Items filtered by date: September 2022

There are twenty six bones in the foot, and the heel bone is considered to be the largest one. Common causes of heel pain are overuse, and wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. These reasons can lead to painful conditions that can include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, reactive arthritis, or heel spurs. Plantar fasciitis is an ailment that can occur when the tissue that runs along the sole of the foot becomes inflamed, which is known as the plantar fascia. It may be treated by using anti-inflammatory medications, or relief may possibly come from wearing custom-made orthotics. The Achilles tendon is found on the calf, and it connects the heel to the calf muscles. An Achilles tendon injury can lead to heel pain, and it can cause difficulty in walking. There are several types of arthritis, and reactive arthritis is triggered by an infection. It can appear in the joints of the body after the infection has been treated. Patients who develop a heel spur often confuse it with plantar fasciitis. The symptoms are similar, despite the fact that they are two different conditions. A bony growth on the heel is defined as a heel spur, and often needs medical treatment for proper healing. If you have any type of heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause of your heel pain is, and offer correct treatment solutions. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM of Maryland. 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 Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many people often neglect the care of their feet during the winter months. This may lead to reluctance in purchasing summer shoes, and having exposed feet at the beach or at the pool. There are simple everyday foot care practices that can alleviate the need to hide the feet. These include washing and drying the feet daily, followed by using a good moisturizer. Additionally, it is beneficial to properly have the nails trimmed regularly by cutting them at an angle. This may help to reduce the risk of developing an ingrown toenail. The feet will generally feel good when the correct size shoes are worn, which is determined by properly measuring the feet. It is suggested to keep the feet as dry as possible, which may help to prevent a fungal infection from starting. If you would like more information about the importance of and how to practice an effective foot care routine, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor 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 our office located in Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Just as with adults, children’s foot care is important to their health and wellbeing. Children’s feet are more delicate, and they are still growing. Properly fitted shoes are vital. Children can also experience unique foot disorders, such as Sever’s disease, flatfoot, plantar warts, or other conditions or deformities. Most children with flat feet do not have pain, but sometimes this can cause difficulty in a child’s participation in sports, or they may walk or run awkwardly. It can cause pain or cramping in the feet, legs, or knees. Sever’s disease is an inflammation of the heel’s growth plate that usually affects kids between ages 8 and 14 because the heel bone is not yet fully developed. Plantar warts can develop on the feet, usually the soles, from the human papilloma virus (HPV). These warts can be deep in the skin and be painful when walking or standing. Should your child have a problem with their feet or they are experiencing foot pain, seek treatment from a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Babies are born with flat feet, but the arch normally develops over time. However, some people never develop a normal arch, which is known as having flat feet, or pes planus. There are two types of flat feet: flexible and rigid. With flexible flat foot, there is some visible arch when you are sitting. However, when you stand up and put weight on the feet, the arch disappears and your entire foot is flush with the floor. With rigid flat foot, there is never a visible arch whether sitting or standing. Sometimes, flat feet can develop after years of standing, walking, running, and other factors that gradually weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs from the top of the ankle to the arch. This condition is called fallen arches. Flat feet do not always produce symptoms but sometimes can cause foot, ankle, or knee pain, stiffness, fatigue, and weakness in the feet. A podiatrist should be consulted if your flat feet are causing symptoms that are disruptive to your life. They have a variety of methods, devices, and treatments to treat your condition.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. 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 Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.