Items filtered by date: August 2022

Plantar Fasciitis is a common foot ailment that causes pain in the heel of the foot. The facia, or band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, becomes irritated and inflamed. This condition usually occurs from poor weight distribution on the foot or excessive or repetitive movement. It is common in runners and those who stand on their feet for a long time. Risk factors include tight calf muscles, age, poor arch support, being overweight, and wearing footwear that does not have proper support or structure. Those who suffer from plantar fasciitis usually feel pain upon waking up after a night’s rest. Pain can be alleviated by resting, staying off the feet, applying ice to the affected area, exercising the foot, wearing comfortable, supportive shoes with insoles, and wearing compression socks. Additional pain relievers can be employed if the above does not work. If you suffer from pain of plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can evaluate the severity of the condition and offer appropriate treatment options.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Tin Quach  from Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in McAllen, and Weslaco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A hammertoe is a toe deformity where the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and/or 5th toe(s) bend downward at the middle joint and look like little hammers. Afflicted toes might also develop corns, calluses, and open sores due to rubbing or irritation from walking or running. Wearing shoes can be painful for those who have hammertoes and inflammation, redness, and/or a burning sensation may be felt in the toe area. Reasons hammertoes develop include wearing shoes that do not fit properly, usually those that push the toes together into a tight toe box. The toes will tighten when repeatedly bent into unnatural positions and lose their ability to stretch out. Sometimes hammertoes can occur from a muscle/tendon imbalance that leaves the toes pointing down due to structural changes in the foot that develop over a long period of time. Less often, a hammertoe results from an earlier injury or congenital defect. With early intervention, hammertoes can often be corrected with minimal treatment. Left untreated, a hammertoe can become permanent, and surgery may be required to reposition it. Treatment includes wearing comfortable, properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box, stretching feet and toes to keep muscles flexible, and wearing pads or orthotics. Further intervention, including surgery might be needed. If you suffer from a hammertoe, see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the severity of the condition and provide correct treatment options for you.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Tin Quach from Foot Center. Our doctor 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 our offices located in McAllen, and Weslaco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system actually attacks its joints. Antibodies are produced that target the lining around joints called synovium, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the feet and ankles, eventually damaging the joint, cartilage, and bones. Side effects include anemia, loss of appetite, and fever. RA may also develop in other parts of the body, such as the skin, heart, lungs, eyes, and blood vessels. Symptoms of RA often flare up and then recede, and over time, they can cause joints to deform and shift out of place. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men, and it often starts after the age of 40. Smoking, obesity, and genetics also may be contributing factors. A number of treatment options are available for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet and ankles. If you think that you may have RA, seeing a podiatrist for an exam and diagnosis is a good idea.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Dr. Tin Quach of Foot Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in McAllen, and Weslaco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A small percentage of people who have plantar fasciitis experience little or no positive response to ordinary treatment. An option to consider may be to have Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) performed. This can be a successful treatment for this type of foot condition. Shockwave therapy is administered by targeting shock waves into the damaged tissue surrounding the plantar fascia. This procedure generally takes about 20 minutes and anesthesia is typically not needed if the treatment is low impact. Conversely, with high-intensity treatment, general anesthesia may be needed as a result of the pain that may be felt. Patients have experienced little or no downtime after the session, however, several treatments may be needed for permanent relief. Possible side effects may include swelling, redness, and slight bruising at the treatment site. If you suffer from heel pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can determine if shockwave therapy is right for you.

Shockwave therapy is a treatment commonly used to treat various injuries and conditions, particularly plantar fasciitis in the feet. To learn more, consult with Dr. Tin Quach from Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.

Who Benefits from Shockwave?

Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.

Fast and Easy

The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, addressing the source of the problem and allowing treatment to last for a long time.

Treatment & Recovery Time

Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in McAllen, and Weslaco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many of us want the shoes we wear to be fashionable, but it is important to look beyond fashion to function when wanting to keep our feet in good shape. There are steps you can take to find shoes that fit well. Though it might sound strange, it can help to take a tracing of our feet with us when we go shoe shopping. Before even trying shoes on, place shoes under consideration on top of the tracing and notice if the shoe is shorter or narrower than it should be. Shop for shoes in the afternoon as the feet naturally expand during the day. Wear the same type of socks or hose to the store as you plan on wearing with the shoes to be purchased. Have a salesperson measure your feet every time you buy new shoes as your feet change with age, often becoming flatter and wider. If one of your feet is bigger than the other, opt for the larger size in shoe selection. Try on the shoes, wiggle your toes to make sure there is enough room in the toe box, pay attention to the shoe’s width on your foot, and press on the top of the shoe to see if you have about a half an inch of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Walk around in the shoes to see how they feel, if they are comfortable, and whether there are any areas of friction from the start. Shoes should not have to be broken in. Feel around the inside of the shoes to see if there are tags or seams that might irritate your foot. Finally, examine the soles of the shoes to see if they provide protection from sharp objects and have enough cushioning. For more advice on selecting the best shoes for your feet, consult with a podiatrist who is trained in everything related to the health of your feet and ankles.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Dr. Tin Quach from Foot Center. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in McAllen, and Weslaco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.