Pain in Your Heel, Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

/0 Comments/in /by

When heel pain first strikes, your first impulse may be to ignore it. It’s common for many people to dismiss heel pain as just an after-effect of a vigorous workout or a normal part of aging. Many recreational and professional athletes will often ignore heel pain because they don’t want to miss out on their favorite activity. People who work on their feet for a living may consider heel pain to be a part of their daily life. Some are afraid that going to a doctor for heel pain may uncover an injury that could keep them away from their sport or their job for weeks or months. Whatever the reason for avoiding treatment, the fact remains that addressing heel pain early is the best way to avoid further complications.

Possible Causes Of Heel Pain

Certain lifestyle factors may increase your risk of developing heel pain such as: being overweight or obese, standing for long periods of time, or wearing shoes that don’t fit properly.

Some common causes for heel pain include:

  •         Stress fractures
  •         Achilles tendonitis
  •         Gout
  •         Bone spurs
  •         Overpronation
  •         Sever’s disease
  •         Bursitis

The most common cause of heel pain is inflammation of the fascia – the fibrous connective tissue on the sole of your feet. This condition is called plantar fasciitis and is fairly common among both athletes and everyday people. Plantar fasciitis usually presents as a pain or tenderness under the heel that may radiate toward the arch and the front of the foot. Pain is often worse in the morning just after getting out of bed or after you’ve been sitting or standing for a long time. The pain usually subsides after walking around for a few minutes, but may return later in the day, especially after a run or activity.

If ignored, plantar fasciitis can develop into chronic heel pain that limits your regular activities. Without adequate treatment, plantar fasciitis can eventually cause knee, hip, back, and other foot problems.

What To Do For Heel Pain

At the first sign of pain in the arch or the heel, take the following steps:

Get Some Rest. Stay off of your feet as much as possible. Instead of running or walking, switch to biking, swimming, or doing weight-bearing exercises that don’t put too much pressure on your feet.

Cool Your Heels. Put a water bottle it in the freezer. Once it’s chilled, remove the bottle, place it on the floor and roll the arch or your foot over it a few minutes each day.

Stretch It Out. Stretch your calf and bottoms of your feet multiple times a day.

Shoe In. Stop walking around barefoot. Wear shoes that have a rigid sole and proper arch support at all times.

Get Support. Talk with your podiatrist about other treatments for plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Several treatments exist including anti-inflammatory medications, night splints, orthotics, shockwave therapy, and surgery. Your podiatrist can help you sort through all of the available options and choose what makes the most sense for you.

If you’re experiencing pain or tenderness in your heel or feet, make an appointment with us today. We can help you relieve your heel pain and show you how to keep it from coming back!

5 Comfortable Heels for All-Day Wear

/0 Comments/in /by

Most women know that high heels aren’t good for their feet, but, since a pair of heels can make a great outfit look even more fabulous, many women insist on wearing them anyway. A survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association shows that 42% of women would wear a shoe they liked even if it gave them discomfort. Aside from the discomfort of foot pain, wearing heels can cause or aggravate any number of foot problems, including:

  • Corns and Calluses – High-heeled shoes put excess pressure on the toes, heels, and balls of the feet. Hard, thickened skin develops as a result of friction from the foot rubbing against the shoe.
  • Morton’s Neuroma – Many heels feature a tapered shoe box, which can squeeze toes together and cramp the forefoot. A neuroma – a painful thickening of the nerve tissue in the ball of the foot – can develop as a result.
  • Bunions – High heels don’t necessarily cause bunions (a bony bump at the base of the big toe), but they can speed up the progression of this foot deformity.
  • Ankle Sprains – Walking in high heels increases the risk of experiencing a sprained ankle, especially when walking on slippery or uneven surfaces.

While it’s not always easy to find a pair of heels that are actually cute, comfortable, and won’t damage your feet – it’s not impossible. Below are five stylish yet comfortable heels worth adding to your wardrobe.

5 Comfortable Heel Styles

Both the Mabrey Pump and the Sumner Pump from Vionic offer a take on the classic pump with features like premium leather, a thicker heel, and a gradual pitch that improve stability and make for an easy-wearing, all-day heel. Vionic’s Stanton Wedge Bootie features a wedge heel and a broad, round toe for maximum comfort.

Mabrey Pump from Vionic

Sumner Pump from Vionic

Stanton Wedge Bootie from Vionic

The classic Carmen heel from Dr. Comfort is built for stability with a no-slip heel and an adjustable T-strap style. Dr. Comfort also offers a take on the classic Mary Jane with the Coco, a style that offers a bit of elegance but still factors in comfort via an adjustable strap and a wide outsole.

Carmen Classic Heel from Dr. Comfort

Coco Classic Heel from Dr. Comfort

When shopping for shoes, follow these tips to find the right pair of heels that won’t wreck your feet:

  • Have your foot measured! The size and shape of your feet can change over time. Go shoe shopping later in the day when your feet tend to be swollen.
  • To prevent the foot from sliding forward, go for styles with an adjustable strap, like T-strap styles and Mary Janes, that help secure the foot and keep it centered on the arch.
  • Improve stability and comfort by picking styles with a thicker heel or a wider outsole.
  • Alleviate pain and pressure on the ball of the foot with shoes that offer a more gradual slope or pitch of the heel, like platforms.
  • Choose shoes made with quality materials and solid craftsmanship.

Ready to get your hands on (and your feet into)  some comfortable new heels? Contact us today or stop by our office to take a look at our in-house selection of styles from Vionic and Dr. Comfort.

Toenail Fungus ? Why Does It Keep Coming Back?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Have you tried to get rid of toenail fungus repeatedly, but it still keeps rearing its ugly head? There can be many reasons that toenail fungus won’t go away for good – figuring out the source of your problem will help you find the appropriate way to treat it.

Fungi – including the kind that cause fungal nail infections – are microscopic organisms that live and thrive in warm, moist environments including locker rooms, swimming pools and showers. These organisms can make their way under your nail through tiny cuts in your skin or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. While nail fungus can happen on either fingernails or toenails, two factors help make fungal toenail infections more common:

  •        Toenails are often confined inside of shoes – a dark, warm, moist environment where fungi can thrive.
  •        Toes usually have less blood flow than fingers, which can make it harder for your body’s immune system to detect and fight a fungal infection.

Aside from these factors, there are several reasons why fungal nail infections may seem to clear up but never go away.

Recurring Fungal Nail Infection – Possible Causes

  •         Repeat Exposure To Infected Surfaces – One of the most common causes for recurring fungal toenails is the continued presence of fungus in the shoes. Sharing a shower or bathroom space with someone who has a fungal toenail infection is another common source of repeat infection.
  •         Not fully treated – Effectively treating toenail fungus can be very difficult since the infection is located beneath the nail. Over-the-counter treatments and home remedies may temporarily relieve or reduce symptoms of a fungal nail infection but not get rid of it completely.
  •         Compromised Immune System – If your body’s natural infection-fighting defenses are weakened due to a condition or medication that you’re taking, it can be harder to get rid of a fungal nail infection.
  •         Other conditions – Conditions that cause poor blood flow to your feet, like diabetes, can affect the ability of your feet to heal after injury or infection. Having diabetes, circulation, or nerve problems in your feet puts you at greater risk of repeat fungal infection.

Tips to Keep Toenail Fungus from Coming Back

  •         Disinfect your shoes with an antifungal spray or powder.
  •         Wear socks made of moisture-absorbing fabrics like wool, nylon and polypropylene. Change your socks often, especially if you have sweaty feet.
  •         Don’t wear shoes all day long or multiple days in a row – allow them to air out between wearings.
  •         Don’t trim or pick at the skin around your toenails. This may make your skin and nails more susceptible to fungal infection.
  •         Don’t go barefoot in public places. Wear flip-flops or shower shoes around pools, showers, and locker rooms.
  •         Talk with your podiatrist about fungal toenail treatment options like oral antifungal medications, laser nail therapy, and toenail removal.

If other treatments for fungal toenail infections haven’t helped, make an appointment with us today. We can help you find out what’s causing your repeat infections and help you get rid of toenail fungus.

What You Should Know About Toenail Removal

/0 Comments/in /by

Toenail removal is a minor surgical procedure that removes either the entire toenail or a portion of the toenail that is diseased, damaged, or very painful. People who have experienced trauma to a toenail, have an ingrown toenail, or have severe or recurring toenail fungus may often resort to toenail removal when other, more conservative treatments haven’t worked.

If you have a difficult to treat fungal nail infection, or if you have a suppressed immune system or diabetes, your podiatrist may recommend removal of the affected toenail to prevent the infection from spreading to other toenails or beyond your feet.

Partial nail removal may also be done for diagnostic purposes to allow your doctor to more closely examine the nail bed and surrounding tissue before deciding whether to conduct a biopsy.

What Happens During A Toenail Removal Procedure

Toenail removal is a simple procedure and usually takes no more than twenty minutes. It can be performed on an outpatient basis in your podiatrist’s office. To start, your doctor will inject a local anesthetic into your toe to prevent pain. During the procedure, the entire nail or just a portion of the nail may be removed. If you want to avoid future infection by permanently preventing the nail from growing back, your doctor can also destroy the nail matrix. The matrix is the layer of cells at the root of the nail that produces keratin, the material the nail is composed of. After the nail has been removed, a chemical can be applied to the cuticle area which will permanently prevent nail regrowth. After the procedure, an antibiotic ointment and bandage will be applied to the wound.

Toenail Removal Recovery

For the first few weeks after having your toenail removed, you will need to keep the wound clean and dry while it heals. You will most likely wear a bandage for about two weeks, and your mobility may be somewhat limited during this time. It may take several months for your toenail to completely grow back. Side effects and complications are minimal after the procedure. The most common problems experienced after toenail removal surgery are pain, infection, and a nail that grows back with an abnormal shape or appearance.

How To Prepare For Toenail Removal

Before having your toenail removed, be sure to ask your doctor questions about the procedure so you have a thorough understanding of what to expect. Some questions you might want to ask your doctor about your toenail removal procedure include:

  • How long will the toenail removal procedure take?
  • How successful is toenail removal in treating my foot problem?
  • How much pain should I expect after toenail removal surgery? How can I manage post-procedure pain?
  • How long will it take to recover from toenail removal surgery?
  • How soon can I resume regular activities?
  • What post-surgical symptoms should I watch for and report?

If you’re suffering from a painful ingrown toenail or hard-to-treat toenail fungus, a partial or complete toenail removal may provide the relief you need. Schedule an appointment today to speak with Dr. Lamour about your options.