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Ankle sprains are very common injuries. Odds are that at some point in every person’s life—be it while running on the playground as a child or landing awkwardly on the stairs as an adult—a sprain will occur. Often sprains are simply complications from over-extended ligaments in the ankle that will clear up on their own. However, in some cases the ligaments will stretch severely or even tear, prompting the need for medical attention.
The most common recipients of ankle sprains are men between the ages of 15 and 24, and women over the age of 30. At least half of all ankle sprains occur during strenuous activity; however, almost as many occur from daily activities such as going downstairs or walking on soft or slippery surfaces. An average of 25,000 people each year seek medical attention for ankle sprains in the United States.
There are a few signs to look out for when sustaining a sprain. With mild sprains there will be pain along the inside of the foot and difficulty walking. Most sprains involve swelling, although with a mild sprain the swelling should not be severe and should go away within a few days. With more severe sprains there will likely be bruising and severe swelling. Most people report a popping or tearing sound occurring at the onset of the injury. It is likely you will not be able to put any weight on the injured foot at all.
The swelling that can occur with a severe sprain is similar to the swelling that occurs with a fracture. It is important to seek medical attention whenever swelling occurs, as there may be a more serious injury capable of worsening if left untreated. Even simple sprains, if left untreated, can turn to joint weakness or stiffness later on.
Like many conditions of the foot and ankle areas, there are things you can do at home to lessen the symptoms. The R.I.C.E. method of at-home treatment, derived from the first letters of Rest, Icing, Compression and Elevation, is a useful acronym to remember when dealing with Ankle Sprains.
Rest is generally the first step you should always take after a foot injury. Any amount of weight placed on the affected area can cause severe pain and prompt further injury. It is important to remain off of the affected foot/feet as much as possible, as soon as possible after the injury is sustained.
Icing the affected area for twenty-minute periods is an effective way to minimize the pain and help lessen bruising.
Compression of the injured ankle involves binding the joint with a bandage or boot, which can help to minimize swelling. However, it is recommended that you consult a health professional before binding as further injury can be caused by unskilled methods of compression.
Elevation involves raising the affected foot above the level of your chest, or at least as high as you can safely and comfortably do. This will restrict blood flow to the affected area and decrease pain.
In many cases of a sprain, a boot or crutches will be required to cushion the injured foot or to remove weight from it entirely. Podiatric professionals, like the team at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, can help to asses the severity of a sprain and provide the tools necessary to help you heal.
If you have sustained a sprain, chances are that your mobility has suffered. Dr. Vikki and the qualified team at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center have the tools and training necessary to educate you on how to treat a sprain and how to avoid future injury.
With many years of collective experience, Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie can help you get back on your feet and stay there. Schedule a consultation today to find out what the team at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center can do for you!
Just because your feet are tucked away in socks and shoes for most of the day doesn’t mean that they don’t need moisture, too. If you have noticed cracked heels developing, it’s a sign that the skin on your feet is in dire need of moisture. Left alone, cracked heels can cause pain, bleeding, and even infection.
Cracked heels occur when the skin is too dry to support all of the pressure on it. So when natural expansions of the foot occur during the day, the callused skin on the heel begins to split.
Believe it or not, the moisture your feet get also depends heavily on how you bathe.
While most cases of cracked heels aren’t serious, soreness, redness, and swelling around the cracked area could be signs of infection and require examination from a podiatrist. If you are worried about infection or simply want to learn more about taking care of your feet, contact Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center.
Foot ulcers can develop into serious wounds and can even lead to the loss of a limb. This is why it is important to adequately treat every cut, callus and blister you sustain because they have the potential to develop into these serious foot ulcers. Here is some information about identifying, preventing and treating foot ulcers.
People who suffer from chronic illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, nerve damage from alcoholism, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and those with vascular issues can all be at risk of developing foot ulcers. However, the group that is most at risk are those with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that numbs the extremities to cold, heat and pain.
Because of peripheral neuropathy, diabetics may sustain foot wounds that they are unable to feel and therefore do not treat. Walking around on untreated wounds will often cause them to become foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause the feet to become deformed. Putting deformed feet in normal shoes can cause blisters and calluses that may also develop into ulcers. In addition, diabetics often have poor blood circulation to their legs and feet and, without proper nourishment, the feet are unable to heal themselves of infections.
Foot ulcers are red sores found commonly on the balls of the feet or underneath the big toe. If they are infected, they will also produce pus and omit a bad odor. If left untreated, these sores can develop gangrene and your foot will eventually need amputation. For this reason, it is imperative to see a podiatrist if you suspect that you have a foot ulcer so you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Cleansing and Debridement
Your doctor will cleanse the ulcer and remove any dead or dying tissue from the wound. An ointment that promotes healing may be added to the wound before your doctor bandages it.
Stay off Your Feet
Your foot may be put in a cast or protective boot. It is best to stay off your feet as much as possible while you are healing.
Assisted Wound Care
A foot care professional will have to inspect your ulcer once a week until it is fully healed. In addition, a visiting nurse will help dress your wound.
It is critical for diabetics to develop a good relationship with their podiatrists. Most diabetics will require regular care to assure that small problems will not develop into major issues.
Now that you know some facts about foot ulcers, be sure to reach out to a foot care professional if you suspect you have one. If you have any further questions about identifying, preventing or treating foot ulcers or want to book an appointment at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, feel free to reach out to us.
Do you have foot pain so severe that it makes it unbearable for you to walk around? Have you tried a bunch of different remedies that just don’t seem to work?
The key to solving your foot pain is first getting the right diagnosis. Here’s a look at some of the common causes of foot pain and how to treat them. However, before you try out any of these treatments by yourself, you should consult with your podiatrist.
Your feet carry you around every day, bearing your weight when you’re standing and helping you get to where you need to go. You might not think about your feet too often, that is until they start to hurt. Foot pain is a common problem among people of all ages.
A list of some of the possible causes of foot pain include:
Treatments for severe foot pain problems include:
It is important to consult with your podiatrist to make sure that you get a proper diagnosis for your foot pain. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie so that they can help you get rid of your severe foot pain for good.
At the end of the day, are your feet so sore that you can barely walk? Is this something that occurs on a regular basis? If so, then orthopedic shoes or inserts may be the right solution for you.
But before you run out to the drugstore to pick up some non-prescription inserts, here are some things that you need to know about what orthopedic shoes and inserts can and can’t do for you.
Orthopedic shoes are specifically designed to provide support and pain relief for people suffering with some type of leg, ankle, or foot pain. While most people tend to think of ugly shoes when they think of orthopedic shoes, today’s orthopedic shoe is a lot more fashion-friendly then they have been in the past, and are worn by people of all ages. The exact design for orthopedic shoes varies depending on the particular health problems of the wearer. There is no one design of orthopedic shoe that will work effectively on all types of foot problems.
Wearing orthopedic shoes is a good idea whenever there is any type of health issue that makes walking painful. All orthopedic shoes and boots share several characteristics, such as:
While the most popular type of orthopedic footwear is shoes and inserts, you can also buy orthopedic socks and slippers.
Just like orthopedic shoes, shoe inserts can help relieve a variety for ailments, including flat arches and foot pain. Shoe inserts work to cushion your feet, providing comfort and support to your arches. They can also help correct biochemical foot problems or cure long-standing foot issues.
The most common types of shoe inserts are:
Unlike non-prescription inserts, prescription custom orthotics are designed specifically to support and comfort your feet. Prescription orthotics can be divided into two categories: functional orthotics and accommodative orthotics.
Functional orthotics work to treat foot pain caused by abnormal motion and injuries, such as shin splints or tendinitis. Functional orthotics are generally made out of semi-rigid material, like plastic or graphite.
Accommodative orthotics are made out of softer material and are meant to provide additional cushioning and support. They can be used to treat uncomfortable conditions, such as diabetic foot ulcers and painful calluses on the bottom of the foot.
Some of the common types of foot pain that orthopedic shoes or inserts can help treat include:
While orthopedic shoes and inserts can do a lot to help your feet feel better, you should make an appointment with a skilled and knowledgeable podiatrist before purchasing your own orthopedic shoes and inserts. Consult with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today about which products will work best for your specific foot needs, and what else you can do to help alleviate your foot pain.
Do you often find that your feet crack and pop when you’re walking? Are you concerned about what the noises could mean? In most cases, painless cracking and popping isn’t something that you need to worry about. It’s when the cracking causes you pain that you should be concerned.
Here’s a quick look at some of the reasons that might be causing your feet to crack and what it could mean for you.
While painless cracking isn’t something that you have to really worry about, you may still be curious about what causes your feet to crack. Some of the things that may cause your feet to crack without causing you pain include:
In some cases, your feet making cracking sounds could be an indication of a greater problem. Some more serious problems that may cause your feet to crack include:
If you experience any pain or swelling in your cracking joints, then it’s important that you seek out medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today. With years of collective experience in their fields, they’ll be able to help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your feet to make cracking sounds and how the issue can be alleviated.
Over time, our bodies begin to wear down and our feet are no exception. Myriad changes occur to our feet as we reach our senior years. This includes muscular and skeletal changes, as well as skin and toenail changes, each coming with their own possible challenges. Here is an overview of some of the common foot issues that can come with age:
Most would assume that shoe sizes stay the same after puberty, but this is not the case. As we age our feet “spread,” which may alter the size of the shoe you should be wearing. Every time you go shopping for a new pair of shoes, you should measure your feet, both for length and width. If it seems like your shoes are growing less comfortable day by day, then you might want to make sure you aren’t outgrowing them.
One of the more obvious changes we undergo as we age is the thinning of skin. Our feet are no different; and since they are an area that is often subjected to frequent friction, they can see a lot of complications. Due to the weakening and drying of the skin, abrasions are common. Make sure to use moisturizer to keep your skin supple and soft.
Several types of keratosis can make your feet skin look as if it is cancerous or infected, but these raised pigmented bumps are usually benign. Any changes in your skin should be addressed by a physician, as some of these conditions may be masking a more serious affliction.
As the wear and tear on our joints adds up over time, arthritis begins to set in. Arthritis of the feet can be one of the most painful and debilitating forms of this condition, since the feet bear the weight of our bodies. Reduced bone density can also play a role in this type of joint pain.
The weakening of joints and bones can also lead to more frequent fractures and sprains, so it’s important to wear durable, supportive, and comfortable shoes.
Circulation problems are also more common with age. Issues with the veins in the legs can cause feet to swell, making shoes ill-fitting from day to day. Sometimes only a single foot will swell, other times both will. Hormonal changes and some medications can be the cause of these issues, as well.
An additional reason to wear shoes that fit correctly is bunions. Wearing narrow shoes can cause your big toes to press inwards, jutting out the joint and causing it to elongate and press on the skin. Bunions aren’t only caused by wearing small shoes, as there is also a genetic component to their formation. They can also form on your smaller toes, but they are more pronounced on the big toes.
Ill-fitting shoes and arthritis can also cause a condition known as hammer toe. Normally, our toes point outwards from our body, but a hammertoe causes them to point downwards towards the ground. This can affect any toe on the foot, and be quite painful. The physical cause of this downward turn is a dislocation of the middle joint in the toe. Dislocation can be caused by wearing tight shoes such as high heels; or factors such as injury, arthritis, or pressure from the aforementioned bunions.
A specific type of arthritis, gout is caused by having too much uric acid in the blood stream. While this doesn’t cause symptoms in all patients, in certain individuals these high levels of uric acid cause crystals to form on the joints, usually the big toe. Gout manifests in sudden attacks of pain in the big toe until it is treated. Risk factors for gout include being overweight and having a diet high in meat and alcohol.
Gout is usually somewhat obvious by its visible effects on the big toe, causing swelling and redness. Steroids can stop a sudden gout attack, and there are long-term treatment options as well for chronic gout.
As with any part of the body, investing in your foot health is essential to ensure that your feet age gracefully alongside you. To keep your feet fit for years to come, schedule a consultation with trusted podiatrists Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center.
Do you have a rash on your feet, but you can’t seem to figure out what’s causing the problem? Not surprisingly, there are many different things that can cause a foot rash to occur, including something occurring near the foot itself or a body-wide condition. A foot rash can affect a small area, be short-lived and mild, or it may spread further up the leg, returning frequently and be painful or itchy. Some foot rashes are also highly contagious.
The first step in treating your foot rash is getting the right diagnosis. Knowing exactly what is causing your foot rash can also help you prevent it from ever returning and turning into a chronic condition. Here’s a look at some of the things that can cause a foot rash, their symptoms, and how to treat them.
Some of the other, less common causes of foot rash can include:
Before you try to treat your foot rash at home, it is important to get the right diagnosis to determine the cause of your foot rash. Book an appointment with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today, so that they can help you figure out the best treatment plan for your foot rash.
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