Even though we depend on our feet to get us around all day, it is easy to forget to give them the care they need. Selecting appropriate shoes to keep the feet healthy and safe is important. First and foremost is choosing shoes that fit well, give proper support, and will help to keep you from slipping and falling. Pay attention to the cushioning inside your shoes, especially if you spend a lot of time standing. Arch supports can help distribute the weight so the pressure is not all on the heel and ball of the foot. High heels can cause all kinds of problems, including hammertoes, bunions, calluses and corns, as well as negatively affecting your posture and alignment. It is particularly important to wear the proper shoe for each activity, paying attention to support, cushioning, width and stability. If your feet change in shape or color, begin to hurt, or feel sore on a regular basis, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist for a complete examination to determine whether you may need custom orthotics or other treatment.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. 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 one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If the bottom of your foot starts hurting while performing an activity, especially later in the day, you may be afflicted with a condition known as tarsal tunnel syndrome. The discomfort, which generally begins in the heel and moves to the sole of the foot, presents itself as sharp, shooting, or burning pain that sometimes turns to numbness. It is caused by compression or repetitive stretching of the tibial nerve that branches off from the sciatic nerve and runs down the lower leg to the ankle and then the foot. In some cases, a bone spur or other growth may press on the nerve causing pain. People with flat feet are said to have an increased risk for developing tarsal tunnel syndrome due to flattened arches that can stretch the tibial nerve. Walking and gaining weight can also make the condition worse. Some ways to alleviate symptoms include wearing comfortable shoes, stopping activities that exacerbate the pain, stretching the calf muscles, and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Custom orthotics may ease the condition as well, and corticosteroid injections can reduce the inflammation. It is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can direct your treatment and provide the expert care you need. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, 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.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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 and ankle needs.

If you have a stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot near the heel that is worse first thing in the morning when you get up, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a very common cause of heel pain, occurring when the plantar fascia—a fibrous band of tissue on the sole of the foot that links the heel bone with the toes and supports the arch—becomes irritated, swollen, hot, red and sore. This irritation may occur through overuse of the plantar fascia due to sports activities, obesity, spending a good deal of your day standing, or by having high arches or flat feet. If you are experiencing the pain of plantar fasciitis, which may be worse in the morning or after periods of rest, there are various proven methods and therapies to treat it successfully. Don’t put up with the pain of plantar fasciitis. Instead, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today to begin your journey to recovery.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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.

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons that people seek the care of a podiatrist. Because the heel is such a foundational part of the body, there are many potential reasons that your heel may hurt. Sometimes heel pain occurs as a natural consequence of aging. The fatty pad on the bottom of the heel, which provides cushioning and protection to the heels, slowly wears away with age, increasing the risk of heel pain. Various injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, fractures, sprains, and tarsal tunnel syndrome, can also make the heel hurt. Systemic conditions, including arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, may be to blame for your heel pain. Lifestyle factors, such as wearing ill-fitting shoes or standing or exercising excessively can contribute to heel pain as well. If you are suffering from heel pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, 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.

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 one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of a nail grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling. The most common causes of ingrown toenails are trimming the nails improperly, wearing shoes that are too tight in the toe area, or having an abnormal gait or toe shape. Some people can also be prone to ingrown toenails due to genetic differences in the shape of their toenails. Mild ingrown toenails often heal with at-home treatments, such as putting cotton between the ingrown toenail and skin fold and wearing roomier or open-toed shoes. In cases where the ingrown toenail is severe or the surrounding area becomes infected, surgery may be needed to remove the ingrown nail. If you have painful ingrown toenails, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

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 Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. 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 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.