Glen Allen Office
(804) 747-3380
The plantar fascia is the thick layer of tissue connecting your heel bone to the toes. This area can become inflamed or tear, causing plantar fasciitis. This painful disorder is sometimes experienced as hot, intense pain in your heel, and it may also cause swelling. Pain can be acute in the morning and sometimes may lessen during an activity once you are warmed up. If you are experiencing inflammation only, your podiatrist may try to treat the area with a variety of therapies including orthotics, taping and strapping, steroid injections and other techniques. If your plantar fascia has torn, this is more serious, and your podiatrist may suggest shockwave therapy—which can be successful in repairing damaged connective tissue and relieving pain without resorting to surgery.
Shockwave therapy is a treatment commonly used to treat various injuries and conditions, particularly plantar fasciitis in the feet. To learn more, consult with 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.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.
Who Benefits from Shockwave?
Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.
Fast and Easy
The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, addressing the source of the problem and allowing treatment to last for a long time.
Treatment & Recovery Time
Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.
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.
Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
Clubfoot is a common deformity amongst newborn babies and occurs when the foot is twisted and pointed. The most common cause of clubfoot occurs when the Achilles tendon is too short, and this pulls the foot up. Thankfully, clubfoot is not painful for the baby, and it is easily treatable. Treatment will be necessary so the baby can learn to walk when they are a toddler. Treatment is most successful when the baby is only a week or two old, but treatment can still be successful if it is done later. While nonsurgical treatment options such as physical therapy, splinting, or casting is preferred, surgery can also be used to treat clubfoot. If your child is born with clubfoot, make sure to consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for treatment.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, 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.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.
Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.
Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.
Be watchful for any pain or injury.
Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.
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.
Fungal nail infections often form when fungi gets into small cracks on the toenails. These infections cause the nail to turn brown or yellow and become thick and crumbly. The fungi that leads to nail infections often thrive in warm and moist environments such as locker rooms, showers, and pool areas. Because of this, it is important to always wear some form of footwear in these environments. Other common ways to prevent toenail infections include frequently washing the feet, not sharing clippers or nail files, wearing a fresh pair of socks daily, wearing breathable footwear, and not sharing footwear with others. When fungal nail infections are left untreated, they can become painful and foul smelling. Therefore, if you do believe that you may have a fungal nail infection, it is important to consult with a podiatrist for treatment options.
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.
Stretching and exercising your feet is an often overlooked step in health and fitness routines. However, keeping the feet strong and flexible is important, as this can help prevent foot and ankle pain, improve your foot health, and keep you active. Though it may seem like an added burden to have to take time to stretch your feet, it can actually be quick, easy, and fun to incorporate foot exercises into your daily routine. One simple exercise that you can do to strengthen the muscles on the top of your feet and toes is towel scrunches. Set a towel down on the floor, then sit in a chair with your feet directly on top of the towel. Using only your toes, scrunch up the towel, pulling it toward you. Do this five times with each foot. For more information about exercising your feet, please consult with a podiatrist.
Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Stretching the Feet
Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.
It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.
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 care needs.
Plantar warts are a small growth on the sole of the foot. They grow because of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that infects the foot through small cracks in the skin. These growths usually form in weight bearing areas, and they usually appear flat. Plantar warts can often look grainy and somewhat rough, and can also be indicated by black dots that are often small clots, pain or tenderness while standing or walking, and thickened hard skin over the wart. If you have a plantar wart, please consult with a podiatrist. A podiatrist will be able to suggest treatments such as cryotherapy, laser treatment, prescriptions or surgery
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
Treatment
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
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.
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