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Arthritis is commonly used as a general term to describe a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness of small joints in the body. Included in the arthritis category are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, which are also the “most common types of arthritis, affecting 1.5 million and 27 million Americans, respectively.” Rheumatoid arthritis can develop quickly, usually affecting the small joints, while osteoarthritis develops over time and can affect any joint on the body. Arthritis pain symptoms are sporadic and should be treated immediately.
Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment,consult with one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will provide you with the foot and ankle information you seek.
Arthritic Foot Care
Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.
In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.
Alleviating Arthritic Pain
· Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
· Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
· Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.
It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly known as an inflammatory autoimmune disease that leads to swelling in the joints in areas of the body like the hands and feet. Constantly managing your rheumatoid arthritis is vital to reducing the onset of symptoms and the progression of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is also suggested to be linked to a higher risk of heart disease, due to drastic changes in lifestyle.
Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will provide you with the foot and ankle information you seek.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet
Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.
Symptoms
- Swelling & pain in the feet
- Stiffness in the feet
- Pain on the ball or sole of feet
- Joint shift and deformation
Diagnosis
Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, motion control running shoes may prevent injury for those with flat feet or feet that overpronate. The study included 386 randomly assigned recreational runners aged 18 to 65 years of age. Each group was assigned either a normal running shoe or a motion control shoe for six months’ time. Of all the injuries sustained during the trial period, 32% of regular shoe wearers suffered an injury while 18% of motional control shoe wearers sustained an injury. This showed that motion control helped those with flat feet, but did not have any effect on those with normal pronation.
Runners can still be prone to running injuries even with proper precautions. For more information about treatment, If you have any questions, consult with one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will provide you with the foot and ankle information you seek.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber, this will help you gain better flexibility.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Taking care of your feet is a routine everyone should make a daily habit of. Your feet support and sustain the weight of your body and are an indicator of your body’s health. To prevent conditions like ingrown toenails, trim your nails regularly and straight across. Wear comfortable shoes that do not put pressure or rub your feet. Consider going barefoot in clean and safe environments. Make a mixture, such as a honey, milk, and lemon juice mix, to soak your feet in. Scrub your feet often and use moisturizers like coconut oil.
Every day foot care is very important, especially for those that are lacking the proper foot care resources. For more information about everyday foot care, consult with one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will provide you with the foot and ankle information you seek.
Every Day 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. After all, 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 example.
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.
Also, 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 Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new form of treatment for patients dealing with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. Known as the Integra Dermal Regeneration Template, the device works to provide immediate wound closure for an ulcer that has lasted over six weeks. With the use of silicone, cow collagen, and shark cartilage, the device allows cell migration, helping new cells grow.
Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet see one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your growing feet in addition to other podiatric-related needs.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes affects millions of people every year. Diabetes can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.
The Importance of Caring for Your Feet
● Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
● Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
● Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.
Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels because blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.
It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Sean Maguire, quarterback for Florida State University, fractured his ankle while making a pass attempt in the first quarter of the game against Houston. He was immediately carted off the field and to the locker room to be evaluated. Following the stint, he decided to continue playing with a wrap on his broken ankle but was intercepted during pass attempts. Florida State ended up losing with a score of 38-24, and Maguire is set to have surgery and will be unable to play practice.
Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you need your feet checked, see one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your growing feet in addition to other podiatric-related needs.
Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.
When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.
Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle
● Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
● Swelling around the area
● Bruising of the area
● Area appears to be deformed
If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
A recent study conducted by the Arthritis Care & Research suggests that smoking or cigarette smoke may possibly lead to lower goutrisks. The research indicates, however, that this “27% lower risk” benefit was noted only in men who were lean, non-overweight smokers. Urate levels in the test subjects were “significantly lower” than those who were previous smokers or who have never smoked. Research has never before been done on the correlation between gout and smoking, and the results are new and inconclusive. 
Finding the right shoe size is pertinent to one’s foot health. Shoes that are too tight can irritate the feet and create blisters or calluses; shoes that are too loose can also cause tripping. When trying on shoes ensure that you select a pair that has solid foot support, sufficient toe room, and either laces or velcro if you intend to exercise in it.
Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Getting the Right Shoe Size
There are many people that wear shoes that are ill-fitting, which affects their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to selecting the right pair.
· When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot
· When measuring your foot with your shoe on, add 1-2 inches to the size
· Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes
· Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently
· Purchase shoes later in the day as your feet swell as the day progresses
· If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes
As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat your feet right by choosing the right pair of shoes that can provide them comfort and mobility with minimal pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
If you are always on your feet, heel pain may be a common occurrence. Changing your fitness routine or putting on a few pounds can also add pressure to the feet, resulting in heel pain. Discomfort in the feet should never be overlooked, but heel pain can often be resolved through stretching. Properly flexing and exercising the muscles in your lower extremity can strengthen and protect your heels and other areas of the foot from future pain.
Anyone can wind up suffering from heel pain. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
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 thing of the past.
With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, Va. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Despite Carmelo Anthony’s insistence of playing against LeBron James during practice, Anthony may have to stay sidelined. Anthony sprained his ankle in the game against the Magic during the third quarter and had to receive treatment the following morning. Anthony is determined, however, to keep playing. “You got to get yourself going mentally. You got to get yourself going physically,” Anthony said in acknowledgment of the challenge of being prepared for his games.
Ankle sprains are common, but need immediate attention. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.
What are the Symptoms?
Mild to moderate bruising
● Limited mobility
● Swelling
● Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)
Preventing a Sprain
● Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
● Stretching before exercises and sports
● Knowing your limits can aid in prevention
Treatment of a Sprain
Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.
If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, Va. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
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