Items filtered by date: March 2022

The plantar fascia is a strong, weight bearing band of connective tissue that starts at the heel bone on the bottom of the foot. From there it moves up the foot to help form and support the arch, and then fans out to connect with each of the toes. Because the plantar fascia bears a person’s weight during walking, running and jumping, it can become damaged or even develop microtears from excessive pressure or overuse. This condition is known as plantar fasciitis, which causes inflammation and heel pain. This pain is particularly acute in the morning after the plantar fascia has been in a flexed position and contracts overnight as you sleep. As you begin to move and stretch the plantar fascia, the pain will lessen temporarily, only to return later in the day. A podiatrist should be consulted if you believe you have plantar fasciitis. Since this is the most common form of heel pain, there are a variety of non-invasive and effective treatments your podiatrist can use to provide the relief you are seeking.

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 Accent Podiatry Associates. 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 offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Finding the right running shoe to accommodate your foot structure and prevent injury can be a daunting task, particularly if you are a beginner. Here is a brief introduction of the 5 types of running shoes. 1) Racing Flats are lightweight shoes built for long distance and speed with far less cushioning than those made for more general training. They are not appropriate if you are just starting out. 2) Trail Runners are protective and stable running shoes made to accommodate the changing terrain you would encounter in nature (mud, road, grass, hard packed surfaces). 3) Stability Sneakers, made for people with normal arches, support the arch and ankle during the gait cycle and help prevent the foot from overpronation (extreme inward rolling). 4) Motion Control Shoes have a more rigid construction which can help avoid overpronation in people with low arches or with pronation problems. Heavier runners may benefit also from their extra stability and durability. 5) Cushioned Shoes, or neutral padded shoes, can help runners that do not pronate sufficiently during the gait cycle, which may help those with high arches. This footwear offers extra shock absorption in the midsole and outsole. For more individualized advice on the specific features that would be most beneficial for your individual feet and fitness goals, consult with a podiatrist.

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

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

If you have broken your toe, you may not realize it, since sprained and strained toes can sometimes produce similar symptoms. If your toe is broken, it may bleed, and a bruise may form on the skin or under the toenail. Swelling will typically be present, and in severe cases, your toe may become misshapen, if the bone has become displaced or the toe joint has also been broken. If the big toe joint has fractured, you will most likely have difficulty walking. You can break toes by stubbing them severely, dropping a heavy object on them, or they may become broken as part of a bigger injury. Broken toes can take several weeks to heal if they are cared for appropriately. If you believe you may have broken your toe, it's wise to consult with a podiatrist. This is particularly important for people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and heart failure, all of which can make it more difficult for broken toes to heal.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Exercise keeps our bodies strong! Given that our feet are an integral part of everyday life and getting us where we need to be, it stands to reason that exercising our feet is necessary to keep them strong and healthy. After all, they are relatively small appendages to carry our weight. In addition to improving your overall health, exercising your feet on a regular basis can reduce the risk of injury. When problems arise in your feet causing pain or gait instability, various exercises can be done to improve the issue. A podiatrist can examine your feet, diagnose any current or emerging problems, and suggest exercises to help.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

A foot or ankle injury can cause a disruption of the nerves that causes pain, tingling, a burning sensation, and sometimes, numbness. This condition, known as a neuroma, can also be caused by an ensuing surgery or post-operative brace or cast. It may be difficult to detect the exact source of the nerve damage, because X-rays and other digital imaging tests often cannot see smaller nerves. One method that has been successful is a diagnostic injection of local anesthesia that can help to determine the source of the pain. Among home treatment options are gently massaging the area to calm the irritated nerves; applying topical pain patches to the area for a few weeks; and loosening your shoelaces or elastic brace. In some cases, surgery is also an option. Before taking any measures, it’s a good idea to consult with a podiatrist, who can examine the area, determine the extent of the problem, and suggest a treatment plan that works best for you.   

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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