Items filtered by date: December 2022

People who enjoy running may notice that they have developed pain in their big toe. This pain can cause difficulty when walking or running and can occur for various reasons. These causes may include the amount of force the joints in the big toe endure while running, in addition to how the heel strikes the ground. This can lead to your foot pronating, meaning the foot rolls inward to absorb the shock. This is followed by pushing off, and the weight of the body travels to the big toe. Some people may have bunions and they appear as a bony bump on the side of the big toe. Bunions often arise from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. People who run can experience increased toe pain if they are afflicted with a bunion. It is suggested that the shoes worn fit correctly for the style of running that is desired, and this may help to reduce toe pain. If you would like more information about why toe pain occurs, in addition to learning about effective prevention methods, please consult with a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Research has shown that approximately one third of people who are 65 years old will have some type of foot pain. The feet can become stiff and achy, which may be a result of becoming more sedentary than in past years. A common foot condition is a bunion, which is generally caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. It is characterized by a bony lump that forms on the side of the big toe, and may cause pain while walking. Additionally, a corn can develop for the same reason, and despite its small size, may cause considerable discomfort. The skin on the heels may become dry, and cracked heels is a condition that is common as the aging process occurs. Severe cracks in the skin are called fissures, and may bleed, if not promptly treated. Having an ingrown toenail can wreak havoc in attempting to complete daily activities, as a result of the pain it can cause. This is defined as the nail growing into the skin, instead of over it, and surgery may be necessary for a complete recovery. If you are in this age group and are experiencing any kind of foot conditions, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can provide you with effective relief options.

If you need your feet checked, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Heel pain and running are not compatible. It can be a runner’s worst nightmare, and it is beneficial to learn how to prevent heel pain from developing. It is believed that heel pain can happen from the heels enduring more pressure than they are prepared for, and this can be easily avoided when proper warm-ups and cool-downs are performed. Additionally, specific heel and calf stretches can make the entire leg stronger, and this can begin with the feet.  An effective heel stretch is done by standing on a step and lowering one heel at a time until a gentle pull is felt. Some patients find it helpful to perform toe yoga, which is done by keeping the heel stationary while lifting the toes off of the floor. Research has shown that heel pain may be linked to weakened foot muscles, and there are various stretches and exercises that can strengthen the feet. If you have heel pain, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine the cause, and offer you helpful treatment options.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 condition of the past.

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

Everyday foot care practice is simple to follow. The benefits outweigh the amount of time it takes to have healthy feet, and many unwanted foot conditions may be avoided. It can begin by washing and drying the feet thoroughly, followed by applying a good moisturizer on them. Properly trimming the toenails may prevent an ingrown toenail from developing, which often requires expert medical attention. One of the most important things you can do for your feet is to wear shoes and socks that are comfortable. This may be helpful in preventing corns, bunions, and hammertoe from developing. Many people enjoy practicing foot exercises and stretches, and strong feet may help to prevent falling episodes. Depending on the specific foot condition, research has shown that pain may be relieved by having regular foot massages performed, and may invoke a feeling of well-being throughout the body. If you would like more information about how to practice everyday foot care tips, please consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Bradley Olson, DPM from North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday 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. 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 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. 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 feel free to contact our offices located in Fargo and Wahpeton, ND . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.