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Port Neches, TX (409) 727-1122

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August 2021

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may be experiencing joint pain and stiffness in your feet. Gentle exercises can help reduce foot pain for people dealing with this condition. One simple exercise that you can try is rolling a stress ball with your foot so that the ball is underneath the front part of your heel. This helps stretch the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports your arches. You can do this exercise while sitting or standing. To learn more about how to take care of your feet with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and to learn more about helpful exercises you can practice, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM of Texas. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 17 August 2021 00:00

What Is a Heel to Toe Drop?

While searching for the right running shoe, you may have come across the term “heel to toe drop,” but what does this mean? The heel to toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot area of the running shoes. This is measured in millimeters. Shoes are divided into four categories based on the size of the heel to toe drop. There is zero drop (0mm), low drop (1-4mm), mid drop (5-8mm), and high drop (8+mm). The most common heel drop in standard running shoes measures about 10mm. The heel to toe drop can affect your gait, foot strike pattern, and running form, so it may be beneficial to select shoes that compliment or compensate for your gait and any foot or ankle issues that you may have. A podiatrist can examine your feet for any issues and perform a gait analysis to help determine what kind of running shoes would be best for you. 

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

  • Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
  • There should be little to no slipping at the heel
  • Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
  • Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
  • Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

Tuesday, 10 August 2021 00:00

Unsightly Hammertoe

The foot condition that is known as hammer toe may also be referred to as contracted toe. It is considered to be a deformity, and can appear unsightly. It can cause the toes to resemble a hammer. This can be a result of the middle joints of the second and third toe that gradually bend upward, forcing the rest of the toe to bend down. It often happens from genetic factors, or from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Additionally, there may be a muscle imbalance that can cause hammer toes to develop. Some of the symptoms that are associated with this ailment can include pain while stretching the affected toes, and corns may develop on top of the toes as the toes rub against the shoes that are worn. Mild relief may be found when larger shoes are worn, and it may help to wear a protective pad over the corns. In severe cases, surgery may be an option that can permanently straighten the toes. If you have a hammer toe, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM of Texas. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

  • Painful and/or difficult toe movement
  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Calluses/Corns
  • Physical deformity

Risk Factors

  • Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
  • Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
  • Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
  • Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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A broken toe is not only painful, it can also be very inconvenient because the toes help with walking and balance. Common signs of a broken toe include the inability to walk, throbbing, bruising, swelling, redness, tenderness, or the toe appears crooked. While the toe bones are small, and a broken toe may seem minor, any toe fracture should be looked at by a podiatrist. If a broken toe is left untreated, complications such as long term pain, arthritis, permanent bone deformity, or an infection may occur. Upon visiting a podiatrist, they will be able to help provide a proper treatment method for the injury. Common treatment methods for a broken toe include icing, resting, buddy taping, or surgery, and in some cases, antibiotics may be necessary if an infection has occurred.  

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising on the skin and toenail
  • The inability to move the toe
  • Toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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