Foot/Ankle

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition marked by inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. When this tissue becomes stressed and inflamed, it leads to pain and stiffness, particularly in the heel area.

Causes:

• Overuse: Repetitive stress on the plantar fascia is the leading cause. This can stem from activities like running, jumping, or long periods of standing.
• Foot Structure: Flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal walking pattern can increase stress on the plantar fascia.
• Tight calf muscles: When your calf muscles are tight, they add extra tension to the plantar fascia.
• Obesity: Extra weight adds more pressure on your feet.
• Age: Plantar fasciitis is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.

Symptoms:

• Heel Pain: The most common symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel, particularly with the first few steps in the morning or after periods of rest.
• Pain Worsening Over Time: The pain may subside with activity initially but usually worsens after prolonged periods of standing or exercise.
• Stiffness: The heel and foot may feel stiff and less flexible.

Treatment:

Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve with conservative treatments at home. Here are some options:

• Rest: Reduce activities that aggravate the pain.
• Ice:Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
• Stretching: Exercises targeting the plantar fascia and calf muscles can be very helpful.
• Over-the-counter pain relief: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can temporarily reduce pain and inflammation.
• Night Splints: These devices keep the plantar fascia in a slightly stretched position overnight, helping alleviate morning pain.
• Supportive Footwear: Choose shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
• Orthotics: Custom orthotic inserts can provide extra support and distribute pressure.
More Advanced Treatments:

If home treatments dont provide enough relief, your doctor might recommend:

• Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can guide you through specific exercises and stretches.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Injections into the affected area may offer temporary pain relief.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): This uses sound waves to stimulate healing.
• Surgery: Rarely needed, but in severe, persistent cases, surgery may be necessary to release tension in the plantar fascia.

Important Note:

If you are experiencing heel pain, its important to consult with a doctor or podiatrist for proper diagnosis and to create a tailored treatment plan.

What is Ingrown Toenails?

• An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side edge of your toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it.
• It usually affects your big toe, but can happen to any of your toes.
• It causes pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes an infection.

Causes:

• Improper trimming: Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the corners can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
• Tight shoes: Shoes that crowd your toes put pressure on them, pushing the skin against the nail.
• Injury: Stubbing your toe or other injuries can make you prone to ingrown toenails.
• Nail shape: Naturally curved or thick toenails have a higher risk of becoming ingrown.
• Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to ingrown toenails due to inherited factors.

Treatment:

Treatment for an ingrown toenail depends on its severity:

• Home Remedies (For mild cases):
  • Soaking: Soak your foot in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes, several times a day. This softens the skin and nail.
  • Lifting the nail: Gently lift the edge of the ingrown nail and place a small piece of cotton or dental floss underneath to separate the nail from the skin.
  • Topical antibiotics: Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
  • Comfortable shoes: Wear open-toed shoes or sandals until the ingrown toenail improves.
• Professional Treatment (For severe or infected cases):
  • Partial nail removal: Your doctor may numb your toe and remove the ingrown section of the nail.
  • Permanent nail removal: In cases of recurrent ingrown toenails, a doctor may remove part of the nail along with the underlying nail bed to prevent regrowth.

Prevention:

• Proper trimming: Cut your toenails straight across, and avoid cutting them too short.
• Comfortable shoes: Choose shoes with plenty of room in the toe box.
• Foot protection: Wear protective footwear if your job puts your toes at risk.
• Manage underlying conditions: If diabetes or other health conditions contribute to ingrown toenails, seek proper management.

Important Note:

If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or signs of infection (pus, increasing redness, or fever), please see a podiatrist or doctor immediately for professional treatment of your ingrown toenail.

Flat feet (also known as pes planus or fallen arches) is a condition where the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened. This causes the entire sole of your foot to touch the floor when you stand up.

Heres a visual representation of flat feet vs. a normal arch:

• Flat Feet: The entire sole of the foot makes contact with the ground.

• Normal Foot: There is a visible arch on the inside of the foot.

Causes:

• Childhood development: Its common for infants and toddlers to have flat feet because the arches havent fully developed yet. The arch usually forms during childhood. Sometimes the arch never fully develops.
• Injury or wear and tear: Tendon damage, inflammation in the feet, or arthritis can cause flat feet.
• Other conditions: Certain health conditions like obesity, pregnancy, and genetic conditions can increase the risk of flat feet.

Symptoms:

Many people with flat feet dont experience any problems. However, some possible symptoms include:

• Foot pain, especially in the heel or arch.
• Pain along the shin bone.
• Awkwardness when walking.
• Feet that tire easily.
• Swelling along the inside of the ankle.

Do I Need to See a Doctor? You should see a doctor if:

• You have significant pain in your feet.
• Your flat feet developed suddenly or after an injury.
• Your feet feel weak or numb.

Treatment:

Most of the time, flat feet dont require treatment. If treatment is needed, options include:

• Special Exercisesy: To stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in your feet.
• Arch supports: Over-the-counter or custom-made inserts for your shoes.
• Supportive Shoes: Shoes designed to support the structure of the feet.
• Physical Therapy: To learn exercises and get guidance on foot health.
• Surgery: Rarely needed, but in severe cases, it might be recommended.

Remember:

If you are experiencing hip pain or any of the symptoms mentioned above, its important to consult with a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and discuss the best treatment options for you.

Ankle Fracture

Ankle injuries are the most common sports-related injury. An ankle fracture is a break in one or more bones that make up the ankle joint. Sometimes ligaments may also be damaged. Ankle fractures are most often caused by motor vehicle accident, rolling or twisting of ankle, and by tripping or falling. People participating in sports such as basketball, football, soccer and skiing are at a high risk of developing ankle fractures.

Common symptoms of an ankle fracture include pain and swelling around the ankle, bruising, tender to touch, inability to walk on the leg, and deformity if the ankle is dislocated.

Following an ankle injury it is important to have the ankle evaluated by your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is made based on the history of injury and physical examination of the ankle. In addition, the surgeon may order X-ray of the ankle to determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment varies with the type and severity of the injury. The common method of treatment of ankle fractures is adequate rest, ice application, leg elevation, and medications to reduce swelling and pain. A short leg cast or a brace may be applied over the fractured ankle to provide support. If there is severe injury, excessive swelling or severe pain, you should seek immediate medical treatment.

Some ankle fractures are treated with a splint, which is placed on the ankle for few days until the swelling subsides. Once the swelling decreases a cast may be placed on the ankle to hold the broken bone in a specific place. Surgery may be needed to realign the bones before placing the splint. During surgery, your doctor may place metal screws, plates, or rods to hold the broken bone intact until the healing happens. In some cases, crutches may be used to prevent the ankle from bearing weight.

It is important to use proper fitting shoes for the particular sports activity to reduce the chances of injury.

Remember:

If you are experiencing hip pain or any of the symptoms mentioned above, its important to consult with a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and discuss the best treatment options for you.