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November 2022

Tuesday, 29 November 2022 00:00

Flat Feet and Back Pain

As many individuals might already know, a common foot affliction called flat feet is present when a person’s entire foot lays flush against the floor. In other words, the arch of the foot is not discernable and the entire sole, or bottom, of the foot, touches the ground. Flat feet have an interesting connection to back pain that health-conscious people ought to know about. Specifically, having flat feet can increase an individual’s risk of experiencing back pain of some kind. Lower back pain in particular might be especially more likely. One potential explanation for this phenomenon is that flat feet are not able to effectively absorb force and shock. Flat feet also can put stress on other parts of the body, due to the biomechanical misalignment of the feet. Back pain can become more likely. If you have questions about flat feet and back pain, contact a podiatrist today.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM from Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

  • Pain around the heel or arch area
  • Trouble standing on the tip toe
  • Swelling around the inside of the ankle
  • Flat look to one or both feet
  • Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Flat Feet
Tuesday, 22 November 2022 00:00

Pain Can Occur In Different Areas of the Foot

The foot is a complex structure, and many people experience pain in different areas. The bottom of the feet is a common place for the pain to occur, and this can happen for various reasons. One of these areas is the heel, and heel pain can happen from engaging in strenuous exercise, or from standing on hard or uneven surfaces for most of the day. Additionally, the foot condition known as Morton’s neuroma may result in pain in the ball of the foot, and this can happen from wearing shoes that are too small in the toe area, such as high heels. Having flat feet may lead to pain in the arch area, and performing certain stretches may help to diminish existing pain. Toe pain may be a result of gout, which affects the joints in the big toe. Ankle pain can be caused by an ankle sprain or fracture, and the affected foot is generally wrapped with a compression bandage, or a boot or cast is prescribed. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can provide you with the correct treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM from Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 15 November 2022 00:00

Can You Train With Sever’s Disease?

Sever’s disease is a foot condition characterized by a particular kind of heel pain. Commonly occurring in children, Sever’s disease is triggered by the inflammation of the growth plate. Many individuals with Sever’s disease will want to continue engaging in physical activity despite having this condition. Each patient is different and will require unique treatment plans. Generally, however, someone with Sever’s disease can consider switching to a physical activity that is lower-impact, such as cycling or swimming. Additionally, someone with a less severe case of Sever’s disease might consider being more selective about the training activities in which they engage. For example, if an individual is training for football, they might think about participating in activities that do not exacerbate heel pain and substituting others with more low-impact activities. As always, it is best to be cautious. Contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM from Rochester Podiatry, LLP. 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 one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Sever's Disease
Tuesday, 08 November 2022 00:00

Why Heel Pain May Be Present

Our feet are prone to aches and pains, partly because of the weight of the body that is endured daily. Heel pain can occur for various reasons and negatively impact productivity. An Achilles tendon injury may bring pain to the heels and the calf and cause difficulty walking. A condition that many patients suffer from is known as plantar fasciitis, and this happens when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This is the band of tissue that is found on the sole and is needed for pain-free walking, running, and balancing. Sometimes the pain can be unbearable with this condition, and medical attention is often sought. A heel spur is another cause of heel pain, and it is defined as a small bone that grows from the heel as a result of the body’s natural protection against a heel injury. It can cause a considerable amount of pain, despite its small size. If you have heel pain, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer proper treatment techniques.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM of Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Weight change           
  • Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Heel Pain
Monday, 07 November 2022 00:00

Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!

Tuesday, 01 November 2022 00:00

Causes of Heel Pain in Kids

Heel pain in children is usually not serious or lasting. If a child complains of such pain, has tenderness in the back of their foot or ankle, or is limping or walking on their toes, they may be suffering from one of several conditions. A few common causes of heel pain in children are Sever’s disease, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Sever’s disease can cause heel pain in children who participate in sports and are between 5 and 11 years of age. Experts believe it develops from the pull of the Achilles tendon on the still growing heel bone. Achilles tendinitis, where the Achilles tendon gets inflamed, might be the culprit of heel pain, particularly if the child has a sudden increase in repetitive activity. Plantar fasciitis is also an overuse injury that involves irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the arch from the heel to the toes. It is usually worse in the morning and improves as the day wears on. These kinds of injuries typically resolve with rest. However, it is important to see a podiatrist if your child complains of heel or foot pain in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.



 

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM of Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about How to Care for Your Child's Feet
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