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If you have diabetes, you are at risk for peripheral neuropathy (nerve dysfunction and pain). Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are burning, tingling, numbness, and other abnormal sensations. This typically occurs in the feet and lower legs or in a stocking-glove pattern (feet and hands). Peripheral neuropathy is the major risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to visit your podiatrist for advice on how to protect your feet and decrease pain.
Dr. Erin Kalla is a foot & ankle specialist in Long Beach, CA. She specializes in foot & ankle surgery, sports medicine, and diabetic foot care.
Trampoline arenas are popping up everywhere. Although they are very fun for kids, they come with high chance of serious injuries such as foot fracture, ankle fracture, sprains and dislocations.
Obviously, it would be impossible to tell your 10 year old who is dying to go to one of these jumping arenas to sit home and watch TV. But you have to make sure they know about the risks and be very cautious when jumping.
At Advanced Foot & Ankle in Long Beach, California, we put a special emphasis on treating young athletes and educating them about the ways to properly care for their feet. Continuing to play sports and remain active after an injury has occurred is common among youth and high school athletes, but can result in an increased chance of severe injury and potentially life-long consequences.
This is why it is important for parents to ask questions regarding any potential foot pain that their son or daughter may be experiencing and to take action in accordance with what they are told.
One of the typical injuries of types of pain that we see among young athletes is heel pain. Most athletes put a tremendous amount of pressure on their feet by wearing cleats or ill-fitted shoes and participating in heavy amounts of running, jumping and kicking and other impactful sport-related actions.
Heel pain is a common complaint and should not be ignored, or be expected to go away on its own when heel pain strikes an athlete; it is generally a symptom of a greater problem and should be viewed as a warning signing that deserves your attention. The heel is designed to support the weight of an individual’s body, but depending on the activity, increased pressure can be applied to the heel when an individual is running or jumping.
Causes of heel pain can include plantar fasciitis, heel bursitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome or potentially a stress fracture in the foot.
Treatment for heel pain will depend of the severity of the pain and the limitations that it is causing. For mild pain, treatment can include inserting cushions into the heel along with reducing activity. If the heel pain is severe or has been occurring for more than a week we recommend bringing the child or teenager in to our office for a consultation to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pedram Aslmand of the Advanced Foot & Ankle Center, use the ZocDoc link located at the top of the website.
Evidence suggests that orthotics help relieve painful knee symptoms and possibly help prevent injury in athletes. The key may be pronation control, which in turn affects leg internal rotation leading to improved alignment. Not all knee pain can be attributed to abnormal pronation, as there are other sources to rule out, such as arthritis and ligmanetous damage.
There are several common symptoms that may indicate misalignment of the feet. You may be a candidate for orthotics if:
One side of the sole of your shoe wears out faster than the other.
You frequently sprain your ankle.
You have chronic heel, knee or lower back pain.
Your shins hurt.
Your toes are not straight.
Your feet point inward or excessively outward when you walk.
Your feet hurt in general.
For more information, please contact the office at: (562) 426-0376
Shin splints are one of the most common running injuries that affect marathon runners. They have been plaguing athletes for centuries, so how can you catch a break from them when you are training for your marathon this fall? Workout intensity and hill training are inevitable in the months leading up to the race, but they cannot be avoided in workouts.
A mistake that most runners make is running through the pain. This may cause pain to become more intense in the surrounding bone tissue and last longer than it normally should. The best option for marathon runners is rest, and research shows that use of shock-absorbing insoles are effective when implemented in training months.
What Causes Shin Splints?
The injury is concentrated around the front of the lower legs, between the knee and ankle, which most doctors refer to as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Mostly affecting people who engage in moderate to heavy physical activity. Sometimes the individual commits to strenuous activity during initial presence which aggravates the condition even further, forcing the individual to stop activity altogether. Shin splints are more likely to occur when leg muscles and tendons are fatigued.
Extreme and excessive force on the shin bone and tissues to muscles surrounding it can swell and cause inflammation. Other causes of shin splints include:
Muscle weakness in thighs and buttocks
Stress reactions to bone fractures
Lack of flexibility
Improper training
Lack of rest
Ill-fitting running shoes
Activities that have multiple starts and stops in running
Running downhill, on slanted surfaces or terrain
How Can I Recover Before the Big Race?
Treatment for the injury first begins by visiting a medical professional to determine the cause of injury and proper recovery methods. Initially, runners should resort to elevating the legs, using ice packs to reduce swelling and anti-inflammatories medication, depending on the level of severity.
Most runners fail to replace their shoes, because they are unaware of when to do so. Marathon runners or amateurs should keep track of the distance their shoes rack up every year. Recommended distance for every runner to replace their shoes is 500 miles, or 800 kilometers. The point of running shoes is to provide support during motion control and when the shoes are no longer in its prime condition, it is time to replace them no matter what their mileage.
According to a study from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the most effective prevention of shin splints involves use of shock-absorbing insoles. Supportive insoles, when used properly align and stabilize the foot and ankle which promote proper running stride. Over the counter or custom-made orthotics are the healthiest investment for runners who suffer from shin splints.
Depending on the severity of pain, shin splints can be corrected before the big race. Every runner alike should rest and recover before engaging in intense activity that requires aggressive foot striking. A medical expert can diagnose symptoms and provide an aggressive approach to correct this type of running injury. Runners with shin splints require rest, proper fitting shoes and supportive insoles or orthotics to make a full recovery just before the marathon.
Marathon Training
Since winter is officially over (it never really happened in Southern California), that means there’s no excuse for not getting outside and enjoying the beautiful weather. One of the best ways to get into shape is to set a goal for the not-too-distant future and design a plan for achieving this goal. Try a marathon race, for example. Running is a great sport to get into. Outside of proper running shoes, which are essential for avoiding injury, there’s virtually no cost. Running a marathon may seem completely out of reach, yet thousands of people from old to young, fit to not-so-fit do it all of the time. Getting into marathon condition is much like the act of running itself—it’s all about pacing.
Pain is Not Gain
Before beginning any sort of physical activity, you have to be realistic about your capabilities. If necessary, consult your doctor to safely determine your fitness level. Once you’re ready to run, go easy on yourself. It’s better to get out and do many, shorter, easier runs, than to do a small number of knee-busting, ankle-twisting exercises. The idea is get into a routine that maximizes time spent exercising and minimizes injury. The old idea that pain is gain is outmoded. Be good to your body, it’s gotten you this far.
Make Resting a Priority
Running requires resting. That’s all there is to it. You don’t train for a marathon by running a marathon every day, or even every week. Often, the actual marathon will be the only time you run the full length of the race. Everything else is about building endurance and avoiding injury. The body, especially the muscles used in running, is a lot like any other piece of complex machinery. There is a very real threat of overloading and overworking yourself. This is why when you draft a workout plan you need to include days of rest. Multiple and frequent rest days, not just when you think you might be exhausted.
Carbs
Runner’s World Magazine reminds us of one of running’s most glorious aspects—it allows us to indulge in carbs without feeling guilty. Carbs are fuel and when you’re running, you need the energy. This may fly in the face of proponents advocating for a zero-carbohydrate diet, but when you’re training for a marathon ignore the carb haters. Of course, you need to be smart about your diet. This is not an excuse to eat a bag of greasy potato chips. Choose your carbs wisely and plan your intake around periods of high calorie burn.
A bunion is a deformity of a joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions develop when the metatarsal bone turns outward, forcing the big toe to point inwards which can cause pain and discomfort as pressure is placed on the foot caused by swelling in the joint.
Bunions are more common in women than men and can be a result of repeatedly squeezing the foot into narrow footwear or shoes that have a pointed toe. Additionally, other factors can contribute to bunion pain including having low arches, loose joints and tendons or hereditary conditions. Bunions can also become painful and irritated when individuals have to remain on their feet for extended periods of time throughout the day such as teachers, construction workers, nurses and dancers.
At Advanced Foot & Ankle Center, we provide conservative treatment options in lieu of surgery. We want our patients to avoid surgery if possible and by supplying personalized, conservative bunion care we can often treat bunion pain without surgery.
Our conservative approach includes determining if the patient is wearing a show that properly fits and contains support in the area of the painful joint. Shoes that can relieve bunion pain should have a wide front and flexible sole to support the arch and cushion the foot. We also recommend gel-pads that can be inserted into shoes to provide stability and cushions to protect again repetitive blows on that area.
Therapeutic options include soaking the foot in warm water and alternating that with a cold ice pack & compression to alleviate pain. Over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin can also reduce pain and swelling in the area, but should not be relied upon as a permanent solution to reduce pain.
If a conservative approach to rehabbing a painful bunion does not result in a decreased amount of pain, then a bunionectomy can be scheduled and performed with minimal downtime and sometimes without the need for crutches or a cane to assist the patient with walking while they recover. For more information about diagnosing and treating bunion pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pedram Aslmand by using the ZocDoc widget at the top of the webpage.
Determining if you require orthotics is often a tough diagnosis to determine without seeing a doctor first. Orthotics can resolve a number of issues with the body including foot and ankle pain, knee pain and even lower back pain. Orthotics can also help with improving posture and reducing the strain on your body’s joints.
how to tell if i need orthoticsOrthotics are inserts that are put inside of the footwear that you already own to help support the foot during walking, running or any sort of activity. Very few individuals were born with perfect feet, which means that the rest of us have feet that can result in painful pressure points, or uneven arches to support our bodies.
Talk With A Doctor About Custom Orthotics
When it comes to determining if you need orthotics for your feet, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Pedram Aslmand. Dr. Aslmand will be able to properly diagnose the pressure points with your feet and if orthotics are necessary, take the proper measurements and testing to get your a custom orthotic built specifically for your feet.
Orthotics are recommended at our office as a way to successfuly and conservatively treat many lower extremity conditions. So contact our office to schedule a convenient consultation to determine the best course of action for your specific foot and ankle ailments.
Torn Achilles
What Are My Options For A Torn Achilles?
As an individual, for sure you want to feel free from any injury that can hinder you from performing your different activities every day. On the other hand, you cannot prevent from having injuries. One of which is Torn Achilles, which is a foot injury that can make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable in your daily living.
Meanwhile, there is nothing to worry about it since there are several treatment options that you can do to stop that painful feeling. The following are some of the most proven and effective solutions for a torn Achilles.
Helpful Treatments for a Torn Achilles
By simply exercising regularly, you can well avoid the painful moments in your tendon area. In addition to this, it can also help you strengthen the area and at the same time reduce the irritation of the latter injury.
To heal your torn Achilles, you can wrap it up with bandages to help lessen the swelling. In connection to this, it is also advisable for you not to wrap it tightly, thus it may affect the circulation of the blood.
Elevation and Ice. To reduce the instances of tension and swelling, you can put your leg up and at the same time put an ice on it for about 20 to 30 minutes every few hours. Definitely, this is one of the most effective ways to attain an easy and fast recovery from your torn Achilles.
Surgery. One of the best options for the improvement of your injury is to undergo in a surgical intervention. Truly, this is one of the safest methods of treatment for common tendon injuries. In addition to this, the surgeon can also identify the best solution on how to improve the status of your injury.
As what doctors usually say, you need to rest in order to reduce the pain and swelling of your torn Achilles. Establishing a proper rest can help you prepare yourself from using any crutch or mobility device that can support your further recovery. Additionally, it will not only improve your mobility, but it can also enhance your overall health.
With the help of a shoe insert, your heel can be elevated and will help reduce the occurrence of tension, swelling as well as strain during the treatment process.
Physical therapy. Physical therapy for people suffering from torn Achilles is also one of the best solutions to attain a painless feeling for a long period of time. On the other hand, the physical therapy will undergo in several stages to produce rewarding as well as affirmative results. The first part is to use the pain to guide the intensity of the exercise. Furthermore, an active ankle dorsiflexion is performed to ease the pain.
Secondly, active ROM, as well as neuromuscular control programs will be initiated for stretching. Lastly, progressive stress is implemented to control the formation of collagen. Furthermore, to reduce the pain, an aggressive stretching as well as an active resisted motion is performed.
With the above mentioned treatment options, you can now have the chance to recover from your torn Achilles in a fast and easy manner.
Hammer-toe-treatment-optionsHammertoe is a common type of foot problem the most often occurs within women who wear high heels with a narrow toe end. Many of these types of shoes can force a woman’s toes against the front side of the shoe. This can cause an unnatural bending of the toes which will result in pain and potential deformity if left unchecked.
A hammertoe is defined as being an unusual or abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. When this occurs the joint can become inflamed and Another type of joint problem is known as mallet toe. This more often occurs near on the joint nearest to the toenail. Both hammertoe and mallet toe are most likely to occur in your second biggest toe.
A hammertoe is easily classified by having an unusual bend in the joints of your toes, usually at least one. If you try to move any of these toes at the affected joint, the result can be very painful. Your toes can develop calluses by the constant rubbing against the insides of your shoes. The pain will increase the longer you put off any form of corrective procedures.
At Advanced Foot & Ankle Center in Long Beach, we recommend a conservative approach to treatment for hammertoe conditions. This includes immediately switching to a shoe that contains a broad spread in the toe area. A good frame way to determine if a shoe is wide enough is to be able to spread your toes out and/or wiggle your toes while they are in the shoe. Depending on the type of activity that the patient does regularly (walking, running, dance, sports), we recommend having the proper type of footwear for each activity.
Next, padding the toes to ensure that they remain in a comfortable, stable position is recommended in order to help return your alignment to normal while reducing the pain that can be felt from the joint bending. The padding will also help to relieve pressure and swelling.
If a conservative approach to hammertoe treatment does not provide relief, a custom-made insert can be beneficial along with cortisone injections to relieve acute pain in the area.
If you are experiencing hammertoe problems and you reside in or around the Long Beach area, please contact Dr. Pedram Aslmand at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center today to schedule a consultation and determine the best course of treatment for your specific hammertoe condition.
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