Research has shown that approximately a third of the United States population is considered to be obese. This can have an enormous impact on the feet and may cause many foot problems to develop. Heel pain is a common ailment among people who are overweight, which is a result of the additional weight the heels must endure. Also, the heel may flatten from the same reason, which can change the entire foot structure. Losing weight may help to resolve some of these foot conditions, which may be challenging because of the lack of exercise that can be performed. Patients who are determined to lose weight may find additional ways to become active without exercising. These include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, pacing while on the phone, and walking by starting off with short distances. Many people choose to wear insoles in their shoes, and this may provide additional cushioning while standing. If you have foot conditions that have developed as a result of being overweight, please confer with a podiatrist who can effectively treat foot ailments.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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.

Synovitis is inflammation of the tissues that line a joint. Those with gout or another form of arthritis may be at risk for synovitis. It is also a result of overuse or trauma to a joint. Symptoms include redness, swelling, warmth, and pain with joint motion. Since pain or synovitis might mimic that of other afflictions, like fractures or infections, it is important to see a podiatrist and have the feet evaluated. Treatment often includes rest, immobilization, and medications. Surgery may be necessary for synovitis that has persisted. If you feel pain in your feet and ankle joints, see a podiatrist  to get a proper diagnosis and learn about treatment options.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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

During a woman’s pregnancy, she might experience several different important changes to her feet. For example, the increased weight gained from bearing a growing child can put extra strain on the feet, sometimes causing foot pain. There are several steps that a pregnant woman could consider taking to mitigate her increased foot pain. First, a pregnant woman might drink a good deal of water. Doing this will help reduce the amount of salt in the body, consequently minimizing inflammation in the feet. Also, a pregnant woman could apply ice to the feet if the ankles become exceedingly swollen. Applying ice in short increments to the feet can help bring down the swelling. Lastly, a pregnant woman can make an appointment with a podiatrist to help treat any pain in the feet that she is experiencing. To learn more about mitigating foot pain during pregnancy, make an appointment with a podiatrist today.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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.

It may be surprising, but one area of the body that is often neglected is the feet. When everyday foot care is practiced, the feet can look and feel their best. Investing time in foot care may help to prevent unwanted foot conditions from developing. There are simple and effective methods to implement that consist of washing and drying the feet daily, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short is important to possibly prevent an ingrown toenail. Calluses may be minimized by exfoliating the skin on a regular basis and this can be done by gently using a pumice stone. Additionally, this may help improve the overall appearance of the feet. The feet are susceptible to bacterial and fungal growth, which could lead to athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. If you would like more information and have questions about how to perform proper foot care, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. 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 office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.