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At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we see a high incidence of neuromas among professional women for whom running is the fitness activity of choice. A neuroma is a disorder where a nerve becomes inflamed and enlarged causing symptoms of pain, burning and tingling. Patients with neuromas often say it feels like there is a rock in their shoe or that their sock is bunched up under their foot. Women who spend their workdays in heels and then pound the pavement running after work may be unknowingly putting an extreme amount of pressure on the ball of their foot. What’s the high heel/high impact running connection? High heels push your foot forward and narrow toe boxes squeeze toes together—both of which put excess stress on a nerve that is located at the base of your toes in the ball of your foot. Combine this stress with the added irritation of high impact and repeated force from running and you have the perfect conditions for a neuroma to develop.
Unfortunately, many women don’t pick up on these signs right away. The symptoms usually come on gradually and massaging the ball of the foot or changing your shoes for a day or two may relieve the pain—but only temporarily. In fact, the temporary nerve damage can become permanent if a patient does not seek professional podiatric treatment promptly.
Relieving Symptoms
You can’t see a neuroma on an x-ray or diagnose it with a lab test. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will examine the affected foot and palpate the nerve as well as ask questions about your symptoms and their duration to determine how far your condition has progressed. There are several treatment options available, including:
Surgery is reserved for severe cases where other methods have not worked. If you wear heels, run and are experiencing any pain or odd sensations in the ball of your foot contact our Long Beach office for an appointment at your earliest opportunity by calling: (562) 420-9800.
When your heel hurts, we at Superior Foot & Ankle Center know how limiting that can be on your day to day life. When every step is painful it’s difficult to walk, let alone work, shop, take care of children and household tasks or do any of the many other activities we normally take for granted. While resting your foot may temporarily ease heel soreness, permanent relief requires discovery of the source of the pain and developing a treatment plan that will address the root cause. Below are some common reasons for heel pain:
Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas will need to do a complete examination of your foot, ankle, and heel to diagnose the source of your heel pain. X-rays and other imaging studies may also be ordered. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the foot doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment plan to resolve your heel pain. If you are experiencing pain in your heel, contact our Long Beach office by calling (562) 420-9800 today.
Do you experience a burning or tingling sensation that feels something like an electrical shock on the inside of your ankle bone? What about numbness or shooting pain in that area? If yes, you may be experiencing the symptoms of a condition known as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we find that these symptoms can manifest in a number of ways. In some patients, they come on suddenly after a particularly strenuous workout session or after a long day of standing. The symptoms may also be experienced just in one spot or extend to the heel, calf, arch, and toes. This can make diagnosis a bit tricky because the symptoms are similar to those of several other podiatric conditions. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas will want to do a complete examination of your foot and ankle, checking for loss of sensation and trying to reproduce the symptoms you experience. Nerve conduction studies and advanced imaging studies may also be ordered.
Tracking Down the Source
The tarsal tunnel is literally a tunnel on the inside of your ankle that houses the posterior tibial nerve along with arteries, veins, and tendons. The tunnel is covered with a thick, protective ligament. Whenever something occurs that causes the nerve to be compressed the above symptoms can result. There are many different reasons for nerve compression:
Once the foot doctor confirms a diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome and determines the source the appropriate treatment can be prescribed. Left untreated the nerve damage can become permanent. So don’t delay—if you have symptoms, contact our Long Beach office at 562-420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know that the condition of your feet isn’t just about what goes on below your knees. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas believe that the health of the rest of your body plays a significant role in podiatric concerns. In honor of National Nutrition Month, we want to highlight the importance of proper eating and how it relates to your feet. Below are 3 ways that your diet can improve the health of your ankles and feet.
If you have questions about how changing your diet could impact a chronic foot condition contact our Long Beach office at 562-420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we are committed to helping patients obtain relief from foot and ankle disorders using the least invasive methods possible. Sometimes, however, when conservative methods fail to give good results or a condition has progressed to a certain point, surgery is the best treatment option. Whether your surgery is to correct a bunion or help with flat feet, plantar fasciitis or another podiatric condition, what happens after the surgery is critical to completing the healing process. Below are some areas you should focus on if you are planning or have recently had podiatric surgery:
Plan Ahead—our feet are so crucial to daily living and yet we often take them for granted. If you will be unable to walk, even for a short period of time, you will need to put certain things into place prior to surgery:
Wound Care—one of the most critical aspects of surgical recovery is preventing an infection from developing. Be sure you understand and follow all your foot doctor’s instructions for keeping surgical wounds clean. If you notice any signs of infection—warmth at the site of the surgery, redness or red streaks around the wound or fever—contact our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas, immediately, even if it is after regular office hours.
Follow Through—don’t be your own foot doctor! Follow all of the podiatrist’s guidelines for your recovery and complete the full course of any physical therapy that is prescribed. Too often patients will discontinue therapy when they are feeling pain-free, but particularly for foot and ankle injuries strengthening of surrounding muscles and ligaments is necessary for full recovery. If you have any questions concerning post-operative care instructions or symptoms you experience after surgery don’t hesitate to contact our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800.
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