Items filtered by date: March 2022

You may not think about it, but you use your toes daily as a matter of course. It is just part of getting around in life. Like other muscles, those in the toes can get tired, and sometimes they get cramped. Among the main causes of toe cramps are dehydration and overexertion. As you age, your muscle mass is reduced, yes, even in the toes. After the age of 40 it is particularly important to stay active to reduce the stress on the toe muscles. People with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease are even more likely to develop toe cramps as their level of activity diminishes. Low levels of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, sodium or magnesium may also contribute to cramping. There are a number of simple exercises you can do to keep your toes in shape. If excessive toe cramping is part of your life, It’s a good idea to consult a podiatrist for an examination and a treatment plan.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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 West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

It’s easy to forget that the big toe is involved in every step you take. In fact, the big toe controls about 85 percent of the foot and bears more weight than the other four toes combined. So any sharp pain in the big toe can adversely affect your daily life. One of the main causes of big toe pain is gout. This is a form of arthritis that creates redness, burning and pain that can last for 5-10 days. Fortunately, many of the symptoms of gout can be corrected through proper diet, weight, and medication. Another cause of big toe discomfort is sesamoiditis, which is the inflammation of two tiny bones and their surrounding tendons under the big toe. Changing out of high heels, resting the foot, applying ice and receiving corticosteroid injections can help combat this condition. Last, another cause of big toe pain is the inflammation of the soft tissue underneath, sometimes called turf toe. It is quite common in athletes, particularly when the big toe bends back too far and over-stretches the tissue. It is generally brought on by quick movements, pivots and turns. If you are experiencing a sharp pain in the big toe, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible for an exam, a diagnosis, and treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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 West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The proper length of toenails is a personal decision, but the longer they are, the greater the risk of possible problems arising. Common issues can include scratching the skin open, breaking, and/or snagging them on clothing. Toenails should be clipped carefully and filed. Seniors may have a hard time taking care of their own toenails due to a variety of physical restraints. Also, elderly toenails are more likely to get thick and hard because nails grow slower and nail cells can build up. Nails should be trimmed every four to eight weeks depending on growth. Regular visits to a podiatrist can provide an assessment of overall foot health and proper grooming of toenails.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

Exercise keeps our bodies strong! Given that our feet are an integral part of everyday life and getting us where we need to be, it stands to reason that exercising our feet is necessary to keep them strong and healthy. After all, they are relatively small appendages to carry our weight. In addition to improving your overall health, exercising your feet on a regular basis can reduce the risk of injury. When problems arise in your feet causing pain or gait instability, various exercises can be done to improve the issue. A podiatrist can examine your feet, diagnose any current or emerging problems, and suggest exercises to help.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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