Items filtered by date: July 2022

For most people, toe deformities show up later in life, often as the result of wearing improper or ill-fitting footwear for many years. These deformities also can be caused by nerve or muscle damage, as well as a number of other conditions. The three most common deformities of the toe joints are similar but not the same: hammertoe, mallet toe, and claw toe. The toes have a number of joints, two in the big toe and three in the other toes. Hammertoe and mallet toe affect one joint. Claw toe affects all three joints. Hammertoe occurs when the middle joint bends down to the floor, causing the other joints to bend up. This results in a bump on the top of the toe. With a mallet toe, most common to the 2nd toe, the end joint flexes permanently, preventing the toe from straightening. Claw toe occurs when the two end joints flex and curl the toe downward. As a result the first joint compensates by hyperextending, resulting in a curled toe that looks like a claw. It often affects the four smaller toes. If you have developed any of these deformities, please consult a podiatrist for an exam and possible treatment options. 

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of the podiatrists from JE Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Fleming Island and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are many people who take excellent care of the skin on their body by using different lotions and moisturizers, but the feet are often neglected. They carry the weight of the body, and a small amount of foot pampering can go a long way. There are several bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons in each foot, and this can make the feet susceptible to injury and stress. Performing gentle foot stretches and exercises can be beneficial in maintaining complete range of motion, and this can also help in balancing. It is important to wash and dry the feet thoroughly each day. This can help to eliminate dirt that can build up on the feet, and may help to prevent an infection. This can be followed by using a good moisturizer, which may help to prevent cracked heels from developing. When the nails are trimmed properly and frequently, an ingrown toenail may be avoided. Additionally, maintaining everyday foot care can be simple when the shoes that are worn fit correctly, and are comfortable. If you would like more information about the benefits and techniques of practicing everyday foot care, please consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of the podiatrists from JE Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Fleming Island and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Professional chefs spend many hours a week on their feet cooking. Their days often involve a continuous day of standing, walking, bending, lifting, and turning at odd angles. Being on one’s feet so much will eventually take a toll. It might start with sore feet at the end of the day but often gradually starts to involve other parts of the body as everything is interconnected. It is important for anyone in this profession, and any other job that requires long hours of standing, to take proper care of their feet. If not, one will be in constant pain, productivity will be impacted, and the passion for cooking will take a back seat to aches and pains. A cook can delay or diminish foot pain by doing some simple things, including wearing shoes that fit well, are supportive, and have proper cushioning. Other tips are lifting properly and not more than can be handled, and wearing white socks, because colored socks have dye that can seep into pores when one sweats. Sitting (at least when eating) to take some of the pressure off the feet, as well as staying active and stretching when not working to keep limber may also help. Do as much as you can to take care of your feet if you are working on your feet all day. If you cannot get on top of the pain yourself, see a podiatrist for additional tips and treatment.

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 the podiatrists from JE Foot & Ankle Associates. 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 one of our offices located in Fleming Island and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Although running can be an excellent way to burn your calories for the day, if you do not properly prepare your body beforehand, you may be setting yourself up for a foot injury. One way to help prevent an injury, is to roll out your feet using a foam foot roller or tennis ball. Often when runners do not roll out their feet before runs, their foot muscles become tighter and more restrictive, which can increase the stress felt on the ankle. This consequently increases the risk of injuries. By rolling out your feet, you can loosen the tissue and muscles in your feet. Besides preventing injuries, this technique also gives you more flexibility and movement in other parts of your body, including your legs. When rolling your feet, you might consider sitting to control the amount of pressure put on your feet, spending approximately two minutes per foot. While rolling out their feet, runners often look for areas on their feet that carry a particularly large amount of tension or tightness. Don’t take chances when it comes to your feet. You might consider reaching out to a podiatrist who can best help you prevent injuries during your runs.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of the podiatrists of JE Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Fleming Island and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.