Displaying items by tag: Sesamoiditis

It’s a sad fact that 74% of overweight Americans have foot problems. So, while you may wonder what the connection is, at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know there is a direct correlation between being overweight or obese and the health of your feet. It’s easy to see when you stop and think about it: your feet are carrying the weight of your entire body—the more you weigh the more stress and hard work for your feet. Below are three benefits for your feet to losing weight:

1. Less foot pain—excess weight puts strain on your tendons and joints and can cause a flattening of the arch of your foot. This can increase your risk or the severity of several foot conditions, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Sesamoiditis
• Gout

Changes and discomfort in your feet can also lead to problems with your back, hips and knees. If you are experiencing pain in any part of your foot, it’s essential that you make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800 so that our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas can examine your feet and determine the source of your foot problem.

2. Prevention of diseases—maintaining a healthy weight can also help lower your risk of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and peripheral arterial disease. These systemic diseases can have devastating affects on your feet like neuropathy and circulation problems.
3. Greater mobility—the less you weigh, the easier it is to be active. Being active can help in losing and maintaining a proper weight. A regular exercise routine will also help keep foot joints flexible and preserve a full range of motion.

The good news is that it doesn’t require a huge drop in weight to see big results for your feet. For example, for every pound you lose, this reduces the pressure on your knees by up to four pounds. If you are concerned that your weight may be affecting the condition of your feet, contact us today for more information.

Do you have an occupation that requires you to be on your feet for long hours at a time? At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we find that nurses, teachers, construction workers and other patients with jobs that have them upright and mobile for most of the day are more likely to have foot pain and swelling and are also at a higher risk for developing podiatric disorders. Although we can’t change your job, we can offer suggestions for ways to minimize foot pain and increase your comfort level.

Get Problems Checked Out Promptly

• The majority of foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis, flat feet and metatarsalgia, are made worse by being on your feet for extended periods of time. For this reason, if your work requires this, it’s particularly important to not put off getting foot problems evaluated. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas will examine your feet to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. The foot doctor may be able to suggest padding or an orthotic device for your shoes to help relieve foot pain. Be sure to let the podiatrist know that you have a job that requires you to spend long hours on your feet.

Choose Shoes Wisely

• Your shoe choice is critical for comfort and protection. Choose styles with good ankle and arch support and a cushioned insole. It’s a good idea to alternate your shoes as well for maximum comfort and to avoid excess pressure to one particular spot on your foot.

Stay Hydrated

• Although it may seem backwards, drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to prevent painful edema or swelling of your feet and ankles.

Make the Most of Break Time

• When you do get a break, get off your feet for as long as you can and elevate them if possible. Do some stretching exercises and flex your feet and toes. Once your break is over, try to change your position frequently. If you are unable to sit down, at least shift your weight from foot to foot.

Compensate During Non-Work Hours

• Be sure to put your feet up when you get home from work. Choose exercise and fitness activities that don’t put additional strain on your feet. Swimming, biking and rowing are examples of physical activities that don’t put more pressure on your feet. Be sure to soak your feet if they are sore and treat yourself to a foot massage now and then to relieve pain and stiff muscles.

If you have additional concerns about your feet and your occupation, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.

In March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we believe that good nutrition has many positive benefits for your podiatric health. What’s the connection between what you eat and your feet? Read on.

Maintain a Healthy Weight—one of the most obvious benefits to eating healthy is getting to and then maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk and severity of many foot health problems, including:

• Arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Flat feet
• Sesamoiditis

Many patients may not realize when it comes to your lower extremities, the pressure of excess pounds can be dramatic. For example, every pound you gain or lose exacts 4 times the amount of pressure on your knees.

Stay Active—in addition to the fact that it’s easier to be active when you’re not overweight, the foods you eat can also impact your energy level. Avoiding processed foods and those high in saturated and trans fats and sugars and focusing on lean protein and complex carbohydrates can increase your energy level and help you be more active.

Get the Nutrients You Need—good nutrition is about eating a varied diet. Enjoying a rainbow of produce, both fruits and vegetables will ensure that your body gets all of the many nutrients it needs. Certain fruits and vegetables like blueberries and red peppers can help fight inflammation, a common source of pain in podiatric disorders. Making choices that ensure you get the calcium you need from dairy products, leafy greens, and certain fishes will build strong bones—something that’s important to your feet since over a quarter of all the bones in your body can be found there.

Avoid Diseases that Harm Your Feet—your diet can lower your risk for certain diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Each of these conditions causes problems that can harm your feet such as poor circulation and neuropathy.

If you have questions about ways that your diet can improve the health of your feet, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley, and Dr. Constance Ornelas.  We want to help our patients be proactive about their health and take the necessary steps to lead active lives.

Chances are if you haven’t had sesamoiditis, you may not have any idea what it is. However, at Superior Foot & Ankle Center we often find that for patients suffering from pain in the ball of the foot, sesamoiditis is the cause.

What are Sesamoids?

Sesamoids are a unique structure in the body. They are tiny bones that are embedded in a tendon and are not connected to other bones. They are only found a few places in the body and your feet are one of them. Two sesamoids are located on the bottom of your foot at the base of the big toe. They act kind of like pulleys in the tendon, enabling it to move more easily and helping the big toe with pushing off.

Too Much Pressure

Due to their location and function in the foot sesamoids are exposed to excessive amounts of pressure and force. They can become over stressed or even injured from activities such as running and other sports, dancing, jobs that require you to be on your feet all day and having high arches or wearing high heels frequently. When the sesamoids become inflamed and irritated that is the condition of sesamoiditis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In addition to pain in the ball of the foot, patients with sesamoiditis may also experience pain at the base of the big toe as well as swelling and bruising in that area. The big toe may be stiff and difficult to bend. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas, will want to examine your foot, paying particular attention to the big toe. Digital x-rays (which can be done right in our Long Beach office) and other imaging studies may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

There are a number of treatment options available for sesamoiditis, depending on the extent of the condition, including:

• Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
• Bracing, taping or strapping the toe to relieve pressure and allow healing
• Wearing soft-soled, low-heeled, cushioned footwear.
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy

If you are experiencing symptoms of sesamoiditis, stop any activities that cause pain and contact us for an appointment by calling: (562) 420-9800.