The Achilles tendon is the primary tendon utilized in gait. Meaning that every step, every jump, every run you take you puts mechanical pressure on it. This can result in a lot of wear and tear on this tendon. This can begin to manifest as some pain and even swelling in the Achilles. The irritation usually begins where it attaches to the foot or a few inches above the ankle. Most people that experience Achilles’ tendon pain will be avid exercises. Additionally, it seems to be men rather than woman and between the ages of 40-60.

Evaluating the condition of the tendon before treatment is important. A thorough exam by a physician is essential. There are a lot of factors that play a role in Achilles’ tendonitis and these need to be addressed. These range from foot structure, to training errors to tight muscles. An x-ray or even and MRI may need to be part of the evaluation process. Once the deforming forces and anatomical issues are identified a recovery program can begin.

I encourage anybody with Achilles’ tendon pain to seek help from a physician. This tendon is known to often take months before returning to a normal state. While it is inflamed you run the risk of rupturing the tendon. If the tendon ruptures surgery is required and it can take 6-12 months to completely heal from that scenario.

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Millions of people are affected by diabetes each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in all parts of the body, especially the feet. The legs and feet may develop slow blood flow, which causes neuropathy, or nerve damage. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is important that the feet are well taken care of. Otherwise, the lower limbs may have to be amputated. This only happens in drastic cases, but it shows how seriously diabetic foot care should be taken.

It is very important to always wash and dry the feet thoroughly, especially in between the toes, if you’re a diabetic. Secondly, examining your feet and toes for redness or sores must be done, even if you do not feel pain.  You may also want to examine your feet from the bottom. Try to avoid wearing colored socks to prevent infections that may occur from the dye. Well-fitting socks are also highly recommended.

A diabetic’s physician should always monitor their blood levels to test how well blood sugars are being maintained. In addition to giving advice about everyday eating habits and foot care, a physician may prescribe medicine to help with the diabetic patient’s neuropathy. It is also advised to see a podiatrist if experiencing any feet conditions. Toenails may also need to be taken care of by a podiatrist. This prevents patients from cutting too deeply around their cuticles, which can lead to infection.

A person can take care of their feet at home by following the instructions of their physician. Using creams on one’s feet is also an effective way to heal dryness. Proceed with caution when using tools to remove calluses, as severe diabetics may not be able to feel pain on their feet. If any complications arise do not hesitate to contact a podiatrist.

On a daily basis, diabetic feet must be checked. If you are ever concerned about something, contact your health care professional. You never want to wait until a wound becomes too severe to treat. If left untreated, gangrene may develop. Gangrene is a serious infection that can lead to sepsis or amputation. It is also important for diabetics to be on the lookout for ulcers. Ulcers are sores that develop from tissue loss on the skin. They can be quite painful and require intensive treatment. Early treatment and everyday inspection are imperative to staying healthy.

This is probably one of the most common questions I hear when patients come in for a consultation. I think this question is easy to answer, however does have a few details that need to be addressed. I think the most important details are family history, activity level and expectations.

Family history, most bunions have a family history component. There is usually a parent or grandparent that has had a bunion. I think of this as the future of one’s foot structure. Does a relative take off their shoe and all their toes are crossing over? Is there a history of other members having their bunions fixed? These are good questions to answer and can be helpful in deciding to fix your bunion.

Activity level is another important thing to consider. Are you having a hard time exercising due to the pain? Is it getting difficult to fit shoes or boots? I also like patients to think about what your long-term fitness goals are. Will your feet hold up for these? It is vital for our overall health and sense of well being to stay active.

Expectations should be clearly stated and discussed with your surgeon. Do you expect your bunion foot to be exactly like the foot without a bunion? What are your time frames regarding healing? Do you have any up coming obligations like a vacation or wedding? I think taking a critical look at how you hope the surgery goes and how you want to recover can be helpful

These are not inclusive of every detail to help with decision making but are a good place to start. The most important thing is to have your foot evaluated and discuss your goals with your surgeon. If you have a bunion and want to have it evaluated and a detailed plan put in place please give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment today.

Hammertoes are when your digits on your feet begin to curl. Typically, this is seen with a flat foot or a bunion deformity. However, they can occur in isolation or because of trauma. The deformity itself is usually progressive and can become increasing painful and more severe.

Conservative measures, there are very few available for hammer toes. Some people may find a change in shoe gear can provide some relief. Others will try pads and splints to cushion the toes are create some space. I have never seen these provide long term solutions are change in the hammer toe itself.

Surgical repair continues to be the only long-term solution. Surgery for a hammer toe is relatively straight forward and can provide excellent correction. It is important to consider other underlying factors or pathologies that are contributing to the toes position. I recommend having these addressed at the same time.

If you have some painful digits, we can help. 

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today today. 

In foot care, vascular testing may be required in the diagnosing and treatment of certain podiatric conditions. Vascular testing is particularly relevant for patients with high-risk diabetes, poor circulation, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Procedures typically involve the examination of blood vessels throughout the body for blockages or buildup.

Vascular testing is very important for the diagnosis of various conditions, including peripheral artery disease and chronic venous insufficiency, as these conditions can greatly affect one’s quality of life and cause pain in the lower limbs. Circulatory problems in the feet and ankles can reflect issues throughout the body, making testing of the blood vessels pertinent.

Testing methods vary between practitioners and can be specific to certain foot and ankle problems. Modern technology has brought about the ability to perform vascular testing using non-invasive methods, such as the cuff-based PADnet testing device. This device records the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)/Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) values and Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) waveforms. Contact your podiatrist to determine what vascular testing is available for your needs.

Neuromas usually present as forefoot pain that is common in woman between the ages of 40-60. Most patients describe a burning or tingling that is worse in shoes. This is most common between the 3rd and 4th toes but can also be present between the 2nd and 3rd. This is primarily do to the anatomical design of the foot and the coming together of nerves in that location.

There are many different treatment options for neuromas and to date one is the most successful. Treatments options can range from toe spacers to injections and physical therapy. The most successful seem to be injection therapies and offloading of the nerve. A well-made prescription orthotic can be extremely helpful for active patients.

Injection therapy is the mainstay of neuroma treatments. Currently the most successful by far is alcohol injections. Alcohol injections work via osmosis by dehydrating the nerve. Our nerves are primarily composed of water and if alcohol is injected adjacent to the nerve over time the nerve will shrink. The nerves that are involved with neuroma formation are sensory nerves. This means these nerves provide pain input and do not contribute to any movement of the toes. The most promising part of alcohol injections is the success rate. The literate states these injections are 89% successful. This is a great option for anybody not wanting surgery.

I have been utilizing alcohol injection therapy for more than 10 years. I can tell you it is highly successful but user dependent. What I mean by that is you need to have a physician that is doing a lot of these to get the best result. I also advise do not have a physician inject without the use of an ultrasound. An ultrasound is key to the successful outcome. Ultrasound helps to identify the nerve and then one can watch the needle placement and the injection will be highly successful. Again I cannot stress that enough, find a physician with an ultrasound so you have the best possible outcome!

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Plantar fasciitis continues to be the most common source of heel pain. The majority of our heel pain patients are still presenting with fasciitis. Patients usually feel pain in the morning or after sitting for a short period of time. The symptoms can range from burning and tingling in the heel to a bruised like sensation when walking. There does not need to be any history of trauma or even an increase in exercise. The major causes continue to be anatomical and foot structure related.

I can tell you I have been treating plantar fasciitis now for almost 15 years. I would say a conservative estimate is probably close to 10,000 patients that I have treated for heel pain. I have learned a lot with this time and quantity. I continue to read and learn and study each patient. This has provided me with a unique perspective. I would say I am probably one of the foremost experts on heel pain.

The best long-term treatment to date that I have discovered is utilizing one’s own biology to heel the plantar fasciitis. This condition is created when the fascia is overworked and needs to be strengthened structurally and functionally. The technique I utilize is unique to my practice and has taken years to perfect. Basically I harness a patient’s natural ability to heal and utilize that to repair the fascia. There is no down time, and the success rate is close to 97%. If you suffer from fasciitis make an appointment today and I will help.

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.