How Your Gait Can Cause Back Pain

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Back pain is a common health problem that can significantly impact your daily life. Although many factors can cause back pain, your gait, or the way you walk, can also contribute to it. IN fact, your back’s health depends in large part on your gait.

Understanding Gait

Gait refers to the pattern of movement when you walk or run. It involves complex interactions between muscles, bones, and joints throughout the body. A healthy gait is essential for maintaining balance and stability while walking or running. However, an abnormal gait can cause problems such as back pain.

How Your Gait Can Lead to Back Pain

An abnormal gait can contribute to back pain in several ways. Poor posture during walking can cause your spine to become misaligned, leading to stress and strain on your back muscles and joints. Orthotics in Austin, TX can help correct these issues. Your gait can also cause back pain if you have an underlying foot or leg problem. For instance, if you have flat feet, your feet may roll inward excessively (overpronation) when walking, leading to an imbalance in your hips and lower back.

Preventing Back Pain from Gait Problems

Fortunately, you can prevent back pain caused by gait problems. One of the best ways to prevent back pain is to wear the right footwear. Shoes with good arch support can help correct any abnormalities in your gait and reduce stress on your back. Working with a podiatrist can also help identify any underlying foot or leg problems that may contribute to your gait problems. The podiatrist can provide custom orthotics or recommend exercises to improve your gait and reduce the risk of back pain.

Your gait has a strong influence on your back health. By working with a podiatrist in Austin, TX and wearing proper footwear, you can improve your gait, reduce the risk of back pain, and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more.

How to Prevent Foot Fungus This Summer

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Foot fungus is more prevalent in summer due to the high heat and humidity conditions. While foot fungus is usually not serious, it can lead to serious problems if not properly treated by a podiatrist in Austin, TX. Besides being incredibly uncomfortable, foot fungus can lead to problems wearing shoes, walking and generally participating in life’s most enjoyable activities. Here are some simple ways to prevent foot fungus this summer.

Avoid Tight Shoes

Thick and tight shoes trap moisture, creating a perfect environment for fungi to grow. This makes your feet more prone to developing athlete’s foot. Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe and stay dry.

Invest in Quality Shoes

Shoes made of plastic heat up faster and have a poor breathability score compared to leather or canvas shoes. Investing in quality shoes can help reduce the risk of getting athlete’s foot.

Avoid Public Swimming Pools and Gyms

Athlete’s foot-causing bacteria thrives in warm and humid environments like public swimming pools and gyms. Consider other exercise options, especially if you have a weaker immune system.

Keep Feet Dry

To prevent athlete’s foot, keep your feet dry. Moisture and heat are two things that fungi need to thrive. Use antifungal talcum powders to keep your skin dry and comfortable throughout the day.

Remove Shoes After Exercising

Remove your shoes after exercising and clean your feet with antibacterial soap to kill any harmful bacteria on your skin.

Wear Socks Made of Natural Fabrics

To reduce the risk of developing athlete’s foot, wear socks made of natural fabrics such as cotton or silk. These materials are more breathable and help keep your skin comfortable and cool during the summer.

Athlete’s foot may be prevented this summer by taking these simple steps. If you do get athlete’s foot in Austin, TX, contact your podiatrist for advice and treatment. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

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3 Ways to Take Care of Your Feet In the New Year

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Are you taking good care of your feet? You should be! Taking good care of your feet helps ensure that walking around is as comfortable as possible. There are many small things you can do to take care of your feet. Below are a few things you can do to help ensure that your feet stay healthy in the new year.

1. Wear Shoes that Fit Right

Wearing shoes that don’t quite fit can lead to problems like blisters, infections and ankle injuries in Austin, TX. It’s important to wear shoes that fit right. There are many ways to tell if a shoe fits correctly, and many shoe stores will offer a professional fitting to tell you which size is right for your feet.

As a general rule, if you can slide one finger between your heel and the heel of your shoe, and the fit is snug but not too tight, then the shoe probably fits your feet well. If your feet rub the sides in a way that is painful, you may need extra wide shoes.

2. Wear Clean, Dry Socks

Socks help wick away moisture from your feet and shoes. If your socks are too moist, this can cause fungus growth in your shoes. Change your socks every day, and wear clean, dry socks.

3. Moisturize Your Feet At Night

Feet can develop a layer of rough, dry skin that can crack. To avoid this problem, moisturize your feet at night.

Are you experiencing foot pain? See the foot doctor in Austin, TX. At Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, we can help you take care of your feet. If you’re experiencing foot pain, call today to make an appointment.

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When to Worry About Cracked Heels

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Cracked heels (also known as fissures) are usually caused by dry skin, which is typically not a cause for concern. However, there are times when heel fissures should prompt more than just a better moisturizer. If you’re looking for a podiatrist in Pflugerville or Austin, TX, we’ll tell you more about when it’s really time to call a professional.

What Are Cracked Heels?

Thankfully, fissures are hard to miss because they present as deep grooves in the heel. They’re not just hard to look at, they can actually rip your socks and stockings or wear down your shoes faster than need be. Typically, athletes like runners, walkers, and swimmers are more prone to cracked heels.

When Should You Take Notice?

There are a few major signs that your cracked heels have gone too far:

  • Pain/bleeding: If the cracks are extremely deep, they can begin to bleed. Even if they don’t, you may experience pain in the heel while walking.
  • Infection: Any cut on the body can open up your chances for infection. If your heels are starting to bleed, it’s important to keep the cut covered to avoid an unnecessary infection.
  • Athlete’s foot/plantar warts: Fungus and viruses have a way of working their way into even the smallest cracks on the heel (whether they bleed or not).

How to Treat Cracked Heels in Pflugerville or Austin, TX

If you have  heel fissures in Austin or Pflugerville , TX you might be able to get away with soaking, exfoliating, and applying an extra-strength moisturizer. You might even consider adding more Omega-3 fatty acids or zinc to your diet. However, if the heels are starting to look more than just dry or you have another condition like diabetes, the office of Jeffrey LaMour DPM can help treat cracked heels so you can get back to normal.

 

4 Tips for Choosing a Podiatrist

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When you need a foot doctor in Austin, TX, it’s important to find a professional you can trust, afford, and who provides the kind of services you need. There are many things you can do to find the right foot doctor for you. Below are four suggestions for finding a professional that can help you with your foot trouble, whatever it may be.

1. Get Referrals from Family Members

Do you know anyone who has recently been to a foot doctor? Find out from them whether they had a positive experience with that doctor. Ask them questions such as:

  • When did you visit this doctor?
  • Did the doctor treat you? Was it a good experience?
  • Would you return to this doctor? Would you recommend this doctor to others?

If the answers to these questions sound encouraging, find out that doctor’s name, and give that professional a call.

2. Be Sure They Accept Your Insurance

Healthcare can be costly, but insurance can defray those costs. Before seeking foot care services in Austin, TX, find out if the doctor that you’re considering will accept your health insurance. You can do this by calling the doctor’s office and inquiring with the phone staff.

3. Check Out Their Website

Many foot doctors will have a website where you can see which services they offer. Investigating the foot doctor’s website is an easy way to find out whether the doctor you’re considering will be able to provide you with the services you need.

4. Assess Their Customer Service

Before making an appointment with a doctor, assess their level of customer service by calling their office. While inquiring about available appointments, use this time to find out how polite and efficient the phone staff is. Do they answer your questions quickly and politely? Is it easy to make an appointment? If the answers to these questions aren’t yes, keep looking for a foot doctor.

Trying to find a dependable foot doctor in Austin, TX? Call Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA.

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Treatment Options for Neuromas

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Treatment Options for Neuromas  

 

A neuroma is not as ominous as it sounds, so if your podiatrist in Pflugerville, TX, diagnoses you with a neuroma, there’s no need to panic. In reality, while this condition can become quite painful, it’s not dangerous and is usually simple to treat. Neuromas happen when an abnormal bundle of nerves grows somewhere on your body — in this case, your feet. This is called Morton’s neuroma, and it usually appears between the third and fourth toe. If you develop Morton’s neuroma, it may feel as though you constantly have a pebble in your shoe.

What Can Be Done to Treat Neuromas?

Your podiatrist will have several options for treating your neuroma and may be able to recommend lifestyle changes you can make on your own to help lessen the pain. Treatment options include:

Padding and Taping

This treatment involves placing a small piece of padding beneath the painful area of your foot and then loosely taping it into place using zinc oxide tape. It’s purpose is to reduce the pressure on the painful nerve bundle. Your podiatrist will be careful to apply the tape using just enough, but not too much, pressure. Wrapping tape too tightly around a foot that has developed Morton’s neuroma can worsen the condition. But when done correctly, it can bring immediate relief from pain.

Orthotics

Your podiatrist may recommend custom-made shoe inserts to ease the pain of Morton’s neuroma. If so, they’ll examine and take molds of your affected foot to send away to a lab for fabrication. Your custom shoe insert will be made of thermoplastic material, which lasts for years. It will be specially designed to ease pressure beneath your neuroma.

Medication

Sometimes, anti-inflammatory medications can help ease the pain of Morton’s neuroma. Cortisone injections may also be helpful. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. In Pflugerville, TX, Dr. Jeffery LaMour, DPM, PA can help ease the pain of Morton’s neuroma. Call today to schedule a consultation.

3 Signs of a Granuloma  

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A granuloma annulare in Pflugerville, TX is a type of rash that forms on the hands and feet. It’s characterized by a ring pattern and raised bumps along the skin, and it’s often a response to a change in the body. This could be anything from taking a new prescription medication to getting a bug bite to being out in the sun for too long.

It’s not exactly clear what causes this issue, but there are a few symptoms that you can use to identify whether you have it. We’ll look at what they are and why it might help to see a specialist if any of the following sound familiar.

3 Major Symptoms

If you have a granuloma, you might see or experience:

  • Lesions: Localized granulomas occur on the feet and ankles and present as circular or semicircular lesions that can be up to 2” across.
  • Itching: Your rash might be itchy, depending on its severity.
  • Mild pain: It’s rare for pain to develop in a granuloma annulare, though some patients will report it.

Treatments

The most common treatment is an anti-inflammation treatment, which can be administered either via topical solution (e.g., applied directly to the skin) or through an injection. However, there are a number of other potential measures to treat this condition, based on the type and symptoms. For instance, light or freezing therapy may slow the growth of the rash.

Find a Podiatrist in Austin, TX

If you’re looking for a podiatrist in Austin, TX, Jeffery LaMour DPM, PA is here to help. Our staff is here to address any number of conditions, including unexplained bumps or lesions on the skin. Contact us today to learn more about our services in Austin and Pflugerville or to schedule an appointment for a checkup.

 

Tips for Treating Calluses at Home and When To Call a Podiatrist

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While performing weight-bearing activities (e.g., walking), the feet are exposed to a tremendous amount of friction and pressure. Certain areas of the foot bear more weight than others do, which makes these areas susceptible to the development of calluses. At his offices in Pflugerville and Austin, Texas, podiatrist Dr. Jeffery LaMour treats calluses.

What Is a Callus?

In response to the stresses placed on the foot, as a protective measure, the body thickens the skin. This thickened skin is referred to as a callus.

Which Areas of the Foot Are More Likely To Develop Calluses?

Most calluses develop on the heel and ball of the foot.

Tips for Treating Calluses at Home

If the callus recently developed, is on the smaller side and not very thick, try the treatment below.

Callus treatment at home:

  1. Soak the foot in warm water until the callus feels soft. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
  2. Prevent the likelihood of developing an infection by using a brand-new pumice stone or an unused nail file to gently rub off some of the softened callus.
  3. Cover the treatment area with an over-the-counter patch for calluses. If the callus is too large for the patch to cover, apply a callus-treatment cream to the area, cover with a piece of gauze and put on a clean white sock.
  4. The patch (or gauze and sock) can remain in place for up to 72 hours.
  5. After removing the patch, repeat the treatment above.

If, after treating it for 2 weeks, the callus remains, it is time to contact Dr. Jeffery LaMour. Dr. LaMour is an experienced podiatrist, with offices in Austin and Pflugerville, Texas.

Who Should Avoid Callus Removal at Home?

Generally, a callus can be removed at home. However, some people should bypass at-home removal and contact an Austin or Pflugerville, Texas, podiatrist instead. These individuals are those with conditions or symptoms that make them more likely to develop an infection. People with poor circulation in their lower extremities and individuals who are immunosuppressed (e.g., cancer patients, transplant recipients) should seek treatment from a podiatrist. In addition, an individual who experiences numbness or tingling in the feet needs to seek professional treatment (e.g., people who have diabetic neuropathy).

Why Would Someone Need Orthopedic Surgery To Treat Calluses?

Individuals who have underlying bone abnormalities contributing to their callus development may need to have orthopedic surgery.

If you are in the Austin or Pflugerville, Texas, area, and you would like an experienced podiatrist to treat your calluses, contact Dr. Jeffery LaMour today at (512) 451-3668 to schedule a consultation at his Austin or Pflugerville, Texas, podiatrist office.

 

Finding Shoes When Dealing With Bunions

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If you have bunions, you know how difficult it is to find comfortable shoes. Bunions are malformations on the outside of the joint where the big toe meets the foot. These growths alter the shape of the foot, making it painful to wear almost all shoes. In fact, many people with bunions opt to go barefoot as much as possible when at home, for that very reason. Eventually, though, you need to wear shoes. Here are some helpful tips from your Austin, TX podiatrist for finding shoes when dealing with bunions.

Shop at Wide Width Stores

There are some specialty shoe stores online that specialize in shoes in widths from D on up to EE and maybe even wider than that. Getting wide shoes helps to ensure that you don’t irritate the bunion by having a narrow width. This will reduce the possibility for pain as well as help prevent your bunion from getting worse.

Try Shoes With Elastic Bands Across the Top

Some shoemakers are more sensitive to the needs of those with bunions. There are certain styles of shoes that have elastic bands across the area where your bunion is. This allows more people to fit into the shoe size comfortably.

Opt For Shoes With Gaps on the Sides

In summer, you’ll find more shoe selections with straps instead of a full enclosure. These often have gaps right where the bunion is, allowing absolutely no friction on your bunion from the shoe. Many women find this style both flattering and comfortable, in particular.

Get Treatment For Your Bunions

Of course, the best shoe solution for your bunion is to have the bunion treated. Treatment for bunions in Austin, TX is available at your podiatrist’s office. Contact us today to find out what treatments might be available for you.

Tips For Going Barefoot in Summer

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One of the oldest joys of summer is being able to go barefoot. Going barefoot in summer is not without risks, so your Austin, TX foot specialist wants you to have some tips to keep your bare feet safe.

Wear Sunscreen

Even if you choose not to wear shoes, you still need some sort of foot protection. The tops of your feet are prone to sunburn just like other areas of your skin. Slather a deep layer of waterproof sunscreen on the tops of your feet, toes and ankles, being sure to smooth it into the crevices between your toes. Reapply after going into the water.

Be Sure Your Tetanus Shots Are up to Date

Booster tetanus shots are recommended every ten years. If your foot is accidentally punctured or scraped by a rusty metal object, at least you might avoid serious tetanus illness.

Inspect Feet

After walking barefoot, take a rest and inspect your feet, including the bottoms and in between toes. Take your time with this inspection, because insect bites can appear as very hard to see, small red dots that can be easily overlooked. You might not always feel a recent injury right away, especially if you have an underlying disorder, such as diabetes. Also, small insects are attracted to the spaces in between your toes, so be on the lookout for any “stowaways.”

Avoid Going Barefoot in Tall Grass

Even in your own backyard, tall grass can hide dangers to bare feet. You never know what creature you might accidentally disturb, inciting a protective bite to your precious feet. The safest time to go barefoot in the backyard is after a fresh mow, when slithery creatures (yes, garden snakes) are more likely to hide away in their underground home.

If you run into any problems while enjoying barefoot time this summer, don’t hesitate to contact your Austin, TX podiatrist for care and treatment.