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Southwestern Foot and Ankle Associates, P.C
11500 Highway 121, Building 700, Suite 710
Frisco, TX 75035

March 2018

Wednesday, 28 March 2018 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Monday, 26 March 2018 00:00

Types of Heel Pain

There are many types of heel pain experienced by the majority of the population at some point in their lives. Heel pain can affect many people, including those who stand for extended periods of time, people who are overweight, and pregnant women whose heels endure additional weight. There may be specific disorders which can contribute to heel pain, including diabetes, arthritis, or nerve enlargement, often referred to as neuroma. If heel pain is evident, it may be indicative of a condition known as plantar fasciitis, which can occur from an injury affecting the tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot. Heel pain can also represent other conditions such as heel spurs or Sever’s disease, in which the growth plate of the heel is inhibited, typically affecting children aged 8 to 16. If your daily activities are hindered by heel pain, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist for additional information and a proper diagnosis.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Tran of Southwestern Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Heel Pain
Wednesday, 21 March 2018 00:00

Before you start dancing...

 

Monday, 19 March 2018 00:00

Can Airplane Travel Affect Circulation?

If you’ve been on an airplane for several hours, you may know that circulation problems in the feet can develop. It typically occurs when your feet have limited mobility due to small areas. The formation of blood clots can be a result of poor circulation and can be prevalent in diabetics. Generally, the symptoms are easily noticed and may consist of tingling, pain, and swelling in the area where the clot has formed. There are several ways to protect the feet from poor circulation, and these may include avoiding foods that are salty, stretching the feet as often as possible, and walking up and down the aisle of the airplane. If you experience symptoms of this ailment, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist for more information on ways to avoid poor circulation.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Thomas Tran of Southwestern Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C.. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

  • Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
  • Numbness or cramping in the legs 
  • Skin discoloration
  • Slower nail & hair growth
  • Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Poor Blood Circulation in the Feet
Wednesday, 14 March 2018 00:00

Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Monday, 12 March 2018 00:00

Causes of Flat Feet

If the sole of your foot comes in full contact with the ground, you may have a condition referred to as flat feet, or fallen arches. The majority of babies are born with flat feet and generally will last until the age of 10, when the arches will develop. It’s commonly believed that a predisposed inherited gene may be the cause of this ailment. The muscles of the foot may become weakened due to an injury. Alternatively, if incorrect shoes have been worn with little or no support, flat feet may often be the result. Additional causes may include wearing high heels, how the feet age, and standing for long stretches of time in poorly fitting shoes. In some cases, the tendon that connects the heel to the calf is affected. This is called the Achilles tendon, and if this become injured, extreme discomfort is often experienced. Surgery may be recommended as an option for relieving pain. Having flat feet may also occur as an adult, and contributing factors such as diabetes and obesity may be significant causes. Please consider scheduling a consultation with a podiatrist for more information about flat feet.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Thomas Tran from Southwestern Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C.. Our doctor 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

  • Pain around the heel or arch area
  • Trouble standing on the tip toe
  • Swelling around the inside of the ankle
  • Flat look to one or both feet
  • Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

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 our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Flat Feet
Monday, 05 March 2018 00:00

How Stress Fractures Affects Runners

If you’re a disciplined and serious runner, one of the most uncomfortable things that can happen is to endure a stress fracture. This condition is typically frequent among runners, commonly due to the repeated force that’s applied when the foot meets the ground. Runners will often ignore the dull pain when the fracture first occurs, but this will only worsen the condition. There are generally no obvious symptoms for stress fractures, such as bruising or excessive swelling, so obtaining a proper diagnosis may be difficult. Having an MRI performed may possibly be an effective method of determining whether a stress fracture exists, as the pain may be indicative of other ailments that result in similar foot pain. Treatment plans that allow the fracture to heal completely can involve ceasing all running activities temporarily and wearing a walking boot to help with stability. It typically takes 6-8 weeks to completely heal the fracture, and practicing non-impact activities, such as swimming, can aid in the desire for cardiovascular exercise. A consultation with a podiatrist is suggested if you have any questions regarding stress fractures.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Thomas Tran from Southwestern Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C.. Our doctor 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:

  • Runners                                  
  • People affected with Osteoporosis
  • Tennis or basketball players
  • Gymnasts
  • High impact workouts

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 our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
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