Items filtered by date: December 2022

It is certainly no secret that pregnant women can experience potent foot pain as they bring their child to term. This is sometimes explained by the increase in body weight during the pregnancy, which consequently causes the body to exert more pressure on the feet. The feet therefore might ache and feel sore after a day of weight-bearing activity. Some pregnant women might benefit from having a foot massage to relieve the pain. However, it is important to note that foot massages might not be safe for all pregnant women, particularly if they are prone to blood clots. Therefore, a woman ought to first get permission from a medical professional to receive a foot massage. If she is cleared to receive a massage, this procedure might help to lower cortisol levels and reduce depression levels in pregnant women. If you are a woman that is soon expecting a child, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

A neuroma of the foot is a painful condition, also known as a pinched nerve or nerve tumor. It is characterized by pain in the ball of the foot, burning or tingling, and some cramping. The neuroma usually develops between the 3rd and 4th toes, causing difficulty walking for long periods. The cause of neuromas is unclear, but certain factors can be connected to their development. Biomechanical difficulties, such as flat feet and high arches, bring on instability to the toe joints that may lead to a neuroma. Direct trauma to the foot can damage the nerve and cause inflammation and swelling. Wearing high-heeled shoes that squeeze the toes can lead to increased pressure on the nerves near the ball of the foot. Finally, repeated stress on the bottom of the feet can create or aggravate a neuroma. If you are experiencing pain in the toes, tingling and numbness in the ball of the foot, swelling, and pain on the ball of the foot when bearing weight, it may indicate a neuroma. Please consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Sometimes when an individual breaks their foot or ankle, they might require some kind of surgical procedure. Depending on the procedure, the patient might not be able to put weight on their impacted foot or ankle following the surgery for a certain amount of time. Therefore, they might need the assistance of mobility devices to move around post-operation. Specifically, a medical professional might recommend that a patient use a pair of crutches after a foot surgery. These tools are significantly light in weight. Alternatively, for more serious surgical procedures, a medical professional might recommend using some kind of wheelchair during the recovery period of a surgical procedure. A knee walker is also an option for an individual who recently suffered a foot injury. It is also important to note that walking boots are smaller than any of the aforementioned mobility devices. The mobility device that you might use after a surgical procedure on your foot is largely dependent on the nature of the injury and procedure. Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today for more information.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Kevin Davis of Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Wearing high heels can be significantly damaging to the feet for many different well-established reasons. For example, wearing high heeled shoes can put an excess amount of pressure on the toes. If a woman wears high heels while she is pregnant, there is a whole other host of problems that can occur. When a woman becomes pregnant, she experiences a variety of changes to the feet that can alter the balance of her weight. Additionally, if a woman wears high heels while she is pregnant, it can further exacerbate any swelling in the feet that might already be occurring because of the pregnancy. Wearing shoes with heels that are high can also reduce a pregnant woman’s stability, which might lead to falls that would be potentially very dangerous for both the woman and her growing baby. For more information about high heels during pregnancy, contact a podiatrist today.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. Kevin Davis from Davis Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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