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Home Tag: "heel pain" (Page 8)

Tag: heel pain

Close-up of toes with hammertoe deformity on sandy surface.
20Jan

Hammertoe: Insight

Hammer toe 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. Hammer toe 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.

Close-up of toes with hammertoe deformity on sandy surface.

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 bunion
  • Tightened ligaments
  • Arthritis
  • Traumatic toe injury
  • Damage in the spinal cord or peripheral nerve

 

Symptoms of hammer toe

Hammer toe is bound to give an uneasy discomfort 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 toe surgery 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

  • Active infection
  • Poor health condition
  • Poor blood circulation in the feet.

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, bunions, 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 family history 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.
Person tying running shoes for optimal foot support and comfort.
26Nov

running shoes

Searching for the right running shoes can feel daunting if you are not sure what the things that you should look for are. There are so many different choices on offer for you, with each claiming to have some or other technology to offer you the maximum comfort. So, here is a brief rundown on the things that you should keep in mind when trying to choose the best running shoes for yourself.

Choose shoes that are specifically made for running

Running shoes look a lot like sneakers, but they have special designs and features that make them remarkably different. While running, your foot is hitting the ground in the same way repeatedly. Running shoes help in shock absorption during this time, so that you do not suffer from troubles, like heel pain, later on.

Getting the fit absolutely right

If the shoes do not fit right, you are just setting yourself up for foot diseases, such as plantar fasciitis, in future. Keep in mind that your feet swell a slight bit through the day and they also spread as you run. So, it is better to try out the shoes in the evening or afternoon to get a more accurate estimate of the fit. There has to be about a thumb width of gap between the end of your shoe and the foot to account for the foot spread.

Select the right kind of running shoes

The kind of running shoes you get should also depend on the intensity of running that you plan to do. So, you need to opt for trail running shoes if you practice on dirt tracks more. Lightweight shoes would work well for races or faster workouts. Finally, you can also opt for daily running shoes, which are the most durable option. It can handle any kind of running that you want to do.

Consider what you are paying for

The price tag of running shoes usually relates to the kind of technology or comfort that the shoes are supposed to offer you. Now, this means getting inexpensive shoes would not really work in giving you the comfort you need to run. On the other hand, it is not like only the most expensive pair is your best bet when aiming to enjoy a run.

Understand a few terms

  • Stack height

Stack height is the amount of material placed between the ground and your feet. The ones who look for high impact protection, opt for higher stack height. On the other hand, those who are looking for a more natural experience of feeling the ground while running can go for low stack height.

  • Pronation

Pronation refers to the rolling of your foot from the heel to the toe by the foot strike. A neutral strike pattern is when you strike with the outer part of the heel and move up to the ball of the foot. If you have flat foot, then you might have over-pronation, which is rolling too much inside of the foot during the strike cycle. The opposite of this is under-pronation, which happens when your feet have high arches.

  • Heel-toe drop

Heel-toe drop is the difference in the amount of material under the forefoot and that under the heel. You should check that there’s more material under the heel to go with your normal stride while running where the heel hits the ground with the maximum impact.

Lastly, keep in mind that it’s not like the shoes that are perfect for your friend would even be right for you. So, keep these points in mind and choose the running shoes that fit your feet the best.

Detailed illustration of ankle bones, tendons, and ligaments for foot health.
13Oct

Plantar fasciitis- symptoms and causes

Plantar fasciitis is basically a deformity of an inflamed thick band of tissues that connects the heel bone to the toes. It is commonly known as policeman’s heel. Our foot has a thick, fibrous band of tissues running from our heels to our toes. When these tissues are overly stretched, tiny tears occur in the tissue surface, which results in pain and inflammation. Traditionally foot doctors in Houston and Podiatrists Houston thought that heel spurs were the cause of plantar fasciitis. But modern treatment and research at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center proves that Heel spurs are the result and not the cause. They often prescribe heel spur pain relief in case of such a situation.

plantar

Causes of plantar fasciitis:

There are several reasons that contribute to the occurrence of plantar fasciitis. Generally, women are more prone to plantar fasciitis than men. The possibility of the occurrence of the disease increases with age. It also occurs when you are overweight or you stress your feet to the point of fatigue throughout the day.

 The risk of causing plantar fasciitis also increases if:

  • Your shoes are uncomfortable, worn out with thin soles.
  • You have flat feet or a very high arch.
  • You wear ill-fitting footwear such as high heeled sandals.
  • You have tight Achilles tendons pain or those known as ‘heel cords’.
  • You have an unusual posture and walk or foot position.
  • You are suffering from obesity.

If you bore such habits, then you should visit a foot and ankle specialist at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center in Houston TX. Ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic heel pain which will cause obstruction to our regular pace in life activities.

plantar2

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis include the following:

  • Pain in heel and tenderness in your foot sole.
  • The affected heel would cause pain which will lead to difficulty in bearing weight or any activity involved with the foot.
  • It is difficult to walk, especially while taking the first few steps after waking up.
  • The heel pain is more like a burning pain and sharp, which can become severe.
  • Swelling of the bottom of the foot.
  • You will gradually realize while working out any athletic activities.
  • Swelling and tenderness at the insertion of the plantar fascia or the band of the tissue to the heel, on the bottom of the foot.

 You can start by preventing any stressful athletic activities. Visit for physical therapy from time to time. In severe cases, surgery is recommended. Treatment involves injections of cortisone in the foot which works as a pain reliever. Orthotic devices or shoe inserts are worn to take off the pressure from the plantar fascia. Heel lifts reduce pressure on Achilles tendon to relieve heel spur pain. Use sports running shoes with soft and cushioned insoles to reduce irritation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries. Visit your nearest podiatrists in Houston or a foot doctor Houston, as soon as getting the symptoms.

Woman performing Achilles tendon stretch against wall for foot health.
12Sep

It is very important to take care of your Achilles tendon if do a lot of physical activity, or you tend to put immense pressure on your legs and feet. If you do too much of intense physical activity and overuse this tendon without warming up or stretching properly, it may tear or rupture, and it might also lead to tendonitis, that is, swelling and inflammation of the Achilles tendon. If you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, visit a Foot and Ankle Sprain Specialist in Houston TX. Symptoms of Achilles tendonitis are tightness and discomfort along with feelings of weakness in the heel and the range of motion gets restricted. If you feel Heel Pain or Achilles tendon pain, consult a foot doctor for ankle and heel pain treatments. Stretching can help in recovery and healing if you have Achilles tendonitis.

If you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, visit a Foot and Ankle Sprain Specialist in Houston TX such as Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale of DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. Symptoms of Achilles tendonitis are tightness and discomfort along with feelings of weakness in the heel and the range of motion gets restricted. If you feel Heel Pain or Achilles tendon pain, consult a foot doctor for ankle and heel pain treatments. Stretching can help in recovery and healing if you have Achilles tendonitis.

When Achilles tendonitis becomes chronic, it leads to Achilles tendinopathy involving damage and degeneration of collagen present in the tendon. If you have Achilles tendonitis but do not treat it in time, it is very likely to develop small tears in the tendon (known as tendonitis) and may lead to partial or complete rupture of the tendon.

Talk to a foot doctor Houston about treating and healing your Achilles tendon immediately if you notice any of the symptoms. To accelerate the healing process and to increase mobility and range of motion, here are a few Achilles tendon stretches and strength exercises which you can do.

Achilles Tendon Stretching Exercises

There are some exercises for stretching your Achilles tendon. These are the three of the most common Achilles tendon stretching exercises:

Calf Stretch or Runner’s Stretch:

Woman performing Achilles tendon stretch against wall for foot health.

This exercise is done to loosen the tendon and reduce the tightness and discomfort caused by an inflamed Achilles tendon. For this exercise, place your hands on the wall (or a chair). In case of putting your hands on a wall, place them at eye level. Keep one leg straight and keep the heel on the floor with your toes pointing straight ahead. Bend the other leg in front of the straight leg, pushing your hips towards the wall. Stretch the back leg (straight leg) and lean forward to the point you feel a stretch or pull in your calf, but no pain. Make sure that your heels do not come off the floor. Hold the position for 30 seconds and repeat three times.

Toe-to-wall Stretch:

Woman stretching Achilles tendon near fireplace for foot health and ankle strength.

If you are not comfortable with calf stretch, you can do this exercise, which also helps to improve mobility, loosen up and reduce stress on the Achilles tendon. This exercise is to be performed with the leg that is causing discomfort. Stand in front of the wall and place your toes against the wall. Keep your heel on the floor, and place your toes as high as you can to feel a deep stretch. Keep your other leg behind you with toes forward and heel on the floor, and lean forward. Hold the position for 30 seconds and repeat three times.

Heel drop:

Woman stretching Achilles tendon using a walker for support.

Before doing this stretching exercise, it is better to do it under the supervision of a foot specialist Houston or a physical therapist because if not done correctly, it might damage the Achilles tendon. To do this exercise, you will need a staircase or a stepladder. While using a stepladder ensure that it is locked in a fixed position. Do this exercise with the leg that is causing discomfort (having problems with the Achilles tendon). Grab the staircase or ladder railing, and place the ball of your foot on the edge of the step at the bottom of the stair or ladder. Let the heel of the foot to drop down and relax the other foot. Make sure that you do not slip off and hurt yourself. Hold the position for 30 seconds and repeat three times. If you face trouble while balancing, do this exercise under the guidance of a professional.

Calf Strengthening Exercises

Calf muscles are attached to the Achilles tendon and should be kept strong to lessen stress on the tendon. Here are three calf muscle strengthening exercises:

Sitting Heel Raises:

Sit on a chair, place your feet as apart as your shoulder width. Lift your toes as high as possible until you feel some pain. Pause, and then lower your heels very slowly. Do 20 reps of this exercise in one set. Repeat this 5-6 times daily.

Standing Heel Raises:

Stand on the floor and place your feet as apart as your shoulder width. Grabbing a chair for support, stand on the ball of your feet and rise by lifting your heels as high as possible until you feel some pain. Pause, and then lower your heels very slowly. Do 20 reps of this exercise in one set. Repeat this 5-6 times daily.

Calf Exercises Using a Resistance Band:

Sit on the floor (or on your bed). Extending your legs straight out before you, wrap a resistance band around the ball of your foot (of the leg you want to stretch) and slightly bend your knee. Hold the ends of the band with your hands and pull it towards yourself to flex the foot. Pause and then release your foot, pointing it away from you. Do 10 -15 reps of this exercise in one set. Repeat three times. Initially, use a light resistance band and later you can use a thicker band as your tendon will become stronger.

So, here are a few exercises which will definitely speed up your recovery process if you injured your Achilles tendon. Make sure to always consult a physician before doing any sort of self diagnosis. And to keep yourself fit, always exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. 

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

Read more about Achilles Tendons