People who have endured an Achilles tendon injury may have to temporarily alter their lives. It generally happens as a result of an injury that affects the Achilles tendon, and walking may be impossible until proper treatment is provided. This tendon is located in the calf, and connects the calf muscles to the heel. An injury can cause this tendon to rupture, or it may become inflamed from overuse. This can happen from running on uneven surfaces, or from increasing speed and mileage too quickly. If the injury happens from gradual overuse, common symptoms may include stiffness in the heel area after arising, and it can be difficult to flex the foot. Symptoms from a sudden injury can consist of intense pain in the calf and heel, the inability to stand on tiptoes, and a popping sound may be heard. If you have any of the above symptoms, please contact a podiatrist as quickly as possible so the correct treatment can begin.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that affects the nerves between the metatarsal bones in the foot. These are long bones, and there are affected nerves lying in between the bones. The pain that is associated with this condition feels like a burning sensation, or maybe a numbing and tingling feeling. If prompt medical attention is not sought, the pain can become unbearable, and walking may be difficult. This can be a result of irritated or compressed nerves, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary for repairing or removal of these nerves.  A common cause of Morton’s neuroma can come from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. High heels can fall into this category, and it is suggested to refrain from wearing these types of shoes. They can gradually be replaced by wearing a lower heel, and this may help to accelerate the healing process. Morton’s neuroma is considered to be one of the most painful foot conditions, and if you have developed symptoms that may indicate this ailment, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist. 

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The swelling of the feet can be caused by several different things. One often overlooked cause of swollen feet is wearing shoes that do not fit correctly and are too tight. The reason that a tight pair of shoes can cause swelling is because the tightness can reduce circulation and discourage blood flow. Sometimes when an individual selects a pair of shoes that does not conform to their foot shape and size, the shoes can end up cutting off circulation. For example, an individual might have a particularly wide foot, and if they select a regular pair of shoes that is too narrow in shape, the shoes might be too tight. It might also be useful to know that an individual can prevent swelling from tight shoes by remembering not to buy small shoes at the store, thinking that they can be “broken in.” Typically, this is not advisable. Contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A blood blister is a raised section of skin filled with red fluid that begins as a light red color and becomes darker. It is similar to a blister caused by friction that fills with clear liquid. A blood blister will usually disappear in a week or two and should cause little concern. Usually, the pain associated with a blood blister comes from the action that initially caused it. A blood blister can form on the feet where the skin is pinched but does not break open. It can result from factors such as poorly fitting shoes that pinch the skin, sweaty feet that cause extra friction, or severe frostbite. People should wear well-fitting shoes and keep their feet dry to avoid blood blisters. If a blood blister develops, the area should be kept clean, and the blister should not be popped. If there is no apparent reason for the onset of a blood blister, if it does not clear up on its own, repeatedly returns, or if there are signs of infection, consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose any unusual or underlying problems and provide necessary treatment.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Patients who have pain in the arch of their foot may notice it can be difficult to complete daily activities. The arch is responsible for many functions including absorbing shock, balancing, and helping the body to adapt to various surfaces. The pain may radiate to the heel and the ball of the foot, and this may be a result of foot conditions. An abnormal foot structure can cause arch pain, and people who have gained weight or who have undergone extreme physical stress may have pain in this part of their foot. Some of the ailments that are associated with arch pain are plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and adult-acquired flatfoot. For example, cavus foot can be indicative of having an extremely high arch and may be accompanied by hammertoe and calluses. If you have foot or arch pain for any reason, please consult a podiatrist who can provide a proper diagnosis and offer you effective treatment remedies.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.