Items filtered by date: December 2019

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

The Root Cause of Heel Pain

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Heel PainOne of the most important parts of our body is our feet. Our feet are used in order for us to stand and move. It helps a lot in our everyday living. We use it for walking, running, jogging, jumping, and many more. Its main functions are to assist ambulation, weight transmission, and balance posture. Feet have many parts. One of those is the heels. The heel is located at the posterior end of the foot. It is very important part of one’s foot. It is founded on the projection of one bone, the heel bone or the calcaneus behind the articulation of the lower leg of the bones.

In our everyday living, we used our feet. Therefore, we also used our heels. There are also moments in our life that if we felt tired of walking or running, we experience pain in some parts of our feet. We experienced it at the end of the day. Oftentimes, we experience heel pain. But the question is what heel pain is? What is the root cause of heel pain?
What is the root cause of heel pain?

Nowadays, people are very busy in their everyday work. They went to their respective workplace wearing different kinds of shoes that are appropriate for their jobs. A lot of man wear their regular shoes while women most of the time wear their high heel shoes. It is important to wear shoes that is comfortable for our feet to avoid heel pain. One of the reason why we experience heel pain is because of our wrong choose of our shoes that we usually wear. But that is not only the cause of heel pain, in the popular cases, it has many causes, they are the following:

Heel Bursitis – it is the inflammation of the back part of the heel. It is caused by landing hardly on the heels. Sometimes it is caused by the pressure coming from the footwear. The pain is usually felt at the back of the heel or inside the heel.

Chronic Inflammation of the heel pad – it is caused by weighty footsteps or the pad of the heel becomes too thin.

Severs Disease – It is very common to child or teenage athletes. It is caused by repetitive micro trauma of the heel bone’s growth plates.

Heel Bumps – it is very common cause of heel pain among teenager most especially for the ladies who wear high heels. If the heel bone is not yet completely mature it results to the formation of too much bone.

Stress Fracture – It is common for the athletes. The main commonly cause of this is sports, energetic exercise, and heavy kinds of work.

Despite of the above causes, there is what we call the major cause of heel pain. The major cause of heel pain is the plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is caused usually by biomechanical inequality which results to tension beside the plantar fascia. It is oftentimes referred by medical group as “heel spur syndrome”. Plantar fasciitis happen if plantar fascia is turn to be overstretched, ruptured, or torn. It happens to both men and women. But, it is usually common to women.
Fix the Root Cause of Heel Pain

Heel pain is basically a common problem of the foot. It may not be a serious condition but it really interrupts us in our different doings. It may have a random of causes but we can actually avoid it by taking proper care of our feet, wearing supportive shoes, maintaining healthy weight, increase the level of activity gradually, and of course take enough rest.

It feels so good if we don’t have heel pain, so we must follow the healthy tips on how to avoid this kind of pain. A healthy lifestyle plus proper discipline is our shield to fight heel pain.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

3 Ways to Rehabilitate Fallen Arches

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Rehabilitate Fallen ArchesWhat is fallen arches? What are the main causes of these fallen arches? How can you determine if you have fallen arches? A fallen arch is a form of your feet that causes discomfort and severe pain. Normally, a person with fallen arches can see the arches underneath the foot.

The arches are created by tendons on your feet when they pull. Flat feet or fallen arches are medically called as the per planus that usually occur when your ligaments, small bones and tendons on the bottom of your feet can’t properly support your body, then subsequently collapse.

Thousands of people suffer from sole pains and various aches each year, and the top offender is the flat feet or fallen arches. While this fallen arches concept is something that you’ve heard before, it’s necessary to fully understand it and most importantly if how fallen arches will affect your mind, peace, and orthotic health. Fallen arches or flat feet have common causes and these include; congenital abnormality, torn/stretched tendons, broken bones, nerve conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.
1.) Understanding the type of Fallen Arches

Fallen arches are usually normal, especially to children. It is normal for young ones to have fallen arches at age of five years or sometimes ten years as they take time to the tendons, ligaments and bones on the side of the feet to form the supportive arches. When you notice that way in your kids, don’t panic, especially if it doesn’t cause any pain and problems when they’re walking.

But, they will definitely grow out, so it’s needed to be fix immediately. One of the best way to rehabilitate your flat feet is do a flat surface exam to figure out fallen arches. Moisten the feet then step into dry surface which shows the footprints. If the whole surface of the feet can be distinguished from the footprints, then your child has fallen arches. Whether it occur to children or adult, it’s normal to feel severe pain.
2.) Wear supportive shoes

No matter what type of fallen arches you have, wearing supportive shoes is one of the best ways to rehabilitate your flat feet. Wearing more shoes with arch support can provide benefits and can possibly give total relief to your leg, back or feet symptoms. Look for a comfortable athletic and walking shoes with good arch support firm heel counters, roomy toe case and flexible sole. Wearing more supportive shoes can really help to support your arches and decrease the Achilles and posterior tibial tension.
3.) Consult your Podiatrist

Self-care treatment is good and can reduce the possible risks of flat feet, but the most effective way to rehabilitate your fallen arches is to consult podiatrists. They are more knowledgeable and know how to effectively treat your fallen arches. A podiatrist can specialize the disease that you have in your feet and can provide you the correct treatment. They can do examination and x-rays to determine what type of fallen arches that you have and recommend you the right palliative like orthotic therapy, form of flat feet surgery or casting and bracing of your feet.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

4 Ways to Build Ankle Strength

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Strong AnklesAnkle sprains are one of the most common conditions injuries. The good thing is that it can possibly be avoided by enhancing your ankle strength. There are also many benefits attached in maintaining healthy and strong ankles. Healthy and strong ankles can definitely improve your legs and balance.

Perhaps, most of you think that ankle exercise is just for the athletes. Well, you are wrong, as even regular individuals can do a lot of ways to build ankle strength. Exercise can help you a lot and can be performed while watching TV or sitting down. You can even strengthen your ankles when adding weight for bigger challenge. Working on or stretching your balance could also build ankle strength.
Working out while Sitting

Performing ankle turn is one of the most effective ways that you can do to strengthen your ankles. Apart from that, it is also one easy way of ankle exercise that you can perform. While sitting in your chair, just slide the exercise band or jump rope under a single foot. Then, pull the rope/band to pull your ankle.

After doing that, push against bands’ force and slightly turns your ankle. The bands or the rope are stretching materials that have wider range of movement, that’s why they are very effective to use for strengthening your ankle. You can do it repeatedly as many as you can. You can also use old-shirt if no available jump rope or rubber band.
Performing exercise while standing

This type of ankle exercise is so easy, where you can try your toe raises. If you feel weak or you have issues in proper balancing, you can do this ankle work out placing your back on the wall. Make sure that you are not using anything that has overly weight in your hand while performing the exercise.
Stretching your ankle

This is another way of exercise that you can do to build your ankle strength. Place both of your hands on the wall for about shoulder heights, then prop your right ball touching the wall. You can always repeat doing this type of ankle exercise if you want. Once you experience ankle sprains, you have to immediately check them to prevent possible defects or any serious injury.
Practice Your Balance

Practicing your balance is also one of the most effective ways of exercise that can definitely improve your ankle strength. Stand on the pillow or wobble board with legs that are slightly closer than the shoulder width. After that, squat down in a slowly manner while controlling your squats’ speed.

Then, slowly go back to your standing position. It is best recommended to perform this exercise for about ten squats every in every set. You can repeat doing the set three times or more depending on your ankle strength. If you know more different ways of ankle exercise, you can add them on your list.

Strengthening your ankle is very important to be done now. It will not only help you to be more physically active, but can even enhance your physical performance.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

Do I Need to See a Podiatrist for Corns?

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Corns are one of the top foot conditions that podiatrists see. They’re not contagious, but they can be unsightly and uncomfortable and often leave sufferers combing the internet for home remedies to relieve them. Though corns generally aren’t a serious problem, there are several good reasons to see a podiatrist for corns to ensure that they’re treated safely and effectively.
What are corns?

Corns are similar to calluses, in that they’re areas of hardened skin developed to protect parts of the body.

Hard corns are typically located on the tops or outsides of toes, and have a firm, dense center.
Seed corns show up on the heels and balls of feet, and resemble plugs of hardened skin.
Soft corns are usually found between toes, and are smooth and tender.

While calluses arise in areas subject to friction, corns develop in areas subject to pressure.
Can corns be treated at home?

Many people find themselves asking, “Can I treat the corns on my feet myself?” Unfortunately, this is often not the case. DIY remedies usually involve ingredients like lemon juice in an attempt to soften the hardened skin, or even cutting the corn off at home. These measures may not completely remove the corn, increase the odds of infection, and don’t do anything to prevent its recurrence.
Is it necessary to see a podiatrist for corns?

It’s a good idea to have corns treated by a professional. If they are cut or scraped, they can easily become infected. This is a particular risk in people with diabetes, heart disease, or poor circulation. Sometimes, corns may begin to discharge fluid on their own. This is typically a sign of infection, and warrants a doctor’s visit. In the office, a podiatrist can trim the corn and offer advice to keep it from coming back.

For corn sufferers wondering, “Should I visit a podiatrist for the corns on my feet?” The answer is: Probably. It is best to schedule a consultation to determine the extent of the corn just to be sure. Corns generally aren’t a serious problem, but they can become very uncomfortable and can be quickly and easily taken care of during a podiatrist’s office visit. To schedule a consultation with Advanced Foot and Ankle Center give our office a call at 562-426-0376.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

3 Tips For Choosing The Right Podiatrist

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Long Beach Podiatrist

3 Tips For Choosing The Right Podiatrist

If you are suffering from a foot injury, you need to seek professional care to ensure your current state does not escalate and become a serious medical condition. Podiatrists are medical experts who specialize in foot care. With so many podiatrists available today, picking the right one can be a pain stacking endeavor. Here are three tips that will help you choose best podiatrist in long beach.
Credentials

When looking for the best podiatrist near me, you need to verify their credentials. Not only should a podiatrist be licensed to practice, they should also have the appropriate training. Although podiatrists go through a bachelor’s degree, they are not all the same. There are podiatrists with special skills and training in different areas like high-risk management, sports, surgery, and pediatrics. Therefore, you need to determine a podiatrist’s specialized training or skills to decide whether they are qualified to treat your condition. Your general doctor can help you narrow down the particular skills required for your specific ailment.

Apart from reviewing a podiatrist’s training, you need to check their background. Find out what other cases they have dealt with and their success rate. Determine how long a podiatrist has been practicing and their reputation among the medical fraternity. These queries will not only help you find the right professional but will almost guarantee you the highest quality of treatment.
Techniques

When it comes to foot care, the procedures adopted by the best podiatrist in long beach make a whole lot of a difference. One of the things you need to look out for when picking a podiatrist is the procedures they offer. The more techniques a podiatrist uses, the higher the chance of resolving your problem. The ideal podiatrist should have state of the art equipment for treating different foot conditions. They should also be skilled in applying different methods of treatment.
Charges

When looking for the best podiatrist near me, you should be keen on their charges. Conducting an online search or seeking recommendations from your doctor will help you generate a list of the best podiatrists and the rates of their services. While you should not compromise on quality because of price, it smart to seek out a podiatrist with an affordable treatment plan. When you find a foot care professional who offers friendly prices, ensure they have standard treatment facilities, are licensed, and have the full expertise to treat your condition.

Finding the right podiatrist in long beach is no easy undertaking. You need to bear in mind the potential candidate’s training, treatment options, and charges. You will never go wrong when you conduct your search for a podiatrist guided by these three simple tips.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

Torn Ligament in Ankle: What Does It Feel Like?

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Torn Ligament in AnkleLiving a fun- and activity-filled life is an ideal and healthy goal to aim for. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll in the park, a challenging hiking trip in a forest on uneven terrain, or simply playing with your children in the backyard, your ankles are working hard to support your weight and freedom of movement. Unfortunately, one careless step, or a momentary loss of balance is enough to lead to sudden traumatic injury, causing sprain, rupture, or in severe cases, torn ligament in ankle.

What Are Ligaments and How Do They Work?

Your ankle bones are held together by three strong, elastic bands of connective tissue, the ankle ligaments. Their purpose is to provide support for the bones, while offering a wide range of delicate motions to your feet. Their health is vitally important to allow walking, running, and other weight-bearing physical activities.

What Happens When Ankle Ligaments Are Injured?

Unexpected, sudden twist of your ankle can lead to stretching and tearing of the ligaments, causing various degrees of trauma. In mild cases, the ankle joint is sprained with only minor damage present, however if the injury is severe, your ligaments could partially rupture, or even end up being completely torn.

What Does Torn Ligament in Ankle Feel Like?

When dealing with potential ligament injury, you should look for the following symptoms:

the most common sign of torn ligament in ankle is pain of varying degree; serious discomfort being extremely likely
you may experience swelling and bruising around the affected ankle
standing and putting weight on the injured foot becomes difficult, even impossible
in severe cases, you may have heard a popping sound during your accident

When ligaments are torn, your symptoms are unlikely to improve on their own in the hours following the injury. It is impossible to tell the severity of the damage simply judging from what you feel and see; medical evaluation is almost always necessary.

How Will My Ankle Injury Be Evaluated and What Are My Treatment Options?

During your visit, your medical professional will likely request an x-ray to have a better idea about the extent of your ankle injury. If your ligaments are torn, resting your ankle is vitally important. In order to immobilize the affected joint, an ankle brace may be worn for a period of time to help the ligaments heal, and to provide stability for the ankle. In the meantime, ice and compression may help to relieve the swelling, and elevating your foot will ensure that your ankle receives the proper rest it needs during the healing process. Surgery of the torn ligaments is rarely needed. Unless you experience repeated ankle trauma, your ligaments should heal on their own, provided that the advice of your medical professional is being followed. However, should this injury occur too frequently, surgical tightening of the ligaments may become necessary.

How Long Before I Can Return to My Previous Activities?

While torn ankle ligaments may heal relatively quickly, the gradual rehabilitation of the affected joint is very important. Ask your podiatrist’s advice, start slowly, and move gently. Daily stretching and strengthening exercises are a great way to increase the range of motion until you are able to bear weight on your foot, and movement becomes pain-free once again. This may take a few weeks depending on the severity of your injury, but by following these guidelines and consulting your podiatrist, you can ensure that you will be back to your previous activities quickly and without complications.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

Three Tips for a New Year of Running

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New Year’s resolutions, especially those that involve improving your health, can be a great thing. Of course, we all know how difficult it can be maintain our newfound good habits. What starts with the best of intentions too often ends in regret and frustration. But for those of you who are resolving to run more in the coming year, we want to offer some tips to help you keep it up and get the most out of one of the healthiest hobbies you’ll ever take up.

Set a series of goals and stick to them. Setting goals allows us to track our progress and can greatly enhance the feeling of accomplishment that comes from improving your fitness level. Setting both long- and short-term goals can make the whole process that much easier. At the daily level, set up a routine that you can stick to; try to run at the same time every day that you run, which should be a minimum of three days a week for most people. Every month, try to set a new goal in either the distance or amount of time that you run. Pushing yourself over time helps keep it interesting and fun.
Make sure you have the right equipment. Although running is one of the best exercises you can do, it can also lead to a number of injuries (as we know all too well). Proper running shoes are, of course, essential. But most people are also well-served by custom orthotics. We can make a pair of custom orthotics designed just for your feet, giving you the support and protection for optimal foot and ankle health.
Sign up for a race. There are numerous events every year in most cities, with varying degrees of competitiveness. Whether you choose to do a fun run or engage in some serious competition, having a race to look forward to can help keep you motivated and encourage you to reach new levels of fitness.

However you choose to approach your New Year’s resolutions, no matter what they are, we wish all of you the best of luck in 2014. And for those of you who do choose to run, we’ll be here to help keep you on your feet.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

3 Common Treatments for Cracked Heels

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During the winter months, feet are often covered with thicker socks and cramped into more insulated shoes. While this can keep your feet warm and cozy, it can also lead to dry and irritated skin. As skin dries, it can become cracked and callus and can require some attention to ensure that any problems do not get out of hand.

The reason that cracked heels happen is because the skin gets dry and as pressure is put on them from walking, running or any type of activity, the heel’s skin expands and the dry skin begins to split. This may seem like a minor issue; however cracked heels can lead to more serious problems if an infection is to occur.

To resolve this issue, cracked heels need to absorb moisture to prevent further skin separation, soreness, bleeding and potential infection. Below are 3 quick and easy ways to turn the tide on skin cracking in your heels:

Begin Using A Foot Cream

Getting moisture into the cracked skin is the most effective way to soothe the irritation and get your skin back to normal. We recommend Jergens or Gold Bond Foot Cream for mild cracking or Eucerin for severe cracking. All three products can be found at your local drugstore and are generally cost under $10. Once you have the foot cream, apply it to your heels twice a day, preferably right after you finish drying off from a bath or shower. This will provide the best rate of absorption. Give your moisturized feet 3-5 minutes for the cream to absorb into the skin before putting on socks or shoes.

Cut Back On Washing Your Feet

Washing your feet is an important way to maintain foot health, but too much soap and scrubbing can actually cause more harm than good. Soap will not only kill bacteria on your foot, but it will also remove layers of dense, calloused skin that keeps your foot protected. Instead of washing your feet daily, try washing them every other day, or use a mild cleanser that won’t strip away layers of your skin. As the moisture in your feet returns to normal and the cracking eases, you may return to washing your feet with more regularity.

Drink Plenty of Water to Stay Hydrated

It may not seem like it, but drinking plenty of water helps to hydrate your skin to keep it healthy and free from cracking. During the winter months, your body may not be showing typical signs of dehydration, but it is easy to forget to drink water. As the weather gets cold we are more likely to drink hot coffee or other warm beverages which can actually deplete the body of the water that keeps it hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day will help your skin fight back against dryness. Drinking 3-4 liters of water will help keep your skin hydrated and help your body maintain optimal health.

Cracked heels are a pain that many people deal with, but are also an easy to treat condition. If your cracked heels don’t recover after two weeks of implementing the treatments described above, contact our office and schedule time to see Dr. Aslmand to ensure that the issue gets under control before becoming more serious.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

Recovery Time for Extensor Tendonitis

Extensor Tendonitis

Extensor Tendinitis Defined
Anytime you flex your fingers, wiggle your thumbs, or move your wrist, you’re using the extensor tendons in your hands. When you move your toes or ankles, you’re using the extensor tendons in your feet. Whether in the hands or the feet, extensor tendons are located just under the skin, so they are very vulnerable to damage. Excessive use of the fingers and wrists, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or standing for long periods of time can damage your extensor tendons.

Symptoms of extensor tendinitis can be swelling, discomfort, stiffness, or a gritty feeling when you use the extensor tendon.

Recovery Time for Extensor Tendinitis
Since each individual is unique, recovery time for extensor tendinitis will vary depending on the individual and the severity of the tendinitis . The primary treatment is resting the tendon and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, or NSAIDs. Extensor tendinitis recovery time can be as little as a few days or as long as several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the damage and the individual’s rate of healing.

Physical therapy may be recommended, which can help speed recovery, and stretches are often used to strengthen and heal the tendon. Ultrasounds can help speed the healing process as can steroid injections, although steroids are usually used in more serious cases. Injections will usually limit the use of the foot.

Badly damaged extensor tendons that don’t respond well to other treatments may require surgery. Although surgery is usually well tolerated, it can extend the extensor tendinitis recovery time from several weeks up to several months. Physical therapy will probably be required after surgery.

The key to minimizing the extensor tendinitis recovery time is to avoid placing stress on the damaged tendon. Stretching and strengthening activities may be resumed within a week or thereabouts, but will depend on your unique situation. It may seem tedious and frustrating, but it’s vital to let your body heal at its own pace rather than trying to force the issue and further damage the tendon.

During the recovery period, it’s essential that you listen to your body. If you experience pain while in the recovery period, stop the activity immediately or you may incur additional injury.

Usually, extensor tendinitis is a temporary condition and will abate with proper rest and treatment. However, ignoring the pain that may be experienced both during the injury and in the healing process can permanently damage the tendon. In order to ensure adequate healing, make sure you give your tendon plenty of time to heal, even if it takes several months. In the end, it’s better to spend a little more time healing than to cause irreparable damage to the extensor tendon.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:05

The Three Stages of Ankle Injury Recovery

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Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur in as many as 25,000 people every day in the United States. They occur when you roll, twist, or otherwise turn your ankle in a way that stretches or tears the ligaments that hold your ankle bones together. This can occur during sports or some other physical activity, but you are just as likely to sprain your ankle by walking on an uneven surface.

A sprained ankle may be painful and debilitating, but fortunately the sprained ankle injury recovery process usually doesn’t require surgery. Some cases may only require rest and over-the-counter pain medication, but you should still speak to a doctor to know the severity of your own injury.

The Stages of Ankle Injury Recovery
Regardless of how severe your sprained ankle may be, the sprained ankle injury recovery process can be divided into three stages. The first stage is the acute phase. Depending on the severity of your injury, this stage will last between one and seven days. The goal during the acute phase is to minimize swelling and slowly progress towards walking again. This usually involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, otherwise known as RICE. To be more specific, you will need to stay off of your injured ankle, apply an ice pack to minimize swelling, and keep it elevated. You may need to wear a boot or a brace to stabilize the ligament as it heals. Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen may be taken to help manage your pain.

Stage two is the recovery phase. This is the stage when the ligaments start to heal, and it can last between one and two weeks depending on the severity of the sprain. The goal during this stage is to protect the ankle and begin to restore its function. Your doctor may suggest therapeutic exercises to increase your strength and range of motion.

Stage three is the functional phase. This stage can last for several months if the sprain was particularly severe, but it typically last for a period of weeks. The goal during the functional phase is to restore your ankle to your normal level of activity. You should have full range of motion during this stage, although you may still need to engage in exercises to strengthen your ankle.

The prognosis of ankle sprains tend to be favorable, with most patients making a full recovery. However, severe sprains may result in chronic pain and instability. Speak to your doctor to learn more about the severity of your own ankle injury and how to best proceed during the recovery process.

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