Items filtered by date: August 2022

There are many different reasons why people can feel heel pain. It can be a result of having Achilles tendonitis, a heel spur, or plantar fasciitis. These are the most common causes, and there are various ways the heel bone can be negatively affected. Heel pain can consist of a stabbing, burning pain, or it may be a chronic dull ache. It may be worse upon waking up in the morning, and walking can be difficult. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. Its function is to connect the heels to the toes, in addition to providing stability to the arch. People who enjoy running or who frequently participate in jumping activities may develop this condition, and it can cause severe pain and discomfort. A heel spur is defined as a bony growth that forms on the back of the heel bone, and it can come from extra bone tissue that can be caused by plantar fasciitis. The Achilles tendon is located in the calf, and it connects the heel to the calf muscles. This tendon can become torn or ruptured from an injury, and cause heel pain. If you are experiencing heel pain for any reason, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer you correct treatment options. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Nerve and circulatory damage resulting from diabetes is common and can lead to injuries to the feet and lower legs. In extreme cases, amputation is required. Amputations are the end result of foot or leg ulcers that did not heal or cannot heal. Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are contributing factors to this occurrence. Neuropathy makes it hard to detect cuts and sores, which may become infected. PAD then slows the healing process, causing ulcers, which if left unattended can lead to gangrene. At some point removing the ulcerated area can give way to removing the foot or limb. The two main actions that may help to keep this chain reaction from occurring are blood sugar maintenance and proper foot care. Reducing stress and eating healthy food is a good beginning. Refraining from smoking and alcohol consumption, both of which contribute to nerve damage and poor circulation, is highly recommended by experts. Losing weight and keeping track of blood sugar levels is essential. Daily foot care is imperative, including keeping feet clean and dry and checking for sores, cuts, and blisters. Moving the toes and feet to encourage better blood flow and wearing shoes that fit properly also help. If you have questions regarding proper diabetic foot care, please visit a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Diabetic Limb Salvage

Diabetic limb salvage can be an effective way in preventing the need for limb amputation. If you have a foot ulcer and diabetes, consult with Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Diabetic Limb Salvage?

Diabetic limb salvage is the attempt of saving a limb, such as the foot, that has an infected ulcer, from amputation. Podiatrists also try to make sure that there is enough function in the foot after the salvage that it is still usable. Those with diabetes experience poor blood circulation, which prevents proper healing of an ulcer. If the ulcer is left uncheck, it could become infected, which could result in the need for amputation.

Diabetes is the number one cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Amputation has been found to lead to higher mortality rates. This translates into higher healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life and mobility for amputees. Podiatrists have attempted to increase the prevalence of limb salvage in an attempt to solve these issues.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Limb salvage teams have grown in recent years that utilize a number of different treatments to save the infected limb. This includes podiatrists that specialize in wound care, rehabilitation, orthotics, and surgery. Through a combination of these methods, limb salvage has been found to be an effective treatment for infected limbs, and as an alternative to amputation. Podiatrists will first evaluate the potential for limb salvage and determine if the limb can be saved or must be amputated. 

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

Hallux rigidus is a condition that typically affects the joint between the first long bone of the foot and the big toe. It is called the metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTP for short. Pressure on the bones, ligaments, and tendons of the MTP joint caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes or standing for long periods of time can result in inflammation. The big toe becomes stiff and painful, making it difficult to walk with a normal gait. A faulty distribution of body weight further aggravates the joint and can lead to the destruction of the cartilage. The big toe will hurt when it is moved up and down and sometimes a bone spur will form on the end of the first metatarsal bone. Alterations to footwear, such as avoiding high heels and wearing shoes with a roomier toe box, can bring some relief, but will not stop the progression of the hallux rigidus. It is wise to treat it early for better results. If the stiffness in the big toe does not go away after a few days, please seek the guidance of a podiatrist, who may prescribe both medication and custom orthotics. In more advanced cases, surgery may be an option. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Although a podiatrist can help you maintain the health of your feet, there are many things that you can do every day to practice proper foot health. For example, people other than those with diabetes might consider incorporating a pumice stone into their foot care routine. However, it is important to know exactly how a pumice stone should and should not be used. Pumice stones can be used on the feet to target and remove dry or dead skin. Most commonly, individuals might use a pumice stone to remove dead skin on the heels and around the toes. To use a pumice stone, soak the feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. Also be sure to soak the stone, as you do not want to apply a dry stone to the skin. Apply the stone to the target area, using small circular motions, gently applying a small amount of pressure. Importantly, if you apply too much pressure, you might remove too much skin. After application, rinse your skin and the pumice stone then pat your feet dry. You might even finish up the routine by applying a moisturizer to the feet. Contact a podiatrist to see if adding a pumice stone into your daily foot care routine is right for you.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

There are many and varied causes of foot pain, including injury, overuse, or conditions that result in inflammation involving bones, ligaments, and tendons. Arthritis and neuropathy are also common causes of foot pain, as are deformities like bunions and hammertoe. A number of methods are available to combat foot pain. A warm foot bath containing Epsom salt can be soothing to sore muscles after a long day of walking or standing. But if your feet are hot, swollen, and tired, a cool foot bath may be more effective. A simple foot massage with essential oils can also help reduce pain and promote flexibility. Exercise also has been shown to counteract muscle tightness. Of course, footwear is often one of the problems frequently associated with foot pain. Make sure that your shoes fit properly, providing ample toe room and adequate cushioning. Have corns and calluses that cause you to change walking patterns looked at and removed. If you have flat feet, or other foot deformities, custom orthotics may help alleviate pain. For more information on why you have foot pain and what to do about it, please consult a podiatrist.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor 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 Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.