Exercises For Overpronation - The Texas Foot Specialists

Since this is like an action where one part can affect the whole, it is essential that we correct overpronation before it can lead to more serious and painful injuries. People might take overpronation lightly until there comes an injury because of it. But should you still wait when you can easily prevent it?

A visit to a podiatrist can help you minimize or even prevent foot injuries. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specializes in helping people with foot conditions.

Overpronation is the situation wherein there is an unwarranted foot rolling that is above the normal range of motion. When this happens, the weight of the person is being transferred to the medial part of the foot. Overpronation also affects not only the foot but also the functions of the leg, knee and the hip.

One way to correct overpronation is to exercise your foot. These exercises listed below will help correct the overpronation of your foot.

Golf ball roll

1. Have the golf ball roll under each of your foot for 30-60 seconds each while stopping for 10 seconds on any painful spot.
2. Pull your toes up and toward your shins for three to five times as this will help stretch your muscles.

Yoga – not only is it beneficial to all of your senses, yoga is done barefoot which will help improve the muscles on both of your feet. It also helps improve your flexibility and prevent further injuries.

Calf stretching

1. Place one of your foot forward and one foot backward with your hands on the wall.
2. Keep your heel on the ground while leaning forward and keeping your right knee straight.
3. Rotate your toes in and out. Do this for 30-60 seconds.

Big Toe Pushdowns

1. Stand straight with your foot and ankle placed in a neutral position.
2. Push down your big toe. Take note that you should not let your ankle to roll in.
3. Do this for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times on each side.

Towel curl

1. Have a medium sized towel on the ground and curl it towards you using your toes.
2. Spread the towel back.
3. Repeat 10 times on both feet.

These are just easy exercises, except perhaps for yoga. But rest assured that it will go a long way in relieving the symptoms of overpronation.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Do you Have Flat Foot or Fallen Arch? Texas Foot Specialists

Flat foot is normally seen in babies and children. But this disappear and regain their normal form as the feet develops. Flat foot happens when the middle of the feet fails to form an arch when standing. It can cause pain or discomfort because it interferes with how the feet normally distributes weight load over different feet structures.

Do you have flat foot or fallen arch?

• Pain in the heel and arches
• Swelling at the middle of the feet, this is where the arch should form
• Pain felt when standing and disappears when the foot is rested
• Feet that easily tire

Flat foot or fallen arch is usually not a cause of concern since most are asymptomatic and produce little or no pain. This only becomes a health concern when it is a symptom of a foot injury or when it makes simple activities such as walking or standing difficult.

Pain is a clear indication that something in the foot is wrong. This should be consulted with a podiatrist especially when pain becomes chronic. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with flat foot or fallen arch.

Possible causes of Fallen Arches

Flat foot or fallen arch can be due to a foot injury. Tendons and ligaments are responsible for moving various foot muscles. An injury to one of this interferes with how the foot arches when standing. Overweight problems can also the feet to collapse. This is because the feet is unable to support the added weight. It is also why flat foot is common among pregnant women.

Flat Foot Management and Treatment

A majority of flat foot suffers do not require medical intervention. This is because flat foot do not cause chronic pain or discomfort. Treatments are mainly used to treat pain and can be done by using pain medication. It can also be relieved by resting the feet or applying cold compress to reduce swelling in the area.

In rare cases, surgeries can be used to treat the underlying cause of flat foot. If this is due to a foot abnormality or a serious injury then surgery is performed to repair damaged tendons or tissues.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Corns: What are Three Treatments? The Texas Foot Specialists

Many of us may not be familiar with the medical term heloma. But simply put, it is the medical term for a corn. Corns are thick areas found on the skin’s surface. If left untreated it can become painful and irritating.

What are corns?

Often confused with a callus, a corn is mostly surrounded by inflamed skin and usually smaller compared to calluses. It is circular or cone-shaped. It can be a raised bump which is painful to touch, and the thick area may become rough, dry or waxy. Corns develop in areas where there is pressure or friction. It can develop when the little toe rubs against the shoe.

Consult a podiatrist for chronic corn problems. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

What are some of the treatments for corns?

1. Primary treatment for corns is to remove dead skin that has already built-up on the affected area.
2. Salicylic acid. Purchased over-the-counter, salicylic acid is the most common treatment being used to get rid of corns. It can come in different forms such as drops, creams, or medicated pads. The acid functions as a dissolving agent for keratin, which is the protein that forms corns. If you are a diabetic person though, you should consult your doctor first as salicylic acid is contraindicated for you to use. Using salicylic acid is very easy, you can simply apply the medication directly on your corn. The uppermost layer of the corn will become white after use. Once the change in color occurs, you can peel away the layer of the skin and make the corn smaller.
3. Orthotic inserts. Orthotic inserts should be fitted by a podiatrist. These inserts will allow you to walk correctly as it helps adjust how your foot fits into your shoe. Inserts will help you reduce your chances of having corn formation and can even eradicate existing corns by decreasing friction caused by rubbing.
4. Surgery. This is the very last resort in corn treatment and is rarely used. It focuses more on the underlying tissues that causes the formation of corns. If the surgery is performed, the bone is shaved and the abnormalities are corrected so that there will be a reduced friction while walking.

Prevention

• When talking about corn prevention, the primary goal is to reduce friction.
• Wear shoes that fit well.
• Do not rub your feet. You can buy some pads if you notice that there is some rubbing.
• Wear cushioned insoles in your shoes as it always reduces friction.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Kelly Ripa - Calcaneonavicular Coalition - The Texas Foot Specialists

Kelly Ripa is an amazing dancer but right after breaking her foot, it was found that she was suffering from calcaneonavicular coalition. This is a congenital deformity seen on the feet. Some show symptoms or pain while others don’t have any symptoms at all.

What is calcaneonavicular coalition?

Calcaneonavicular coalition or tarsal coalition is a medical condition in which two or more bones in the foot are joined. Patients with this congenital condition usually shows symptoms during adolescence but there are also cases that presentations of symptom happen during adulthood.

To learn more about Trench feet, consult a podiatrist. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

What are some ofthe causes of calcaneonavicular coalition?

Calcaneonavicular coalition can be a genetic error during fetal development can be triggered by:

• Infection
• Trauma to the area
• Self-fusion of the joint
• Genetics is most likely the cause of calcaneonavicular coalition

What are some of the signs and symptoms of calcaneonavicular coalition?

Most children with calcaneonavicular coalition are born with the disorder. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of calcaneonavicular coalition:

• Pain on the outside and top of the foot
• Rigidity and stiffness of the affected foot
• Flat feet or flat foot
• Difficulty walking on uneven ground
• Pain that worsens while increasing any activity
• Limited range of motion

How is calcaneonavicular coalition diagnosed?

Calcaneonavicular coalition is diagnosed through a couple of physical examination to the foot, medical history of the patient, and X-rays. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan is used to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the location of the affected joints.

What are some of the treatments for calcaneonavicular coalition?

There are number of non-surgical treatments for calcaneonavicular coalition. Nonsurgical treatment involves (always check with your podiatrist before treatment):

1. Resting. Stop or reduce high impact activities that makes the pain worse to relieve discomfort and pain.
2. Othotics. Use inserts and place it inside the shoe to relieve pain and reduce pressure on the tarsal.
3. Cast or walking boot. This will temporarily immobilize the affected foot.
4. Cortisone injections. The use of steroids will reduce pain and discomfort.

When these treatments are not effective, surgery is required. When there is no arthritis present, the main goal of the surgery is to remove the growth of abnormal bones to restore range of motion.

Surgical treatments can be resection. This is the most common type of surgery and is often performed in younger patients. This procedure involves removing the coalition and replacing it with muscles or tissues. This will restore normal range of motion and proper function by separating the bones that were not connected properly.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Patrick Duffy Suffering from Morton’s Neuroma? Texas Foot Specialists

Patrick Duffy is an accomplished American actor that is best known for his role as Bobby Ewing in Dallas. The National Enquirer reported that he is suffering from Morton’s Neuroma, a painful foot condition.

Morton’s Neuroma is a condition that affects the nerves of the feet, most commonly the area between the third and fourth toes. These causes the nerves around the feet to enlarge that will cause pain in the feet.

How does Morton’s Neuroma occur?Morton’s Neuroma occurs as a response to irritation, pressure, or injury to one of the nerves of the foot. Consult a podiatrist for any chronic foot pain. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes. High heeled shoes and tight shoes can put extra pressure on your toes and on the ball of your foot.
• High impact exercise. Participating in certain sports such as running, hiking, or jumping will cause your feet to repetitive trauma.
• Walking incorrectly. People who have bunions, hammertoes and other foot deformities are at higher risk of developing Morton's neuroma.

What are the symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?

• Burning sharp pain and numbness on the bottom of the foot
• The pain increases while walking and is gone when resting
• Tingling sensation in the spaces between your toes

These symptoms can also be caused by wearing high heeled shoes and standing for a long period of time. If the symptoms of Morton's Neuroma is persistent, the best way to do is to visit a podiatrist so he can suggest measures to reduce the symptoms or to recommend treatments.

Treating Morton’s Neuroma

Make sure you check with your Podiatrist before treating your neuroma. The treatment depends on how long you have had the condition and its severity. If your Morton's Neuroma is painful, your doctor will start treating you using conservative and non-surgical methods.

The following are some the non-surgical ways on how to treat Morton's Neuroma:

• Change your footwear. Avoid using high heeled and narrow shoes. Ease the pressure on the nerve of your foot by wearing orthotic pads such as metatarsal pads and good arch support.
• Losing weight. Exercising and losing weight will reduce the strain on your feet.
• Painkillers. Using anti-inflammatory drugs will reduce the pain
• Injections. A steroid injection medication will offer real pain relief that will last for some time.

Can Morton's Neuroma be prevented?

It is not always possible to prevent Morton’s Neuroma but you can reduce the risk by wearing and using low-heeled, well-fitting and wider shoes. The symptoms will come and go and sometimes, it will go away completely. At The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize suffering from Morton's Neuroma. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Foot Gout, Management and Medication

Studies have shown that a tenth of the population is currently suffering from hyperuricemia, a leading cause of gout. And most cases of hyperuricemia are found in men. Foot gout causes pain which in some cases interfere with our normal daily activities. Consult a podiatrist when foot gout becomes a nagging problem Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in foot gout and treating foot disorders.

Foot Gout Management

• If an acute attack occurs- protect the affected joint. Elevate it and immobilize.
• Consume less amount of food containing purine.
• Have moderate alcohol intake
• Include a small amount of legumes in the diet
• Encourage a gradual weight reduction-  this will reduce the pressure on the inflamed joints, resulting to lesser pain
• Avoid salicylates – this could affect elimination of uric acid.
• Increase fluid intake- by increasing the amount of fluid in the body, the excretion of uric acid also increases thus preventing the formation of uric acid stones.

Foot Gout Medications

There are many different medications used for foot gout. Self-medication is highly discouraged. Consult a podiatrist for proper treatment and management of foot gout. Below are some of the medications that may be used.

• Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen, indomethacin) to decrease joint pain and inflammation.
• Colchicine prevents deposition of uric acid into the joints, decreasing the inflammation. This can be given during acute attack.
• Allopurinol (e.g. Zyloprim) use as maintenance medication, decrease uric acid production. Clients with renal insufficiency or kidney problems should be inform that intake of this drug must be in a small amount only.
• Glucocorticoids or corticotropin (ACTH) this may be injected directly to the inflamed joints.  Suitable for patients with abnormal creatinine clearance, though its immunosuppressive effect might be questionable since this may prone the inflamed joints to infection.
• Febuxostat is a non-purine inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. It is hoped to avoid the serious but rare complications of allopurinol; whether that holds true will take years to establish.
• Uricosuric drugs inhibits urate anion reabsorption in the proximal tubule and enhance uric acid elimination.
• Probenecid – to increase the serum levels of antibiotics and it blocks with excretion of many drugs.
•  Benzbromarone- can’t be used in Switzerland and the USA, this drug is the only one registered and permitted to be use in Austria. Side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhea. This has some effect on the liver that resulted in taking it out of the market.
•  Sulfinpyrazone- the third drug that was used in the past, but was later discontinued.

Self-medication is highly discouraged as this might result to dangerous complication. Consult a podiatrist for proper foot gout treatment.    The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with foot gout.  To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.