Items filtered by date: May 2020

An excess of calcium that forms underneath the heel bone can be a characteristic of a heel spur. It can gradually develop as a result of strain and inflammation on the muscles and ligaments, and the tissues surrounding the heel may swell. Some patients find moderate relief when the affected foot is elevated, a healthy weight is maintained, and shoes that fit properly are worn for the majority of the day. It is beneficial to perform certain foot stretches that can help strengthen the feet, and it may help to take anti-inflammatory medication as well. If you feel you have developed a heel spur, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible to determine the severity, and offer treatment options that are correct for you.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Podiatry. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine and Palm Coast, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

The most common form of ankle pain is known as an ankle sprain. It can happen from suddenly stepping off of a curb, which may result in the ankle rolling to one side. When this occurs, the ligaments may stretch beyond their normal limitations, and this may cause severe pain and discomfort. The recovery time generally depends on how extreme the sprain is. A mild injury can take up to three weeks to completely heal, and most daily activities can be completed. A moderate sprain can take approximately six weeks to heal, and activities may have to be limited. A severe injury can take several months to heal, and many activities may have to be avoided. If you have symptoms of an ankle sprain, please consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat this condition.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

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The majority of children are born with flat feet. The arch generally develops normally as the child grows, and it is important to have shoes and socks that fit properly as the feet get larger. Children may experience specific foot conditions as the aging process occurs, and it is beneficial for parents to be aware of how their child walks. Some of these ailments can include limping, permanent flat feet, walking on tip-toes, or walking may begin later than average. It is beneficial to measure your child’s feet approximately every three months, and this can help to determine what the proper size shoe is. If you would like additional information about specific foot conditions that can affect children, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can answer any concerns you may have.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. John R. Northrup of Superior Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

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Research has indicated the sport of running is a popular form of exercise among all groups of people. Many children and teenagers enjoy participating in track and field during school, and generally will perform proper warm up and cool down techniques. These can be helpful in preventing running injuries, and should be incorporated into a daily routine if you regularly run. It is beneficial to slowly increase the mileage and the time running is practiced, which can help to prevent stress fractures and injuries from overuse. Additionally, eating healthy foods may help the body to maintain strength, and it is necessary to get adequate sleep as often as possible as well. Many runners know the importance of resting between runs, which can allow the body to recover. If you would like more information about injury prevention, and how the feet may become affected by running injuries, please consult with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. John R. Northrup of Superior Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

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