is very possible to do a few stretches and get back running without pain. Simple, right! No, it’s not because the stretches help you re-align a muscle or tissue and you are back running again. The main question is what was the cause of the tight muscle? First, you need to find out why the muscle is overworking or tightening because stretching is a temporal solution. A tight hamstring may be as a result of weak abdominal muscles or glute muscle. These might be forcing the hamstring to compensate and with a few stretches you do not solve the weak abs or glutes and the problem might recur.

Soft Tissue Imbalances

This is complex, but changes in muscle tension can trigger points of fascia tightness. Muscle tension affects how the body functions, but with regular massage, the muscles relax.

Structural Imbalances

The body is not perfectly symmetrical; that is the right side of the body is not the same as the left side. People who cope well have minor asymmetries of the body depending on the number of differences. Others have severe structural imbalances that need more attention to avoid overstraining causing injuries from time to time.  

Muscle Strength Imbalances

For optimal functioning of the body, a balance between the inside and outside, the right and left side, the bottom and top, and the front and back of the body should be maintained. If the muscles of the right leg are weaker the muscles of the left leg will have difficulties. Unfortunately, there is never enough exercise to strengthen your muscles as you would expect. It is important to note that every joint in your body is affected when you work on one muscle. Effective muscle exercises need to be tailored individually for running purposes.

Some common running injuries include

Plantar fasciitis

This is an irritation of the fibrous tissue at the base of the heel due to forced strain on the plantar fascia. One experiences an arch pain or heel pain and the foot hurts with every step making running very difficult. This injury is common with runners who have very low or very high arches because the plantar fascia is forced to stretch. The pain caused by plantar fasciitis can continue for months and even years before completely healing so it should be treated as soon as possible.

Achilles tendon pain

The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon connecting the back of the heel and calf muscles. The Achilles tendon injury is the painful inflammation of the tendon. The pain is common in the morning or with activity. Avoid training amidst this injury because the pain will eventually hinder the ability to jog lightly. Runners who have tight, weak calves are vulnerable to this injury.

Choosing the right running shoe is one of the protective ways in which runners can safeguard themselves from injuries. Correct your biomechanics to decrease the probability of injuries.