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At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know that tracking down the source of foot pain in children can be challenging. A condition that often affects children between the ages of 8 and 14 is Sever’s Disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis. Until your child passes through puberty, his or her legs and feet continue to grow and develop. Sometimes the heel bone can grow faster than the tendons and muscles of the leg. This can result in a feeling of tightness and pressure in the heel. The back of the growth plate has a vulnerable spot where new bone growth forms. Continuous stress on the heel caused by running, jumping and wearing cleats can inflame the growth plate. High-risk sports include soccer, football, track, basketball and gymnastics.
Pain in the bottom of the heel, a loss of flexibility, or a feeling of tiredness in the foot are the primary symptoms of Sever’s Disease. There also may be some swelling in the affected area. Young children, however, may not be able to articulate their symptoms. Look for these signs that heel or other foot pain may be occurring:
Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will develop a treatment plan to help relieve pain and inflammation. This will most likely include resting the heel and avoiding sports and activities that aggravate it as well as any of the following:
Sever’s Disease does not have any long-term effects as long as your child takes a break from activities that are putting a strain on the heel and allows the inflammation to go away. It’s important, however, not to ignore signs of foot pain in young athlete’s or encourage them to “play through the pain,” as damaging injuries can then occur.
If you have questions about your child’s foot health, contact our Long Beach office today by calling: (562) 420-9800.
Bunions are a condition that we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center treat often. A bunion is a deformity of the toe joint that most often affects the big toe. It causes the joint to move out of place and drift toward the second toe. Bunions can have a number of different causes, including:
Bunions are a progressive disorder, which means they will continue to get worse over time. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will start by doing a complete physical examination of your feet. While conservative measures are always preferable, if your bunion has progressed to the point where it is impeding your ability to wear shoes and walk without pain, surgery may be the best treatment option. Below are some questions to ask before scheduling bunion surgery:
What type of bunion surgery do you recommend? There are several different kinds of bunionectomies. The foot and ankle surgeon will choose the type that best addresses the structural changes that have occurred to your toe because of the deformity. Ask the podiatrist to thoroughly explain the surgical procedure and ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand.
Where will the surgery take place? Bunion surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. It will be necessary to have someone drive you home so be sure to arrange for that before the date of the surgery.
What will the recovery be like? You will have to avoid bearing weight on the affected foot for some period of time after the surgery. Ask the foot doctor how long you will need to be out of work. In addition, you’ll want to know how much discomfort to expect post operatively. Even after you are able to bear weight and return to work, you may need to do physical therapy or use a custom orthotic. Find out what results the podiatrist expects from the surgery and what the post-surgical treatment plan will consist of.
Knowing what to expect for your bunion surgery will reduce worry and help you better prepare for the modifications to your schedule. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
Fall sports practices are in the works and for children and teens that have spent the summer on the couch with a phone or video controller glued to their hands, it can be a shock to their feet to begin a strenuous sports routine. Below are 5 ways we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center recommend to ease the transition and protect young feet:
We tend to take our feet for granted. Every day we get up out of bed, put on shoes and go on about our day—standing, walking, running, maybe even hiking, dancing and playing a sport. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we thought it might be fun to take a look at some facts about your feet:
Now that you know just how incredible your feet are, our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas, want to encourage you to be proactive in the care of them. If you experience any pain or discomfort, don’t delay. Contact our Long Beach office promptly for evaluation and treatment by calling: (562) 420-9800.
On August 17th we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center want our patients to recognize a special occasion: “I Love My Feet” Day. Your feet are the transportation for your body. Although often taken for granted, there’s not much you can do without them. So, take this opportunity to treat your feet to something special. Below are a few suggestions:
Get a professional foot massage or give yourself one (there are lots of how-to’s online). Foot massage can relieve soreness after a long day spent on your feet. It also can help with certain chronic foot disorders like arthritis, flat feet and plantar fasciitis as well as improve circulation and reduce stress. Plus, it just feels soooo good!
Do an inventory of your shoe wardrobe. Throw out any shoes that are worn out or hurt when you wear them (hint: ones with heels over two inches and narrow, pointy toe boxes are likely offenders). If you spend a large amount of time in flip-flops, invest in a pair that has arch support to prevent heel and arch pain.
One of the best ways you can care for your feet is by doing regular self-exams on them. Look over your entire foot, top and bottom. Check for changes in color, bruising, rashes, bumps, cuts that don’t seem to be healing and changes in moles or freckles. Inspect toenails to make sure they are not growing inward or showing signs of a fungal infection (crumbling at the edges, discoloration). Stretch your feet, wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles—any pain, stiffness or limitations in range of motion? If you notice anything abnormal or questionable, make an appointment at our Long Beach office so that one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas can examine your feet and determine if anything is wrong.
Give your feet a break! Elevate them at the end of the day to a height higher than your heart if possible. This will help with swelling and circulation and also give them some much-deserved rest.
If you have questions about other ways to improve the health and well-being of your feet, contact us by calling: (562) 420-9800.
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