Gout is a common and painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It often affects the big toe but can occur in ankles, knees, and other joints. Symptoms include sudden, intense pain, redness, swelling, warmth, and stiffness in the affected area. The affected joint looks inflamed and feels extremely tender, especially at night. Gout can be triggered by a diet high in purines, which consists of foods like red meat or seafood. Other factors include genetics, alcohol, dehydration, obesity, and certain medications. Left untreated, gout can lead to joint damage and chronic pain. A podiatrist can diagnose gout through an examination and imaging or lab tests. They may recommend medications to reduce inflammation and lower uric acid levels, lifestyle changes like diet modification, and custom footwear to reduce joint pressure. If you have this painful condition, t is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious ailment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 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.

Mueller‑Weiss syndrome is a rare condition that affects the middle of the foot, but podiatrists are seeing it more frequently. It occurs when the navicular bone, located at the top of the arch, loses its blood supply and begins to collapse. This can lead to chronic foot pain, stiffness, and changes in the shape of the foot. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, it may be linked to abnormal foot structure, past injuries, or uneven pressure on the foot over time. Most patients are adults, often women in their forties to sixties, and the pain usually develops slowly. Because it can be mistaken for other foot issues, a proper diagnosis is important. Treatment may include custom orthotics, special shoes, targeted exercises, or surgery, in severe cases. If you have ongoing midfoot pain, a podiatric evaluation is suggested.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, 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.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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 tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Arch pain often results from injury or structural problems within the foot. The arch, made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons, plays an important role in absorbing shock, supporting body weight, and maintaining balance. A common cause of arch pain is overpronation, where the foot rolls inward during walking, straining the arch and nearby tissues. Cavus foot, a condition marked by a high arch, may increase pressure on certain areas of the foot, leading to pain and instability. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction can weaken the tendon that helps hold up the arch, causing pain along the inside of the foot and ankle. Flat feet, nerve conditions, overuse, and physical strain are also known to contribute to arch discomfort. A podiatrist can help identify the underlying cause and provide treatment, which may include orthotics, bracing, or surgery. If you have pain in the arch of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment options.

If you have any 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.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression condition affecting the foot and ankle, similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist. It occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is compressed as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space located behind the inner ankle bone and covered by a thick ligament. This pressure may be caused by flat feet, swelling, trauma, varicose veins, or space-occupying growths, such as ganglion cysts. As the nerve becomes irritated, patients often experience tingling, burning pain, numbness, or electric shock sensations along the inside of the ankle or the bottom of the foot. A podiatrist can assess nerve function with physical tests and imaging, and may recommend nerve studies to confirm the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. In cases where symptoms persist, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure on the nerve. If you are experiencing numbing in the inner ankle and foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, 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.

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
• 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 offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting people of all ages, especially runners, people who stand for long hours, or those with flat feet or high arches. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that supports the arch, called the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed or strained. Classic symptoms include sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning, but it can also cause aching in the arch, tightness in the calf, or a burning sensation that worsens with prolonged activity. Left untreated, pain from plantar fasciitis can alter the way you walk and lead to knee, hip, or back issues. A podiatrist can diagnose plantar fasciitis through physical exams and imaging, if needed. They offer targeted treatments, such as custom orthotics, stretching plans, night splints, or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, 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.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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.