Displaying items by tag: Orthotics

One thing just about everyone knows about hammertoe is how to recognize it. The telltale downward bend of the toe in the shape of a hammer make it an obvious deformity to spot. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we have found that beyond its appearance, many patients don’t have all the facts about this condition. Below are some common questions and answers about hammertoe:

1. What’s the cause of hammertoe? This condition is often the result of a muscle imbalance but can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that don’t fit well or styles that have narrow toe boxes or force the foot into the front of the shoe, like high heels. Other possible factors in a hammertoe forming are genetics and arthritis.
2. Which toes are affected? The second, third and fourth toe are usually the ones affected by this condition.
3. Is all the pain and discomfort in the joint? No. While the abnormal position of the toe does cause inflammation, pain and discomfort, corns often form on the top of the toe due to the friction of rubbing on shoes and calluses may develop in the ball of the foot from the excessive pressure caused by the bent toe.
4. How are hammertoes treated? Treatment of hammertoe is multi-dimensional. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will want to perform a complete examination of your toes and feet, which may include x-rays. If you are experiencing a fair amount of pain, anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections may be recommended to reduce the pain and inflammation. To correct the hammertoe, custom orthotics and/or splinting and taping the affected toe may be an option. Physical therapy and exercise can help stretch and strengthen the toe.
5. Will hammertoe go away without treatment? Hammertoe is a progressive condition. In fact, if left untreated, the toe will become increasingly rigid in its bent position and eventually will only be correctable with surgery.

If you have noticed any signs of hammertoe, the sooner you get it evaluated the less intense and more successful non-surgical treatment is likely to be. Contact our Long Beach office for an appointment by calling: 562-420-9800.

A common condition that we treat at Superior Foot & Ankle Center is the bunion. A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe which forms when the bone of the joint moves out of place and toward the second toe. The further the toe moves the more the framework of the foot becomes deformed and the bigger the bump that forms on the outside of the toe grows. Bunions can cause considerable pain due to all the weight and pressure put on the big toe as you walk and also from the friction that occurs from shoes rubbing on the protrusion. Other symptoms include inflammation and redness, a burning sensation and numbness. Bunions are progressive. Over time, corns or calluses may form on the toe and the range of motion may become limited.

What’s Behind a Bunion?

Bunions form as a result of an abnormality in the structure of the foot which shifts the forces exerted on the joints and tendons in a way that causes instability and ultimately deformity of the joint. Possible reasons for this include:

• Inherited faulty foot mechanics
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Consistently wearing shoes that have narrow toe boxes and/or are too small, squeezing the toes together in an unnatural position

Treatment and Relief

Many people suffer unnecessarily with bunions. It is true that when bunions are severe and causing serious disability and pain that surgery may be needed to remove the bony enlargement and correct the alignment of the toe joint. Before reaching that point, however, there are several conservative treatment options available, including:

• Changing to shoes with wide toe boxes and avoiding high heels
• Padding and/or taping the toe to reduce pain and keep the toe in its correct position
• Ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections to lessen pain and inflammation
• Custom orthotic inserts for your shoes to correct toe alignment and take pressure off the painful area

You won’t know what relief is available until you have one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas examine your bunion and determine its severity. If you are suffering with bunion symptoms, contact our Long Beach office by calling 562-420-9800 for an appointment today.

Although corns and calluses are very common and something we treat often at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we often find that our patients have a number of misconceptions about them. Find out how much you know about corns and calluses with our true/false statements below:

Corns and Calluses are pretty much the same thing.

False. Although corns and calluses both involve the thickening of the skin in response to repeated pressure, corns have a small, hard center.

Corns and calluses are basically skin problems.

False. Actually, corns and calluses are indications of a bone problem. They form in response to an internal issue in your foot. You might have a heel spur or a dropped metatarsal head under the ball of your foot. When there is a bony enlargement or a bone is out of place and receives excessive pressure as you walk a callus or corn may form as a way of protecting the tissue beneath the surface of the skin.

Calluses can be painful.

True. Nerves can become compressed and bursa sacs inflamed when you continue to exert pressure on an area where a callus has formed. This pain can range from aching and sore to extremely sharp or stabbing pains. Another cause of pain is the friction caused by shoes rubbing over the callus or corn which can create a blister or an open sore and possibly lead to an infection.

Treatment for calluses can include orthotics, cortisone injections and even surgery.

True. Technically the callus itself can be removed with exfoliation or an over the counter product or at the podiatrist’s office but it’s the underlying cause that needs to be treated in order for the callus to be permanently eliminated. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will examine your foot and determine the problem beneath the callus. Relief from pain and pressure on the affected area may be achieved with a cortisone injection or by using orthotics to shift weight away from the trouble spot. Surgery may be recommended to remove a spur or correct a bone that has become displaced.

If you have a callus or corn that causing you discomfort, contact us for an appointment at our Long Beach office.

The day after a particularly intense workout or a long run you may notice pain ranging from mild to extreme in the lower part of the back of your leg. Or, you may be noticing a sluggish feeling in your leg accompanied by stiffness and/or a dull ache that lessens as you stretch the leg and get going with your day. All of these are possible symptoms of Achilles tendonitis—an inflammation of the large tendon that runs between the bottom of your calf muscle and your heel that we see often at Superior Foot & Ankle Center.

Tendonitis is primarily caused by overuse or trauma to the tendon. Scenarios that can result in inflammation and injury to the Achilles tendon include:

• Suddenly increasing the distance or intensity of your run or workout
• Doing too much too soon in a new exercise routine or starting up after a period of inactivity
• Overpronation
• Inappropriate footwear choices
• Not stretching enough before sports or exercise
• A trauma to the tendon caused by a sudden or wrenching movement (like taking off for a sprint)
• Heel bone deformity
• Age related wear and tear

Treatment and Prevention

Mild cases of Achilles tendonitis can be resolved by resting the leg and avoiding activities that put stress on the tendon. If the pain is persistent however, and doesn’t seem to improve with rest, it’s time for an appointment with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas. The foot doctor can evaluate just how severe the tendonitis is and make recommendations for relief. These may include: icing, specific stretching exercises to do before and after exercise and a heel cup or other orthotic device to help prevent overpronation and increase arch support. Wearing properly fitting shoes that are designed for the sport or activity you do and following a sound program that increases in intensity gradually can help prevent inflammation the Achilles tendon.

To learn more about how to prevent or treat Achilles tendonitis, call our Long Beach office at: (562) 420-9800.

How to Treat Bone Spurs

Have you been experiencing a sharp pain in your foot, but you can’t figure out why? Chances are that you have developed a condition called bone spurs.

A bone spur is a small bony growth or a collection of growths which form on joints like the spine, shoulders, hands, hips, knees, and the feet. While we will be focusing on the feet, much of the information below will apply to bone spur treatment in general:

Bone Spurs: Causes

A bone spur occurs when the body attempts to repair itself by building extra bone on areas affected by long periods of pressure, rubbing, or stress.

Bone spurs rarely cause pain on their own. If they grow on the feet, however, calluses may form to cushion the affected area. As the wear and tear on the joints continue, the spurs may compress the surrounding ligaments, tendons, or nerves. This results in injury to the surrounding tissue, in addition to swelling, pain, and tearing.

There are several factors which may contribute to a bone spur. The aging process is partly to blame: cartilage, which covers the ends of bones in a joint, slowly wears away due to a process called osteoarthritis. The damage to the joints will lead to pain and swelling, and will often result in a bone spur. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of bone spurs in joints of the feet and spine.

Tight ligaments will also make you more vulnerable to bone spurs. Many factors can cause this tightness, including strenuous activities which affect the feet like dancing, running, long periods of walking, basketball, and tennis. Other factors include:

• Obesity: excess weight will result in excess pressure on the feet.
• Tight-fitting shoes (like high-heels) can put undue pressure on the feet, causing stress and tightness in the foot, particularly in the heel. Shoes which lack proper arch support, like worn-out shoes, can worsen this problem as well.
• Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament. Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia and other muscles in the feet can lead to increased wear and tear on the heel.
• Abnormalities in walking.
• Diabetes.
• Occupations which require long periods of standing.
• Flat feet or high arches.

Bone Spurs: Treatment

Bone spurs rarely require treatment, unless they cause frequent pain or damage to surrounding tissues. Unless these symptoms are present, it is difficult to detect a bone spur without an X-ray (though it is rare to use an X-ray for this condition, since it rarely causes symptoms). Since heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are closely related, many of the same treatment methods for plantar fasciitis will be used for bone spurs as well. Consider these tips to find relief:

• Resting from the activity causing the bone spur will be recommended. If it cannot be avoided (due to an occupation, for example), ice the affected area immediately after the activity is finished.
• If you have a heel spur, warming up before a strenuous activity and stretching the calf muscles may also be helpful. These stretches will gently lengthen the calf muscle, relaxing the tissue surrounding the heel. Commit to stretching several times throughout the day, particularly in the morning and after a prolonged period of sitting or standing, when the muscles in the feet are stiffest.
• If osteoarthritis or plantar fasciitis are causing pain or damage, weight loss will reduce pressure on the joints and mitigate symptoms.
• Learn how to take proper care of your joints.
• Visit a physical therapist to have an ultrasound or deep tissue massage, especially if your pain is related to plantar fasciitis.
• Wear shoes with good arch and heel support. Try using an orthotic insert in your shoe, to add more support or padding for a corn or callus.
• A doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid injection to reduce pain and inflammation. This will be more of a last resort, since side effects may exacerbate symptoms, especially with heel spurs.
• Discuss surgical removal of the bone spur, which will loosen the plantar fascia.

Consult the Experts

Bone spurs are difficult to detect, and the volume of potential variables related to foot pain can make it difficult to determine the cause. If you’re suffering from foot pain, schedule your consultation with expert podiatrist Dr. Vikki today. Dr. Vikki has a reputed record of patient satisfaction, and is the trusted podiatrist of Special Olympic athletes.

For this and all related foot care concerns, the caring professionals at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center are happy to help with your podiatric needs.

It is very important to have shoes that have just the right amount of arch support, particularly for those who transition into boots during the winter time. Seasonal Footwear all have their own unique support issues. Most boots lack the cushion and support that sneakers have while summer sandals do not provide proper ankle support.

Wearing appropriately-fitted shoes is a key part of keeping your feet healthy and in working order. You need shoes with good arch support and stable shoes, but it can be difficult to find the footwear that provides the best orthopedic fit for your feet. Without proper arch supports you leave yourself open to developing pain in your heels, ankles, knees and even lower back.

Dr. Foley and Dr. Ornelas of Superior Foot & Ankle Center have compiled a list of shoes and shoe retailers that are best suited to prevent a variety of foot-related injuries and issues. This list separates shoes by athletic categories, such as running, cross-training, basketball, hiking and golf. To avoid these problems you should always find shoes that have just the right amount of arch support or else wear orthotic insoles.

Here’s some information about what orthotics are and what different kinds are available.

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts that correct a number of foot-related problems from flat feet to heal pain. While they do not fix any major biomechanical problems with your feet, they do provide relief for minor aches and pains.

Over the Counter Orthotics

There are a number of different kinds of over-the-counter orthotics that treat minor foot problems and alleviate pain. For example, arch supports can help correct fallen arches or flat feet while gel inserts help relieve foot and heel pain.

Prescription Orthotics

If you find that over-the-counter orthotics are not alleviating your pain, and it is best to consult a foot care professional about getting prescription orthotics. Prescription orthotics are high-quality inserts that address your specific foot care needs. These custom orthotics correct any number of serious foot problems from plantar fasciitis to abnormal motion. In addition, custom orthotics can relieve severe pain in your feet, knees, shins and back. They can even be used to help diabetic treat their painful foot ulcers and calluses. Prescription Orthotics are created by taking a mold or scan of your feet, so you know that your individual foot issues are being addressed.

Other Things You Should Know

You can find orthotics that are designed to fit and work inside high heel shoes.

Because over the counter orthotics can take a while to break in it is best to wear them around the house for a few days before wearing them to work. Many shoe brands come with extra padding and support. For example Cole Haan dress shoes and boots all come with Nike Air inserts.

Over the counter inserts can last anywhere from 3 months to a year, depending upon how much standing and walking you do at your job. For this reason, people with jobs that require a lot of standing and walking such as nurses and waitresses should have a spare pair of inserts just in case.

Now that you know the importance of having proper foot support in all of your shoes no matter what season it is, be sure to use orthotics to correct and prevent pain. If you are experiencing foot pain, no matter how minor, it is important to speak to a foot care professional as soon as possible to discuss ways to correct this issue. If you have any questions about orthotics; please feel free to contact us today to schedule a consultation.