April 2017

Those who enjoy hiking as a regular activity should be sure to employ foot care while on the trail to avoid potential pain and injury. The first step to maintaining proper foot care while hiking is to be aware of one’s surroundings. Many hiking-related foot injuries and conditions often occur as a result of not being aware while on the trail: rolled ankles, broken toes, and blisters. When hiking, be sure to wear shoes that are breathable and that either dry quickly or are waterproof. When trying on hiking boots or shoes, finding a great fit is important. With modern innovations in footwear, hiking boots are becoming lighter and more comfortable.

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 The Podiatry Center. 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 one of our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toenail fungus is a foot condition that many people can fall prey to. Symptoms of the condition include yellow or brown nails, nails that split or crumble, or nails that lift up from the nail bed. To avoid developing this uncomfortable and often unsightly condition, professionals recommend the following tips. Keep the toenails trimmed short to avoid debris from building up beneath the nails. Wear shoes that properly fit and that are breathable, as fungus thrives in warm and moist environments. Use antifungal sprays or powders when needed, avoid going barefoot in public facilities, and never share shoes or nail clippers.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Heel spurs are one of several conditions that can cause heel pain in the feet. A heel spur is an outgrowth of the heel bone that is pointed. Heel spurs can develop at the back of the heel, under the heel, or beneath the sole of the foot. The growths themselves are a result of calcium deposits that develop over a few months. Risk factors for the condition include walking gait abnormalities, running or jogging, poorly fitted shoes lacking support, being overweight, old age, diabetes, standing for long periods of time, frequent short bursts of physical activity, and having either flat feet or high arches.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

While wearing proper-fitting shoes is a well-known tip for avoiding foot pain, sometimes it may not be enough. If your shoes are comfortable and fit properly to your feet and you’re still experiencing pain, trying certain foot exercises and stretches may help. Rolling a tennis ball underneath the toes is a great way to massage the entire foot. Using your hands and fingers to stretch between the toes can also give relief. Other exercises include repeating heel and toe raises as well as toegrips, or picking up a pencil using only one foot.

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 The Podiatry Center. 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 one of our offices located in Richmond and Glen Allen, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.