Items filtered by date: January 2023

The toes significantly contribute to maintaining balance in the body, in addition to how we walk, stand, and run. The foot condition known as hammertoe is a deformity that causes the second and third toes to bend downward at the middle joint, often resembling a hammer. Hammertoes can cause corns to develop on top of the affected toes due to them constantly rubbing against the top of the shoe. Hammertoes are often caused by the type of shoes that are worn, which generally do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. This can affect the muscles in the toes and the toes may be unable to stretch and flex normally. The symptoms gradually occur, and the patient may not notice until the joints become stiff. Existing medical conditions like arthritis, bunions, or abnormal arches may increase the risk of hammertoe. Patients can find mild relief when specific stretches are performed that include the toes as well as protective pads on top of the toes. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you effective treatment options.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Heel spurs are pesky little bony growths that can develop on the bottom of the heel bone in the feet. Heel spurs are shaped like hooks. Since orthotics are devices that can help mitigate pain and treat foot conditions, many patients with heel spurs are curious about whether or not orthotics may be used to treat heel spurs. Interestingly, heel spur inserts can help with just that. Orthotic devices used for heel spurs typically come with significantly deep heel cups. Additionally, they will have major cushioning that is meant to increase the extent to which the device absorbs shock during weight-bearing activities. Typically, these orthotic devices can be made of a range of different materials, including foam and gel. If you are someone that struggles with heel spurs, consider contacting a podiatrist today to learn if you would benefit from the use of orthotics. Schedule an appointment today.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most widespread afflictions of the foot that primarily affects the plantar fascia. It occurs when this part of the foot becomes aggravated and inflamed. Plantar fasciitis has an interesting history which may be helpful in knowing to learn more about this ailment. The condition was first described in the year 1812 by a man named Wood. Wood attributed the condition to tuberculosis at the time. Over the years, plantar fasciitis has gone by different names. For example, it has sometimes been called painful heel syndrome or subcalcaneal pain. As time progressed and the field of podiatry developed, modern science learned more about plantar fasciitis. Today, it is one of the most common conditions that modern podiatrists are trained in identifying and treating. If you believe that you may have plantar fasciitis, contact a podiatrist today.

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 Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners 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 Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many people have taken to running as a way of improving their overall health, but with this form of exercise comes an ever-present risk of injury to the ankles and feet. The four main categories of running injuries are overuse, trauma, fractures, and sprains and strains. The risk of these types of injuries is enhanced by being overweight, increased distance, and running in worn-out shoes. One of the top overuse injuries incurred by runners is plantar fasciitis, which causes heel and arch pain. A second overuse injury that is common to runners is Achilles tendinopathy. The pain runs down the back of the leg to the heel, causing stiffness and swelling. Another common running injury is ankle sprains, the result of twisting or turning your foot beyond its natural limits. This stretches or tears the ligaments that hold the ankle in place, resulting in pain and swelling. The first and best way to avoid running injuries is to invest in properly fitted shoes that offer the support and cushioning needed. For information about preventing running injuries, please consult a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Ingrown toenails can be a particularly nettlesome affliction of the foot and it is described as occurring when the side of the toenail grows into the side of the skin. At the point at which the nail grows into the skin, the individual can feel pain and inflammation. There are several things that an individual might consider doing to mitigate the condition and the pain that can sometimes be felt from the ingrown toenail. In particular, soaking the feet in salt water may help to mitigate the condition as well as reduce the swelling in the feet. Soaking might even make the nails softer, making it easier to cut them. It is important to remember, however, that cutting an ingrown toenail is best left to medical professionals who best know how to safely perform this procedure. If you have an ingrown toenail and are suffering from pain and discomfort, please contact a podiatrist who will be able to help you treat the condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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