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foot pain
4Feb

What Causes ?

More than fifty percent of runners suffer from an injury every year. Every elite runner knows that being sidelined for running injuries, especially , , and the , 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 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 is the strongest and thickest tendon connecting the back of the heel and calf muscles. The is the painful 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.

hammertoe
20Jan

Hammertoe: Insight

Hammer can be defined as a condition of foot deformity meaning a painful foot condition in which the toes curl and arch up that leads to heavy pain when wearing footwear. usually affects the second and third toe of the feet. Hammer toe can be diagnosed by doing a set of physical examination of the feet.

hammertoe

Cause of Hammer Toe

Most commonly a hammer toe occurs when the middle joint of the toe becomes bent or flexed downwards.

General Causes include

  • Pressure from
  • Tightened ligaments
  • Arthritis
  • Traumatic
  • Damage in the spinal cord or peripheral nerve

 

Symptoms of hammer toe

Hammer toe is bound to give an uneasy while walking. It causes unbearable pain if intended to stretch the toe.

  • Bending toe
  • Calluses or corns
  • Toe looking like claw
  • Inability to flex the toe
  • Adapting difficulty in walking

 

hammer

Is surgery required for hammer toe?

Hammer can never be the primary option. Hammer can be of different categories it may cause mild or severe. If there is severe hammer toe then hammer toe surgery is required. The best way to judge is to visit a doctor as soon as you feel uneasy.

Hammer toe surgery should be opted out in these basic following options

Doctors prescribe Hammer toe surgery in severe conditions such as joint toe fusion and joint resection or even if you have swollen toes.

Hammer toe surgery is considered to be the least choice left for any hammer toe patient. Therefore it is of utmost importance to meet a doctor as soon as possible because a mild hammer toe condition can also lead to serious mishaps. In case the doctors recommend doing a Hammer toe surgery then it may be simply out of a failure in responding to treatments.

How can hammer toe be treated?

Hammer toe can be cured by wearing appropriate footwear and wearing properly fitting shoes. Mainly the high arch toe condition is caused by wearing toe pads that do not fit better. Correct toe pads shift the toe position that relieves the toe for getting overlapped from pressure.

Hammer toe treatment can be done using over the counter cushions, , corns, and medications. Applying over the counter creams provides relief to blistering infections, and an ice pack can be used as Hammer toe treatment as well.

Preventive measures for hammer toe

Hammer toe problems in most cases have found out to be either from or chronically using tight pointed shoes. 

Eventually, a hammer toe can be avoided by taking certain stringent changes in your daily routine.

  • Must avoid wearing shoes that are tight and narrow or don’t fit well. An especially woman who wears heels up to 6 inches must cut it down to 2 inches.
  • Choose shoes that are much wider from the tip that gives you ½ inch between the end of the longest toe and inside the tip of the show.
achilles tendon
14Jan

Understanding the

The achilles tendon is known to be the largest tendon in your body that extends from calf muscles to the bones of the heel. You can feel it at the back of your ankle and above your heel. To feel the achilles tendon at work, while on your feet, point your toes to the floor and raise the tips of your toes. Injuries to this tendon are often associated with mild or moderate pain or sudden stiffness in that part of the leg. In severe cases of , it may be because the tendon is torn or possibly ruptured. 

achilles tendon

Causes of Injuries To The Achilles Tendon

The injury is common if someone is engaging in activities that require quick sprints, slow downs or pivots. Some of these activities are dancing, football, tennis, volleyball, softball, gymnastics, running, etc. Furthermore, repetitive strain of achilles tendon have been known to be a common cause of injury to the achilles tendon.

The achilles tendon connects to the achilles heel. The achilles heel bone can become tender with age and this increases the probability of an injury to the bone or tendon. This scenario is typically more severe for athletes that participate in quick movement sports.

How to prevent a to the achilles tendon?

To prevent an , some measures can be taken:

Daily stretching – It is necessary to stretch the calf muscles and achilles tendon daily to prevent injuries to this part of the leg. This will also improve your flexibility. 

  • Increase activity level slowly – With regular physical activity, the likelihood of experiencing pain from achilles tendon is very slim
  • Strengthen calf muscles – Strong muscles help the calf and achilles tendon to handle sudden stress caused by exercise or similar activities.  
  • Take it easy – Try to keep away from activities that can cause stress to your calf muscles and achilles tendon. Warm-up first before you try any strenuous activity.  
  • Choose shoes carefully – Choose the right shoes when exercising. Choose shoes that have suitable cushioning to reduce stress to your feet. Replace worn-out shoes. Finally, if the shoe is not comfortable, do not use it to exercise. 

If you are dealing with Achilles tendonitis, the following steps can help alleviate the pain:

  1. Rest the injured leg as much as you can and do not put weight on the leg. 
  2. Ice it for at least twenty minutes and also do some stretches to avoid pain from the tendon.
  3. Compress your injured leg with the help of elastic bandages around the lower leg and  ankle to reduce the chances of .
  4. You can take anti-inflammatory medicines which should help with pain and swelling. Take medicine only after consulting with a physician as it is necessary to use the right dosage
  5. While resting, try elevating your leg to get some relief.
  6. Try wearing heel lifts. Heel lifts in shoes give relief from pain.
footdoc1
5Jan

Modern-day medicine field has advanced greatly and it is possible to get a doctor or specialists from head to problems. Never make the mistake of overlooking your feet. Instead, it is necessary to keep it healthy and well nurtured. It shall contribute it having fully functional feet. and related problems are common to occur. This is when you want to see a . With plenty of options of available, choosing the right one for the right care may be confusing. Below are mentioned some of the things to look that shall guide you to choose the best podiatrist.

footdoc1

Experience of the podiatrist

Instead of visiting a random clinic for your foot pain, it is better to consult an experienced one. If you are suffering from the problem for the first time, run a background check of the podiatrist’s experience before seeking medical assistance. In this regard, there are several options for choosing a foot doctor. The doctors are the experienced ones that offer quality service. Soon after the symptoms show up, consult the to get immediate care and nurturing for your feet.

Look for the referred doctors

Check with one of the referred foot doctors in Houston Texas to get a suitable service for your foot pain. Instead of choosing a random service, try to go by reference ensuring quality medical service. Go by references from your friends or family and make comparisons before you choose the right one.

Consider your medical condition

A houston foot specialist will examine your medical condition before you apply any medicine or medical treatment. But there are some medical conditions that can have a negative impact on your foot pain problem. Even if you are under any prior medication, discuss it in detail with your doctor before he or she prescribes a new one. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that you settle down for an experienced doctor who can address your complications correctly one go. Slight delay in treatment can often make the foot pain issue the worst one.

Specialization of the podiatrist

If you wish to choose any podiatrists in Houston, make sure that the person is specialized in offering your suitable solution for foot pain problems. Some podiatrists are known to have specialization in sports injury, bio-mechanical and the like. When consulting with the doctor for the first time, try to know about his or her specialization for better results. Your inquisitiveness shall help you choose the right podiatrist to help you get rid of foot pain.

Convenience of getting the right treatment

Even if the doctor is an experienced one, you have to check whether it will be convenient for you to visit the doctor considering your foot condition. In this regard, you have to consider how quickly and easily you can get medical help. For choosing the doctor near you, never make the mistake of seeking help from an inexperienced one. This will result in a negative impact. 

drop foot
30Dec

which is also known as drop foot is a difficulty in which an individual is unable to drop the front part of the foot. While walking, the front part of the foot may drag on the ground. It is not a disease but a neurological problem or anatomical problem. It can be both permanent and temporary. Depending on the intensity of the problem, you may have to wear a brace on your foot and ankle that shall help to hold your foot in position. 

drop foot

What are the causes of foot drop?

Foot drop is caused by paralysis of muscles that help in lifting the front part of the foot. There are several causes of foot drop, and some of them are mentioned below.

  • Nerve injury – Foot drop is caused by compression of a nerve in leg that controls the muscles that contribute to lifting the front part of the foot. In case, the nerve gets injured during knee replacement and the like, it also results in problems like foot drop. Other than this, nerve root injury, which is also known as the , can be considered as foot drop causes. The nerve disorder is more common in the one with diabetes. 
  • Brain and spinal cord disorders – Any disorder affecting the brain or spinal cord such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS multiple strokes or like may often result in foot drop problem.
  • Muscle or nerve disorders – Forms of muscular dystrophy is an inherited disease that causes muscle weakness, and it may also result in foot drop. Even order disorders like polio can also result in nerve disorders.

What are the symptoms of foot drop?

Due to foot drop, one cannot drop the front part of the foot. In such cases, he or she might have to drag the foot on the floor. For this, you have to raise your thigh when walking. Also, you may have to slap your foot down due to this neurological problem. In some cases, the top of your skin of the and foot may feel numb. So, depending on the cause, it will affect your foot.

How should foot drop be treated?

For , you should not delay once you notice the symptoms. It is better to get the problem diagnosed at its initial stages. Also, the treatment will depend on the cause of the neurological problem. With successful and early diagnosis, it can improve or even disappear and never come back. In case, the cause of the disease can be treated, it may become a permanent problem. Some of the treatment methods include the following. 

  • Braces or splints 

The foot drop brace is useful when you wear them on your ankle or foot. It should fit into your shoe that shall help to hold your foot in a proper position. 

  • Physical therapy 

Some proper can also help to get rid of the foot drop issue. You can practice exercises that help strengthen leg muscles and maintain the range of movement of the ankle and knee. This shall further help to improve that are related to foot drop.

  • Nerve stimulation 

The foot drop nerve stimulation is important as it helps lift your foot and improves the problem of foot drop. 

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

Footrub
29Dec

It is a commonly observed notion that many people experience foot or ankle pain at some point of time. Regularly exercising and keeping the foot muscles strong can alleviate soreness and improve overall health and flexibility. Pursuing doesn’t involve the requirement of complicated equipment. They can be done at home or in the gym as part of a regular exercise regime. Exercises that improve your range of motion may also drastically reduce the chances of getting hurt. Interestingly, with the help of these exercises, you can also improve your strength for lifelong .

Footrub

Exercises to relieve

To be precise, tendonitis is a common cause of pain around the back of the foot. Tendonitis can also arise from the damage to the tendons. Note that the personal tendons are usually strong and have cord-like structures. This links the peroneal muscles of the calf to the bones of the foot. By practicing foot exercises for tendonitis, one can increase synthesis of collagen and improve the organization of muscle fiber. The treatment for tendonitis also includes the RICE principle. Here is the list of some exercises which comes handy during tendonitis.

  • Towel Stretch

Stretching the foot muscles may decrease your pain and improve the healing of a peroneal tendon injury. You can perform this stretch by sitting on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you.

  • Inversion and Eversion

With the help of inversion and eversion, one can maintain the flexibility of the ankle. As the peroneal tendon helps assist in turning the foot in all directions. However, during this stretch, ensure that you don’t do any movement which causes pain.

Standing calf raise

It is one of those which is quite effective to relieve pain. While pursuing this exercise, you have to raise one calf by emphasizing on the big . This would also enable you to build arch strength. While doing this exercise, you have to stand with shoulder-width apart.

Stretching your Achilles tendons to increase your flexibility

Stretching your Achilles tendons is one of the preliminary foot exercises arthritis. It can help increase your mobility and flexibility. Good exercises involve stretching your feet along with the Achilles tendons so that pain can be alleviated. It is interesting to note that a good exercise for arthritic feet is to wiggle your toes.

Practicing exercises after

To be frank, foot surgery can cause you to miss your usual workouts. This is why exercising on a regular basis would help your feet. For instances, by practicing stretches, you can recover greatly from surgery. You can also undertake yoga sessions to ensure that your muscles are in working condition. Experts from the site https://www.squarehospital.com/buy-levitra-online/ established that some drugs can affect the metabolism of Levitra, and therefore patients should consult a doctor if they are prescribed a new drug. One of the great exercises after foot surgery is to swim. It is also a great aerobic exercise without putting any weight on your foot.

Thus, by practicing the above-mentioned exercises, you can alleviate . However, it is always a good option to seek your doctor’s suggestion. If you have any questions, or need to see a foot doctor in Houston, please contact our office in the Houston, TX area. Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions.