My Blog
Posts for: August, 2014
With their game against the West Coast Eagles fast approaching and their team severely lacking in manpower, the Collingwood Magpies may need to call back senior players currently on break to carry the team to victory. Magpies coach Nathan Buckley is one step ahead and already has veteran Dane Swan in mind.
“He’s a senior player,” Buckley said of Swan. “He has lots of experience, so we’ll end up having a discussion with him over the next 24 hours to see where we go from there.” After suffering from heel pain due to a strained ligament, Swan was given a month off to take a break and rest his heel. If Swan cannot return for the West Coast Eagles game, Buckley is considering bringing back midfielder Luke Ball instead.
Heel pain may be a sign of foot injury. If you are suffering from heel pain, contact podiatrist Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will examine the afflicted area carefully and provide you with quality treatment.
Causes of Heel Pain
â— 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.
â— 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.
â— 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.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office, located in Chandler, AZ. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.
Read more about Heel Pain
The charity campaign, Into No Man’s Land, is the creation of the three former soldiers Scott McFarlane, Steve Hartwig, and Jason McKenzie. The three are raising awareness for army veterans living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by walking across Canada while wearing heavy backpacks to replicate the mental strain PTSD sufferers have to endure.
The ex-soldiers will sometimes walk a distance of up to 32 miles each day, creating rough blisters on their feet. “The blisters, the physical exhaustion, represents something tangible that people can see, but when people have PTSD it’s the emotional and psychological exhaustion that people don’t see,” said Hartwig.
Blisters can become very painful and debilitating if left untreated. If you are seeking blister treatment, see podiatrist Dr. Alan Discont, DPM of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.
Blisters on the Feet
When tight or ill-fitting footwear is worn, many times a foot blister may develop. Blisters can even develop by constant rubbing from the shoe, often times leading to pain.
What is a Foot Blister?
A foot blister is a small pocket that is filled with fluid, forming on the upper most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid, and may lead to drainage of blood or pus if the area has become infected.
How do they Form?
Blisters of the feet are almost always the result of shoe rubbing and constant friction of the skin and material. Long periods of walking in shoes, sandals, or boots which don’t fit properly can result in a blister. Those who often have moisture or humidity in the feet, are prone to blister formation easily.
Prevention & Treatment
Proper care is vital to alleviate pain and prevent infection to the affected area of the foot. The best treatment is to leave them alone. New skin will develop under the blister and during the healing stages, your blister will pop.
For more information about Blisters on the Feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Blisters on the Feet
When people think of osteoporosis we may think of it in relation to the spine and hips—quite possibly the wrists and ribs, as well. However, osteoporosis can also affect your feet. In fact, seemingly unexplained foot fractures may be an early indication that you have osteoporosis. What do I do?
Sandy Haeger of Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care’s Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program (CRI LEP) has revolutionized the way members take their Saturday morning walk by creating a walking program that focuses on exercising the feet.
To ensure that walkers are concentrating on using the entire foot while walking, Sandy has members repeat, “Heel, ball toe.” Using the entire foot while walking engages muscles from the foot to all the way to the hip. To maintain good position while walking, hold onto a stationary object such as a tree or wall for balance and then lift the knee with the foot flexed, touch down, and lift again.
Walking is not the only way you can exercise your feet.Speak with Dr. Alan Discont, DPM ofFamily Foot and Ankle Careto learn more about thedifferent activities you can pursue to exercise the feet. Dr. Discont will assist you with all of your foot and ankle concerns.
Exercise for Your Feet
If you spend most of your time on your feet, or don’t either way your feet should deserve attention. There are many people who exercise regularly and still don’t spend enough time to care for their feet. Your foot does get exposure that requires maintenance since your health has a lot to do with footing.
Exercises
Toe rise – this exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 seconds, then resting your feet on ground. This exercise should be repeated three times a day to strengthen the feet.
Toe Pick-ups – the toes are exercises that are done by picking up small items using your toes. This helps strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Three sets along with 15 seconds being held should be completed. Small items like marbles or stationary will work.
Ankle Pump – can be performed upwards or downwards. The workout can be completed both ways at the same time. This involves flexing the foot either towards the shin or to the ground. This makes the foot work very well, working large parts of the muscles.
For more information about Exercise for Your Feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Exercise for Your Feet
Since your feet bare the brunt of your weight, it is important to take extra precautions while working to protect your feet from harm. When your job requires you to stand on your feet for a long period of time, work in potentially hazardous areas, or with potentially hazardous materials, you have some risk of foot injury. Productive workers depend on their ability to walk and move about safely, with ease and comfort. According to the National Safety Council, there are about 120,000 job-related foot injuries in any given year, with one-third of them being toe injuries.
Follow Proper Guidelines
- Wash your feet daily
- Dry thoroughly
- Check your feet for corns, calluses, and cracks
- Keep your feet warm
- Trim your toenails straight across
- Visit your Chandler podiatrist
- Wear protective footwear for each activity
- Develop safe work habits and attitudes
- Be aware of the hazards of your job
- Practice proper measures
- Be alert and watch for hidden hazards
- Watch out for other workers’ safety
- Follow the rule and don’t cut corners