Glen Allen Office
(804) 747-3380
When an individual has flat feet, it means they have low or no arches in their feet. With this condition, their feet lie flat on the ground. The arches in the foot provide a spring to the step and help in distributing body weight. Arches need to be sturdy and flexible to accommodate movement on various surfaces. If a person has flat feet, their feet may roll inward when standing or walking which is known as overpronation. Having flat feet or pes planus, can cause no problems whatsoever, or it can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can also affect the legs and impair posture. Children are flat-footed until their teen years. Adults can develop flat feet from genetics or underlying conditions, such as arthritis. Treatment for flat feet can be as simple as wearing supportive and cushioned shoes, obtaining orthotics, and performing exercises to minimize soreness. If you are an adult with flat feet and you experience pain or discomfort, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment options that can provide relief.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms
Treatment
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
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.
Wounds that develop on the feet ought to be taken care of as soon as possible. Ignoring these wounds could make the onset of infections more likely. Importantly, if you are a parent of a young child, you should be aware of the possibility of wounds developing on your child’s feet. Children are susceptible to developing wounds on the feet for many reasons. Most importantly, children are engaged in many types of physical activities throughout the day, such as on the playground or in gym class, and this can make them susceptible to developing such wounds. When your child does develop one of these wounds, it can be useful to remember to wash your hands before and after touching the wound. Also, when treating your child’s foot wound, you might do your best to keep the dressing around the wound dry. If a wound persists or worsens, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for guidance.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, 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.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
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.
There are various reasons patients may choose to have foot surgery, including conditions that involve the small toes. Deformities may develop such as hammertoe and claw toe, and severe cases may require the misaligned tendons to be repaired surgically. Medical ailments which can include rheumatoid arthritis can damage or dislocate the toes, possibly causing severe pain and discomfort. The object of having foot surgery done is to strengthen the toes, which can help shoes to fit comfortably. There are many options for toe surgery, and this depends on what the condition is. Surgery is generally a successful method of putting joints back into their normal place. This may be accomplished by cutting the bones of the toes, which may help them to realign. It is beneficial to prepare the body gradually before the surgery takes place. This can be done by quitting smoking, if applicable, and maintaining a healthy weight. If you have chronic foot or toe pain, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine if foot surgery is correct for you.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
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.
Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek professional help and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.
A stress fracture of the foot can wreak havoc on completing daily activities. It is considered to be a hairline fracture and occurs as a result of overuse from frequently running. The pain from a stress fracture may begin as achiness, and many avid runners tend to ignore this. This can gradually develop into having severe pain, which may force the patient to temporarily cease the offending activity. Stress fractures of the foot are divided into four categories. A metatarsal stress fracture, considered to be the most common, happens in the second metatarsal. Additionally, stress fractures may occur in the heel, sesamoid, and navicular bones, all of which cause pain and discomfort. Stress fractures may also happen from increasing speed and distance too quickly, or running on uneven surfaces. After a diagnosis is performed, which typically involves having an X-ray or other imaging test taken, proper treatment can begin. If you feel you have a stress fracture, it is strongly advised that you speak with a podiatrist who can fit you with a protective boot, and prescribe custom-made orthotics, if necessary.
Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.
Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.
What Are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:
Symptoms
Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.
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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