Items filtered by date: August 2022

Most people who are diabetic know the importance of checking their feet daily, even when their feet feel good. Neuropathy is a common condition that can affect diabetic patients, and it is defined as being unable to feel existing cuts, bruises, or scrapes that have developed on the feet. It can happen as a result of damaged nerve endings from increased levels of insulin in the blood. Washing and drying the feet thoroughly is essential in diabetic foot care. It is suggested to refrain from walking barefoot and to wear comfortable shoes. Additionally, trimming the toenails correctly may help to prevent ingrown toenails, and engaging in a mild exercise routine can help to control blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can frequently check the condition of your feet and offer you correct management techniques.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Over the day, our feet can encounter a significant amount of pressure and friction. If an individual wears tight or ill-fitting footwear, their feet might rub against the shoes in a way that creates a lot of friction. Corns, callus-like areas of the skin, might develop in response to this friction and pressure. A corn is composed of layers of skin that are hardened by keratin. They may form on the toes, around the toes, or on the soles of the feet. Corns on the feet can lead to several complications. If ignored or left untreated, corns on the feet might make it more difficult for you to walk due to increased pain around the corn. Another potentially serious complication is the development of infections. For example, untreated corns could lead to infections like foot ulcers. A corn that is not addressed on your feet might even cause erythema, which is essentially redness caused by inflammation or an injury. You might even experience a pointed burning feeling if your corn is left untreated. These are just some of the many complications that are associated with untreated corns. If you have a corn, contact a podiatrist. Such a professional can help you address the problem and avoid the aforementioned complications.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Admittedly, selecting the right shoe size can feel difficult and somewhat intimidating. However, it is still an important task that can be critical to maintaining the overall health of your feet. For example, selecting tight or ill-fitting footwear can make the foot repeatedly rub against the shoe material, which can potentially lead to foot complications. To select the right shoe size, first, you can consider bringing a tracing of your foot with you to the shoe store. On a piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot with a pencil. When considering shoes to try on at the store, you can place the shoe on the paper. If the shoe is smaller than the outline of your foot, then immediately move on to consider another pair of shoes. Second, to select the ideal shoe size for you, you might consider wearing the same kind of socks while you are shoe shopping that you would ultimately wear with the shoes. This is important because if you normally prefer to wear thick socks, yet you try on shoes with no socks or very thin socks, you might find that the shoes eventually feel tighter than you would like. Being an expert shoe shopper is certainly something that takes practice. For more information on how you can select the right shoe size, consult with a podiatrist.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sore feet can be common as the aging process occurs. It is beneficial to frequently perform simple foot stretches and exercises, and this can promote increased flexibility and range of motion. An effective stretch is done by sitting in a chair, and while keeping the feet flat on the floor. Start by raising the toes off the floor several times, followed by the heels, and hold for a few seconds. The big toe can be stretched by bringing one foot up to rest on the knee of the other leg, and gently stretching the big toe up and down. This can help to maintain a wide range of motion in the toe, in addition to relieving pain from wearing tight shoes. All the toes can receive an adequate stretch when a toe splay is practiced. This is accomplished by keeping the heel on the ground, and moving all the toes at once up and down. There are many additional benefits to stretching the feet, and it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can guide you toward the right stretching techniques.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel pain is a common affliction that podiatrists treat on a daily basis. They see many different forms of heel pain emanating from injuries to soft tissues and other structures, breaks in bones, and arthritis. Soft tissue inflammatory conditions that cause heel pain include plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot), Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the heel), ligament sprains and muscles strains near the heel, and bursitis (inflammation of the bursa sac between the heel and the Achilles tendon). A fractured heel can vary from a small crack to a full break in the bone, and cause a great deal of heel pain. There are also different forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis, which can cause pain and tightness in the heel. To have your heel pain properly diagnosed and treated, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can help devise an effective treatment plan to address your specific condition.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.