January 2023

An Achilles tendon tear occurs when the tendon attaching the calf muscle to the heel completely tears. This injury is common and is often seen in middle-aged male sports enthusiasts. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and can be prone to injury when sudden, explosive movement involved in running and jumping sports occurs during sports or exercise. Interestingly, taking certain antibiotics or cortisone shots can increase the likelihood of one tearing their Achilles. When this happens, one will feel a sudden pain behind the ankle. A pop or snap may be heard and one can feel like they have been kicked in the heel suddenly. It will make pointing toes down difficult and there may be swelling and bruising around the tendon. If you feel you might have torn your Achilles tendon or want more information to prevent this painful injury, consult with a podiatrist.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Many people do not have the luxury of working from an office, and they must stand for the majority of the day. Some of these professions are labor-intensive, and people may experience foot pain at the end of the working day. Some methods can be implemented which may help to alleviate uncomfortable foot pain. Wearing thick socks that are made of cotton may help to provide extra cushioning, possibly leading to lessening existing foot pain. Additionally, it is beneficial to wear shoes that fit correctly, and changing them after walking approximately 200 to 400 miles can help to ensure minimal foot discomfort. Elevating the feet frequently may help the overall body to rest, and this is often done by taking breaks as often as possible. Foot pain may interfere with the ability to have a productive work day. If you would like to learn more about how to protect your feet while at work, please speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with helpful tips.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot pain can be caused for a variety of reasons, but ill-fitting shoes are the biggest culprit. And if shoe fit is the reason for foot pain, insoles can be the first line of defense. Insoles are the soft cushions that fit inside most shoes. They work as shock absorbers for the feet. If one wears the same shoe every day, the insoles can start to break down and may need to be replaced. There are different insoles for different needs. An insert, insole, and orthotic are often terms that are used interchangeably, however, they are different. An insert is a thin piece of shoe padding or gel cushion that is placed in shoes to provide relief to pain in heels, arches, and forefeet. They are used for shock absorption, cushioning against pressure, and keeping the feet supported while walking. Insoles are general-purpose, off-the-shelf overlays for shoes that are made of foam. Orthotics are customized inserts that are used to control movement in the feet and legs. They are typically made to order. Visiting a podiatrist is suggested for the proper determination of the best type of insole for your foot discomfort.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. 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 one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When an individual is significantly overweight, it can become more likely that they will experience some kind of foot complication. This is largely because the increased weight essentially puts more pressure on the feet which can cause pain, discomfort, and strain. Obese individuals might be able to benefit from the use of orthotics, which are shoe inserts that are either custom-made or over-the-counter. One important consideration to keep in mind is that people struggling with obesity might benefit from orthotics that are thicker in texture and shape than what is ordinarily worn. Additionally, obese people might benefit from orthotics that are more rigid in shape. The orthotics that are more soft and pliable might not be as effective for obese individuals. This is because a thicker and more rigid orthotic device might be better situated to support the extra weight of an obese individual. If you struggle with obesity, contact a podiatrist today for assistance.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A hammertoe is a condition that makes the toe point upwards at the joint in an unnatural way. As a result, the toe resembles a hammer. There are several ways that a medical professional might go about helping you correct this deformity. Orthotics can play an important role in the correction process. Orthotics are special inserts that can be either custom-made or one-size-fits-all, and they can help people correct deformities or their gait. A medical professional might recommend the use of orthotics for hammertoes. One specific kind of orthotic for hammertoes is known as a hammer toe crest pad. The hammertoe is essentially held in place by this pad, which is positioned underneath the toes. The crest pad resembles a kind of ring that goes around the hammertoe. This device is meant to support and mitigate the hammertoe condition. If you are afflicted with hammertoe and think that you might be a good candidate for orthotics, consult a podiatrist today for more information.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.