Items filtered by date: September 2023

For runners, black toenails and toenail loss can be distressing issues that affect comfort and performance. Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to maintain strong and healthy toenails while pursuing your passion for running. It all starts with choosing the right footwear. Opt for running shoes that provide ample toe room, ensuring your toenails aren't cramped or subjected to undue pressure. Moisture management plays an important role; keeping your feet dry and utilizing moisture-wicking socks can prevent nail softening and potential damage. Be diligent about lacing your shoes securely to prevent your feet from shifting forward and affecting the front of the shoe. Additionally, consider a gradual approach to increasing training intensity to minimize the repetitive stress on your toenails. By following these proactive measures, you can safeguard your toenails from becoming bruised or falling off. If you have problems with your toenails as a result of running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for expert guidance and care. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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.

When it comes to high heels, opinions vary widely. Some find them elegant and empowering, while others associate them with discomfort. If you belong to the latter group, it might be because you have not discovered the right heel height for your feet. Comfort varies from person to person, depending on foot shape, shoe type, and experience with heels. The average heel height is around 3 inches, falling into the mid-height range. Low heels are 1 to 2 inches, while high heels are 3 to 4 inches. Finding your ideal heel height may require some experimentation. It's a good idea to prioritize foot health and alternate between heels and flats. To measure heel height, place the shoe on a flat surface and measure from the bottom of the heel to where it connects to the shoe. If you would like to wear heels, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to get advice on wearing this type of shoe for your particular feet and prioritizing style and comfort.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, 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.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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 needs.

In the field of podiatry, a significant shift has occurred over the past four decades. Initially, due to the challenges of obtaining hospital privileges, most podiatry surgeries were performed in-office. In-office surgery may seem unconventional to younger podiatrists, but it is an opportunity with benefits for both patients and doctors. With advancements in technology and cost-effective tools, in-office surgery offers practical solutions for common podiatric conditions. In addition to reducing costs, in-office surgery saves time, enhances patient convenience, and aligns with the changing landscape of healthcare. It is cost-effective and good for minimally invasive procedures. With local anesthesia and modern techniques, complications are minimal, and recovery is faster. While hospital-based surgery remains essential for certain cases, in-office surgery presents a valuable option for many podiatric procedures. Patients can have more immediate healing and cost savings, and podiatrists have an opportunity to diversify their practice and improve patient outcomes. If you need foot surgery, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss whether they provide in-office procedures.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas. 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:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

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:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

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 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 needs.

The toes are often overlooked in adulthood, but they play a vital role in our balance and mobility. Each toe, except the big toe, is comprised of three bones each and supports roughly 75% of our body weight during walking, balance, and movement. Proper toe function involves spreading them wide for stability and providing a boost as the foot lifts off the ground, aiding stride length and speed. Toes also serve as information conduits, relaying shifts in body weight to the brain for adjustments. When toes are injured or stiff, it can impact your gait and lead to imbalances in other muscles and joints, potentially causing issues like knee, hip, or lower back pain. Ill-fitting shoes and tight socks can lead to cramped toes, resulting in painful bunions and an increased risk of fungal infections. Treatment for toe pain varies, with anti-inflammatories or pain relief for conditions like gout or arthritis. Mechanical issues in the foot can also cause toe pain, affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you have toe pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to assess your feet and gait to identify the underlying cause and prevent it from affecting other body parts

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. 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 Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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.