Items filtered by date: February 2023

Children who develop heel pain may be checked for Sever’s disease. It is a condition that can affect children and young teenagers who frequently participate in running and jumping activities. Limping may often be the first sign your child may have this condition, as it may help to reduce the heel pain that accompanies Sever’s disease. This affects the growth plate in the heel, and it is a result of the bones growing faster than the muscles and surrounding tissue. It generally happens during a growth spurt, and performing specific stretches and exercises may help to reduce the pain. The heel and calf muscles can be stretched by standing on a step, and lowering the heels one at a time until a gentle stretch is felt. It is important to practice these stretches while in minimal pain, or the inflammation may increase. A towel stretch can be effective for pain reduction in Sever’s disease. This is done by sitting down with the legs out, wrapping a towel lengthwise around the feet, and pulling the toes slowly toward the body. This stretch can be repeated several times after holding for 30 seconds. If you notice your child is favoring one leg over the other, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat Sever’s disease.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in River Oaks and Sharpstown in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

People who carry additional weight on their body frame may find they have foot pain. The feet carry the weight of the body and painful foot conditions may develop from the excess pounds. Heel pain can be common in people who are overweight and may be indicative of plantar fasciitis, which is an inflamed plantar fascia. This is the band of tissue that is found on the bottom of the feet and connects the heels to the toes. The extra weight can put pressure on this portion of tissue, often resulting in chronic heel pain. Maintaining a consistent exercise program is often necessary to lose weight and having heel pain can make it difficult to pursue. The overall body can benefit from losing additional weight. This can be accomplished by incorporating healthy foods into daily eating habits and starting out with performing gentle stretches. If you are overweight and have any type of foot or heel pain, it is strongly advised that you speak with a podiatrist who can help you with treatment options and offer suggestions for successful weight loss.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in River Oaks and Sharpstown in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The Achilles tendon is located in the calf, and when injured, it can become extremely painful. This tendon connects the heel to the calf muscles and is the largest tendon in the body. An injury to this tendon can make it difficult, if not impossible, to walk, and prompt medical attention is often sought. An Achilles tendon injury can occur from gradual overuse, and it may be common in people who increase speed and distance too quickly while running. The symptoms that many people experience with this type of injury can include pain at the back of the heel, and the affected area may be warm and tender. There may be additional reasons why this condition may happen. These can consist of being overweight, wearing shoes that do not fit properly, or possibly having flat feet. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can perform a diagnosis, and offer correct treatment options.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in River Oaks and Sharpstown in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain can originate from different sources. It is critical to pinpoint the sources of pain to alleviate or prevent it, if possible. Some of the things that can cause ankle pain include arthritis, sprained ankles, and plantar fasciitis. Arthritis is a degenerative condition that wears down bones, tendons, and ligaments in a joint. Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, affect ankle joints more than others. A sprained ankle happens when the ligaments in joints get overstretched or torn from physical activity or injury. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the toes on the bottom of the foot. It can cause severe pain in the heel area, which often leads to shooting pain in the ankles. It is most painful upon rising and taking the first steps of the day. Pain from plantar fasciitis will generally get better with exercise but worsen afterward. If you suffer from ankle pain, see a podiatrist for a full examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in River Oaks and Sharpstown in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.