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Items filtered by date: February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022 00:00

What Causes Ankle Pain?

Ankle pain can have a variety of different causes, perhaps due to an injury while playing a sport or simply by taking an awkward step off of a curb. Excessive exercise or overuse can also lead to ankle pain, as well as unsupportive, tight, or high-heeled shoes. Ankle pain may even exist due to an underlying condition, such as osteoarthritis or gout. Your symptoms, along with the type of pain you are experiencing, can help a chiropodist determine the source of your ankle pain. For example, pain in the ankle and heel, in addition to pain in the calf when standing on your tiptoes, can be indicative of Achilles tendonitis. Redness or swelling of the ankle, along with a dull aching pain, could be bursitis. If you hear a popping sound and experience extreme pain after an injury or a fall, you may have a broken ankle. If you are afflicted with any type of ankle pain it is important to speak with a chiropodist who can properly diagnose and treat your condition. 

Ankle pain is a common symptom of many lower limb problems. If you are experiencing ankle pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

The ankle is composed of a number of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many conditions which may cause ankle pain. 

Causes

  • Ankle strains or sprains

  • Achilles tendon injuries

  • Fractures

  • Bursitis

  • Arthritis

  • Gout

  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms

If you have ankle pain, you may also experience a variety of other symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Some of these symptoms may include ankle swelling, bruising, redness, numbness or tingling, instability, and difficulty walking.

Diagnosis

The underlying cause of ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. Diagnoses are typically made based on your medical history, a physical examination of the affected ankle, and imaging studies such as X-rays. 

Treatment

Treatment for your ankle pain will depend on its underlying cause. Often, the chiropodist will recommend that you rest the affected ankle. You might also need to ice, compress, and elevate the ankle, wear an orthotic device, or take medications to reduce pain and inflammation. 

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

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Tuesday, 15 February 2022 00:00

Poor Wound Healing and Diabetes

Poor wound healing, especially on the feet, is a common complication of diabetes. The decreased sensation in the lower limbs that often accompanies diabetes, called peripheral neuropathy, can make it difficult to detect cuts, scrapes, and sores on the bottom of the feet. Poor circulation, another condition associated with diabetes, can cause wounds to heal very slowly. Left unnoticed and untreated, wounds on the bottom of the feet can become infected. If you have diabetes, it is important to take steps to prevent wounds and to practice proper wound care should one develop. Wounds may be prevented by properly managing your blood glucose levels, washing and drying the feet thoroughly, wearing comfortable supportive shoes, and performing daily foot inspections to look for any cuts or sores. If you find a wound, treat it promptly by cleaning the wound and covering it with a bandage. If a foot wound is healing poorly or showing signs of infection, it is strongly suggested that you find a chiropodist who can help take care of your feet.

Wound care is the process of treating and preventing wounds on the feet. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as diabetic foot wounds are common and can lead to serious complications when left untreated. To learn more about proper wound care, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Why Is Wound Care Important for Diabetics?

While wound care is important for maintaining the health of your feet, it is especially important for people with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation, causing foot wounds to heal very slowly or not to heal at all. Diabetics also frequently suffer from neuropathy or nerve loss. This means no matter how big or little the wound, they might not feel it on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. This is why it is imperative that diabetics complete daily foot checks.

Wound Care Basics

The best way to care for wounds is to prevent them in the first place. It is recommended that people with diabetes perform a daily examination of their feet to locate cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds. Early detection allows for ample time to treat the wounds and prevent further complications. If you notice a wound at home, you can clean it using water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Seeing a chiropodist, who can examine your feet thoroughly and treat any existing wounds, can also help you maintain proper foot health. 

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

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Wednesday, 09 February 2022 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Tuesday, 08 February 2022 00:00

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition in which the plantar fascia, a ligament that stretches along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. It is often caused by overuse or repeated impact on the heel, which occurs when we walk, run, or stand. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp pain near the heel that is typically at its worst first thing in the morning or after exercising. Plantar fasciitis can be treated through activity modifications, wearing orthotics, and regularly stretching the feet. For more information about plantar fasciitis, please consult with a chiropodist today. 

Plantar fasciitis can be painful and interfere with your daily activities. If you are experiencing foot or heel pain and believe you may be afflicted with plantar fasciitis, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Repetitive activities, such as running or jumping, can injure the plantar fascia over time. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by flat feet, high arches, pregnancy, and activities that put excessive pressure on your feet, like standing all day for work. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it causes pain and discomfort. 

Symptoms

Typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Stabbing pain near the heel

  • Pain that is worst in the morning or after a period of rest

  • Pain that increases after exercising

  • Swelling

  • Tightness in the Achilles tendon

Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is typically diagnosed via medical history and physical examination. 

Treatment

Treatments for plantar fasciitis include resting and icing the affected foot, stretching the foot, taking medications to reduce inflammation, and wearing orthotics. In severe cases where pain does not improve with conservative treatments, injections or surgery may be recommended. 

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

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Tuesday, 01 February 2022 00:00

Why Is Exercising the Feet Important?

They say the feet are the foundation of our bodies, but how often do you stretch your feet? Having strong and flexible feet can help reduce muscle soreness as well as foot and ankle pain. Performing gentle stretches regularly can also help keep the feet limber and improve their range of motion. There are various types of foot exercises that you can perform to strengthen different parts of the foot. Toe curls, for example, strengthen the muscles on the top of the foot and toes. To perform toe curls, lay a towel on the floor and sit down in a chair placing your feet flat on the towel. Scrunch your toes to pull the towel towards you and repeat five times with each foot. It is important to stay active and maintain the overall health of the feet. For additional exercises that can help stretch and strengthen your feet, consult with a chiropodist today. 

Stretching the feet can improve their flexibility and overall strength, and can help prevent or reduce the impact of foot injuries. For more information about stretching your feet, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Why Stretching the Feet Is Important

Your feet support the weight of your entire body as you go about your daily activities. As with any other part of your body, stretching and exercising the feet can help maintain their overall health, reduce foot pain, and prevent future injuries. 

How to Stretch 

There are a variety of foot stretches and exercises that you may try. It is recommended that you speak with a chiropodist to learn which exercises are best for you. 

Some examples include: 

  • Heel Raises - Hold onto a wall for balance as you slowly rise up on your tiptoes. Hold the position for several seconds, then lower your feet back to the ground. Repeat 10 times. 

  • Toe Splay - Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Spread your toes as far apart as you can, holding for several seconds. Repeat 10 times. 

  • Towel Scrunches - Sit in a chair and lay a towel flat on the floor in front of you, placing your foot on top of it. Using only your toes, scrunch up the towel pulling it towards you. Repeat several times with each foot. 

  • Plantar Fascia Massage - Sit in a chair and place a round or cylindrical object (such as a tennis ball, water bottle, or foam roller) under the arch of your foot. Slowly push your foot forward and backward while applying pressure to the object. Maintain the object between your heel and toes. Do this for about 30 seconds. Repeat on the other foot. 

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

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