Items filtered by date: October 2016

Sneakers are arguably the most important piece of equipment for an athlete. You should always be sure to get rid of shoes that are “past their prime.” Shoes that need to be thrown out will have a loss of counter support and a worn out midsole. When shopping for new shoes, you should look for ones that fit properly The rule of thumb for shoe shopping is to allow for at least one finger’s width from the end of the longest toe to the top of the shoe.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Dushack of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes is vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

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

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Many runners tend to assume that the heel pain they experience in their feet is due to plantar fasciitis. Although plantar fasciitis may cause heel pain, it isn’t the only condition that can cause it. Dr. Ira Meyers states that many runners she treats come to her office thinking they have plantar fasciitis, “but in fact, they have something else.”  Plantar fasciosis, calcaneal stress fractures, nerve entrapments, and muscle cramps can all cause pain in the heel. If your heel pain symptoms do not respond to treatment, you may need to be professionally diagnosed or reevaluated.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Dr. Dushack of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Causes of Heel Pain

● Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

● Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

● Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

- Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  

- Wearing non-supportive shoes

- Weight change         

- Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.

With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.  

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

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Plantar fasciitis is classified as inflammation and the swelling of the plantar fascia, the ligament that lines the bottom of your foot to your heels and toes. According to Aaron Homolka, M.P.T., “it’s the most common form of heel pain in our patients and we see a lot of patients with it.” The condition can be characterized by pain on the bottom of your feet, especially during mornings. Causes that contribute to the condition involve standing or walking on your feet for too long.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Dushack of APEX Foot & Ankle 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 contact our office located in Fort Myers, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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If you suffer often from foot ailments such as corns, calluses, and cracked heels, a good baking soda foot soak recipe can help with treating your feet. Calluses, for example, formed from layers of dead skin cells, can be treated by a foot bath recipe with baking soda. Baking soda can also help eliminate excessive sweating, foot odor, and help with fighting bacteria and fungi. Baking soda can also soften rough skin, promote healing of dryness, soothe the skin, and help with relieving burning, itching, and swelling.

Every day foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked contact Dr. Dushack of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

Every Day Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.

For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.

Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Fort Myers, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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When children go shopping for back-to-school shoes, they often look for minor details in their ideal shoe instead of looking for one that fits properly. Shoes that glow in the dark, or have a pretty design on them may look attractive, but they are not necessarily going to be good for the health of your child’s feet. There are certain things that you should look out for when helping your child pick out shoes for the new school year. One of the things you should search for is a shoe that offers toe-flexibility. Your child’s shoe should be able to bend along with his or her toes. You should also search for shoes that have a secure fit. The best fitting shoes often have laces or velcro. Another factor in your shoe-shopping search should be comfortability. Your child should be able to walk around in their new shoes with ease.

Making sure that your children maintain foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Dushack of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

• Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
• Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Fort Myers, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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