Items filtered by date: April 2023

Due to the nature of their employment, many people across the country must spend the vast majority of the workday standing on their feet. This could potentially pose problems for pregnant women. Specifically, pregnant women who stand for the entire workday may notice poor circulation in their feet, in addition to increased swelling, or edema. If you are a pregnant woman and must stand for long periods of time during the workday, it is wise to consider taking breaks throughout the day to sit down. Perhaps you may consider resting for 15-minute intervals. Keeping yourself hydrated may also be helpful, and it is beneficial to refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages. If you are pregnant and working on your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for helpful relief tactics.  

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Bradley Olson, DPM from North Dakota. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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.

Learning more about the biomechanics of the feet can be incredibly helpful for the patient trying to look after the health of their feet. For example, it might be beneficial to familiarize oneself with the phenomenon known as toe twitching. Essentially, toe twitching is similar to tremors or spasms. They may occur for a variety of reasons. Toe twitches may happen to an individual when they experience interruptions in the circulatory system, joints, or muscles. Fortunately, many patients are pleased to learn that most symptoms associated with toe twitching are not long-lasting. Rather, they may be notably fleeting. However, medical attention may be sought when twitching lasts longer than usual or is accompanied by more serious symptoms. To learn more about how the feet work, it is suggested that you reach out to a podiatrist who can help teach you how to best care for the health of your feet. 

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

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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.

Research has indicated there may not be an exact cause for the foot condition that is known as plantar fibromatosis. Despite this potential conclusion, there may be existing conditions which significantly contribute to developing plantar fibromatosis. The plantar fascia is found on the sole of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. An injury may cause this band of tissue to become inflamed, and small nodules may form on the plantar fascia. These are considered to be benign, but may be painful while walking or standing. Additionally, genetic factors may lead to having this condition, in addition to taking specific types of medications and supplements. Patients who have a liver disorder or diabetes may be prone to developing a plantar fibroma, possibly from the medicine that is used to treat these conditions. If you have heel or arch pain, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can accurately tell you if you have plantar fibromatosis, and offer you correct treatment options.

A plantar fibroma may 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.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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.

Ingrown toenails are a particular kind of foot condition that occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin directly next to it. When this happens, a range of things may occur. For example, certain severe cases of ingrown toenails may become infected. As a result, a patient may demonstrate several different symptoms associated with infected ingrown toenails. Namely, a patient may experience additional swelling in the affected area as well as increased pain. An infected ingrown toenail may also produce discharge or warm sensations. A change in color is also common for an infected ingrown toenail. Specifically, redness or dark discoloration may ensue. If you are someone that has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help to relieve your condition.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Bradley Olson, DPM of North Dakota. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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 care needs.