Items filtered by date: February 2023

Some professionals spend the majority of the working day on their feet. They can range from hairdressers to massage therapists. Sore feet may happen toward the end of the day because of blood pooling in the ankles and feet. It is an obvious choice to wear shoes that are comfortable, preferably with a lower heel and cushioned sole. Foot pain may be reduced while standing on a stress mat. This is a rubber mat that is successful in allowing blood flow to reach the feet, which may help in maintaining good circulation. Additionally, wearing compression socks can help overall blood flow to the body, and can help to reduce strain on the joints and muscles. At the end of the day, many people enjoy soaking their feet. This can be a reward for the feet for standing all day. If you have questions about relief tips from working on your feet, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can help you with the information you are seeking.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Pickleball is a sporting activity that dates back 50 years. It can be compared to tennis and badminton, and the feet can often become injured. Plantar fasciitis is an injury that commonly affects pickleball players. It is defined as an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is found on the sole of the foot. It connects the heel to the toes, and can become inflamed from straining, which can happen from overuse. This sport is played on outdoor asphalt surfaces, and can be extremely demanding on the feet. Many people enjoy playing pickleball for several hours in a row, and may find they are limping off of the court. Effective prevention methods can include wearing shoes that fit correctly, and limiting the play time for this sport. Having an abnormal foot structure, such as flat feet or high arches, may contribute to developing plantar fasciitis. People who enjoy playing pickleball that have these existing foot conditions may benefit from wearing custom-made orthotics. If you would like to have more information about how to protect your feet while playing pickleball, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer you additional prevention methods.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

The overall body, in addition to the feet, may suffer when shoes do not fit correctly. There are simple methods that can help you in getting the right shoe size, and it begins with tracing your foot on a piece of paper. This may be easier with help from a family member or friend, and can be done by using a marker or a measuring tape. Many shoe stores have a Brannock device, which is generally successful in determining your correct shoe size. This can be followed by trying the shoes on and walking in them before being purchased. The majority of people have one foot that is larger than the other, and it is beneficial to choose shoes that will fit the larger foot. Additionally, the best time to purchase shoes is at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest. A podiatrist can provide helpful tips on how to determine what your correct shoe size is. Please confer with this type of doctor who will be able to give you the information you are seeking.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

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.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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