Items filtered by date: July 2022

Friday, 29 July 2022 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Tuesday, 26 July 2022 00:00

Gout Attacks Are Painful

Gout is a form of arthritis and it can create debilitating pain. It affects the joints in the big toe and it is caused by excess uric acid in the blood. This converts to crystals and lodges in the toe joints. There are specific foods that have high levels of purines in them that can lead to gout, consisting of red meat, shellfish, alcohol, and drinks that are made with large levels of sugar. The pain can last for several minutes or hours and is referred to as gout attacks. To obtain a proper diagnosis, a podiatrist may take a sample of the fluid in the joints to determine how to manage long-term gout. There are effective prevention techniques that may eliminate painful gout attacks. These include eating healthy foods daily, reducing alcohol intake, and incorporating a gentle exercise routine. If you would like additional information about how to manage gout and methods that may prevent it, please consult with a podiatrist.

 

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jeffrey Radack, DPM from Texas Regional Foot & Ankle Clinics. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Read more about Everything You Need to Know About Gout
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 00:00

Tendons in the Ankle That Can Cause Pain

Tendons are tissues that connect bones to muscles. Two such tendons, the peroneal tendons and the posterior tibial tendons begin in the leg and travel down at the rear of the ankle before attaching to bones in the foot. They are instrumental in facilitating certain movements of the ankle and foot. They can also be responsible for causing ankle pain. The posterior tibial tendon connects the muscle in the back of the shin bone to the bones in the foot. This tendon can become injured due to overuse or trauma and cause pain that is felt on the inside of the ankle. The peroneal tendons connect certain calf muscles to the foot. They can become inflamed at the ankle joint behind the fibula bone due to trauma or overuse and cause swelling and tenderness, along with pain behind the ankle. Any kind of ankle pain should prompt a visit to the podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Jeffrey Radack, DPM from Texas Regional Foot & Ankle Clinics. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Bursitis
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

 

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There are several reasons why people choose to run. These include losing weight, training for a marathon, or jogging for pure enjoyment. There are different types of shoes for various styles of running, and it is beneficial to choose the type of shoe that fits comfortably, while enhancing the type of running that is desired. There are many factors that can determine what kind of shoes are purchased. These consist of weight, what type of surfaces are run on, and foot structure. Research has shown foot conditions may be avoided when properly fitting running shoes are worn. These include plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, and general aches and pains in the foot and arch area. When the right shoes are worn, they are typically comfortable, and feel like they are part of the foot. Many people who enjoy running prefer to shop at a specialty store where they can get advice in matching their foot type to the appropriate shoe. There are different shoes that target a forefoot or heel striker, and it is important to know what type of running is done. If you would like additional information about how to purchase the correct running shoe, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Jeffrey Radack, DPM from Texas Regional Foot & Ankle Clinics. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

  • Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
  • Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
  • Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Read more about Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Engaging in a sport can be a rewarding and exciting way for children to spend their time. However, as a growing child engages in increased physical activity, they may be at a greater risk for Sever’s disease. This foot affliction occurs when the growth plate in one or both of a child’s heels becomes swollen. The resulting stress put on the heel can make the back of the foot red and inflamed. Children with Sever’s disease can experience pain and discomfort when putting weight on their heel. This condition occurs most often in children during puberty and growth spurts. Usually children are most affected by this condition during sports season. Although Sever’s disease can be painful, there are a number of steps that you can take to help your child mitigate the condition. For example, a child can stretch before engaging in physical activity, paying particular attention to the hamstrings and calf muscles. Also, you can help your child select a good pair of sneakers to make sure that they are getting the proper amount of support they need in their heels. Sever’s disease is certainly not pleasant for any growing child, so you might consult a podiatrist to help your child manage this condition.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Jeffrey Radack, DPM from Texas Regional Foot & Ankle Clinics. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in McKinney and Coppell, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Sever's Disease

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