Tips For Your Feet
Welcome to Alvera Podiatry Group!
Welcome to Alvera Podiatry Group. We’re glad you're here! As podiatrists, we have been specially and extensively trained in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions, and are skilled in both surgical and conservative treatments. So whether you are having heel pain, a broken bone, painful calluses, or anything in between, come in and let us help you. Our office utilizes the latest technologies available to treat these conditions and many more. Some of these conditions include bunions, heel and arch pain, toenails, ankle problems, sports injuries, children’s feet, hammertoes, warts, fungal nails, ingrown toenails, and diabetic foot problems.
To keep your feet as healthy as possible, we recommend following TEN tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
1. Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.
2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running).
7. Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body.
9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
10. If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.
Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common condition that we treat several times a day, partially because there are many different things that can cause it. Sometimes, for example, your pain can be a direct result of a heel spur, which is a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone. These spurs come from strain on the muscles and ligaments of the foot, which can result from biomechanical imbalances. Other times heel pain can be from excessive pronation as you walk. Too much inward motion can pull at the tendons and ligaments that attach to the bones in your feet, which causes those tendons and ligaments to become inflamed and painful. Most commonly, heel pain is caused by inflammation of a band of tissue known as the plantar fascia. This tissue connects the heel and the ball of your foot, and when it’s stretched beyond normal extension, it can tear and stretch, causing significant pain. If you are experiencing heel pain, schedule an appointment so we can properly diagnose and treat your condition and help you on the road to recovery. Until then, you may find the following at-home tips helpful: • Wear shoes at all times, preferably ones with supportive soles. Going barefoot does not give your feet the appropriate amount of support. • Do heel lifts to stretch your Achilles tendon. • Apply ice to your sore heels. A good way to do this is to freeze a water bottle and roll your heel over it. It will both ice and massage the area. • Massage your heels. • Take ibuprofen. This medication acts as both an anti-inflammatory drug and a low-dose pain killer.