Items filtered by date: March 2023
Top Causes of Ankle Pain After Working Out
If your ankles hurt after completing an aerobic workout, it may be a sign that should not be ignored. The main causes of ankle pain after working out include ill-fitting shoes, an Achilles tendon problem, arthritis, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. It is important to wear shoes that offer ample cushioning and arch support and that you wear the right type of shoe for the activity you are doing. Achilles tendonitis is one of the most common causes of ankle pain because it is prone to overuse. This causes tears in the tissue, which results in pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on joints as you age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tissues in your joints. Tarsal tunnel pain can be caused by compression of a nerve in a portion of the ankle joint. Any of these conditions can be diagnosed by a podiatrist who will offer the appropriate treatment options. It is suggested that you consult a podiatrist if you feel ankle pain after working out.
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 County Wide Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care. 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 Boynton Beach, and Wellington, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Palm Beach County Custom Shoe Orthotics
Many of us have used some type of shoe orthotics in our lives to help maintain our foot health and relieve problems such as sore, aching feet, or to help with arch support. Essentially, shoe orthotics, or insoles, are put into the shoe to provide support that reaches well beyond just the feet. And while purchasing an over-the-counter shoe orthotic may seem like the quick and easy solution, those types of shoe orthotics may not help relieve your foot, leg and back pain. They could even make your foot problems worse!Instead, the best shoe orthotics, those that are custom-made to fit your exact foot, are fundamentally developed to relieve your foot problems and correct your overall gait. That’s right: custom shoe orthotics have the ability to support a wide range of health benefits starting from the feet, going all the way up the spine! And at our Boynton Beach, FL and Wellington, FL offices, we have all the support and technology to create the best custom shoe orthotics for your needs, and even keep a breadth of shoe orthotic options in stock so you can start getting relief that same day!
But before we discuss that, here is some more information about custom shoe orthotics and what you can experience at County Wide Foot, Ankle and Wound Care Associates.
Types of Shoe Orthotics
There are several types of shoe orthotics, and the shoe orthotic you need will differ depending on your current foot condition.
Functional (Rigid) Custom Shoe Orthotics
Functional shoe orthotics are molded for your exact feet. Our team takes an impression of your foot and a custom set of orthotics is developed to completely correct your foot. It’s a lot like custom fitting braces for your teeth!
Functional Shoe Orthotics are long lasting and maintain their shape due to the hard materials they are made from. Functional shoe Orthotics are designed to not only provide additional support to the foot, but also to control the motion of the foot and ankle through the gait cycle. They don’t look like a traditional orthotic because they are molded to correct your exact foot shape. These custom orthotics act more like an external brace for the foot for meaningful stabilization.
The following conditions are indications for functional orthotics:
- Arthritis
- Cavus Foot (high arch)
- Bunion Deformities
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Neuromas
- And more
Accommodative (soft) Custom Orthotics
Accommodative Orthotics are made of soft materials to better cushion the foot. These shoe orthotics can reduce the ground reactive forces that happen throughout the gait cycle by redistributing the weight across the foot. Think of them as “shock absorbers” that help reduce pain and pressure on the heel, reduce compression on the joints, and cushion the toes. We carry a variety of Accommodative custom orthotics at our Boynton Beach, FL and Wellington, FL offices so you can start experiencing same-day relief as your appointment!
The following conditions are indications for accommodative orthotics:
- Diabetes (for prevention of wounds)
- Arthritis
- Foot deformities
Semi-Rigid Custom Shoe Orthotics
Semi-rigid shoe orthotics are made of a combination of soft and hard materials. These shoe orthotics serve two functions: they add support while still helping relieve pressure and absorb shock.
The following conditions are indications for semi-ridgid shoe orthotics:
- A combination of the above listed conditions
- Children with intoed gait
- Children with flat feet
- Athletes who experience foot fatigue often
Over-The-Counter Shoe Orthotics
Over-the-counter shoe orthotics are insoles that many of us are used to seeing and have used at one point or another. They are prefabricated to fit the average person by size. These insoles are a “one size fits all” type of product. While quick, convenient and inexpensive, over-the-counter insoles come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes – and may not fit your shoe, or foot, in an ideal way to provide holistic relief.
Some patients, of course, will experience relief with these shoe orthotics. However, it is important to get evaluated by a podiatrist before purchasing them as they can aggravate or inflame certain foot ailments. Too much pressure on the foot will create a lack of necessary blood flow, as can be the case with overly padded insoles. Over-correcting or under-correcting the arch can be problematic, along with several other factors. Lifespan is another issue to consider as over-the-counter insoles have a “shelf-life” similar to that of your cushioned sneakers and have to be replaced relative to the lifecycle of your shoes.
Custom Foot Orthotics in Palm Beach County
To learn more about our practice and the conditions we treat at County Wide Foot, Ankle and Wound Care Associates, visit our services page. To schedule an in-office or virtual appointment, call 561-369-3300, or schedule your appointment online here
Symptoms and Causes of Metatarsalgia
Pain in the ball of the foot is termed metatarsalgia because it is felt in the area of the metatarsal bones. Metatarsalgia can affect one or all of the five metatarsal bones that connect the toes to the other bones of the foot. Symptoms include a burning or an aching sensation, a sharp shooting pain, and tingling or numbness. Some patients report a feeling of having a tiny pebble inside their shoe under the ball of the foot. One of the most common causes of metatarsalgia is footwear that fits improperly. High heels with pointy toes are frequently a cause of metatarsal pain because these shoes force the ball of the foot into a small space. Another cause of metatarsalgia is high-impact sports, especially running, that put extra pressure on the ball of the foot. Other reasons for metatarsalgia include being overweight, arthritis, certain foot deformities, and aging. If you have pain in the ball of the foot that continues to worsen, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for guidance.
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from County Wide Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care. Our doctors 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 our offices located in Boynton Beach, and Wellington, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Stress Fracture Risk Factors
A stress fracture in the foot essentially occurs when microdamage accumulates and the bones develop small breaks. If you are an athlete or a runner, then you might be particularly interested in preventing the onset of a stress fracture in the foot. There are certain factors that might put athletes at an increased risk of developing stress fractures of some kind. For example, if an athlete has a particularly high running mileage or especially if they are wearing inappropriate footwear, then a stress fracture might be more likely. Also, other risk factors for runners and athletes include training errors and leg length discrepancies. If you are someone that runs frequently and are concerned about developing a stress fracture, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist.
Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from County Wide Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.
Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.
What Are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:
- Runners
- People affected with Osteoporosis
- Tennis or basketball players
- Gymnasts
- High impact workouts
Symptoms
Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Boynton Beach, and Wellington, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Foot Problems Common in Seniors
As a person ages, problems involving the feet become more common. These issues among seniors can interfere with daily activity, increase the risk of falling, and adversely affect other body parts. Among the changes to the feet specifically linked to aging are dry skin, flat feet, hammertoe, toenail changes, and arthritis. Other potential problems include a shortened Achilles tendon, edema, and neuropathy. Dry skin, especially on the feet, can cause cracks in the skin that may result in fissures. Daily moisturizing is often a good preventative measure. Deep cracks in the skin can invite infection and in the worst cases develop into cellulitis. With age also comes a loosening of the ligaments, which can cause the arches of the feet to drop. This can negatively affect body mechanics, cause foot pain, and decrease stability. The Achilles tendon may begin to lose water as one ages, which can develop into drop foot. A decline in estrogen and testosterone production can affect the toenails, which may turn brittle and become thicker. Osteoarthritis, which is also termed wear and tear arthritis, may attack the major joints of the foot, big toe, and ankle. If any of these issues have begun to affect your feet, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist to find out more.
Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from County Wide Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The Elderly and Their Feet
As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.
Common Conditions
- Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
- Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
- Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
- Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
- Shoes that don’t fit properly
- Pressure sores
- Loss of circulation in legs & feet
- Edema & swelling of feet and ankles
Susceptible Infections
Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Boynton Beach, and Wellington, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
