April 2023

Pain in the arch of the foot may indicate a plantar fibroma has developed. It is defined as a growth that develops on the plantar fascia, which is the portion of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. A plantar fibroma is found on the sole of the foot and may cause discomfort, although it is generally benign. The majority of fibromas often measure less than one inch, causing pain and discomfort as a result of the pressure that is exerted on the nerves. There may be existing medical conditions that can lead some patients to develop a plantar fibroma. These can include diabetes, excessive alcohol use disorder, or possibly epilepsy. After a diagnosis is performed, which consists of having an X-ray or MRI taken, treatment can begin. Mild relief may be found when the symptoms are managed by wearing custom-made orthotics or taking pain medication. If you have a plantar fibroma, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment, which may include minor surgery for permanent removal.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. 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.

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 office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Weak muscles and lack of strength are one of the main causes of falling, especially among seniors whose lifestyle has become more sedentary. One way to prevent falling is to perform exercises that improve foot strength and balance. It’s a good idea to have someone with you while performing such exercises and to do them while lightly touching a wall, countertop, or chairback. Start with a few repetitions and gradually increase them as your muscles and confidence get stronger. Heel raises are specifically designed to build ankle strength, which is essential in keeping your balance. Raise the heels by rising up onto the ball of the feet and hold for a few seconds. Then slowly lower the heels. Repeat. Toe raises help to strengthen the muscles in the front of the foot, which is used when stepping over obstacles. Holding onto the chairback, raise the toes up as far as you can while also standing tall and keeping the stomach muscles tight. Lower and repeat. For more information on exercises to prevent falling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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.

If you enjoy jazzercise, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes is important. It would be nice if they were attractive shoes, but that should take a back seat to be good for your feet and the activity you are participating in. Attention should be paid to arch support, so feet pronate or strike the floor and correctly distribute weight. If you are at a crossroads regarding the size of the jazzercise shoe, always go a half size up, as the foot will inch forward during high-impact exercise. Shoes should be flexible between the heel and the ball of the foot to accommodate the turns, twists, and jumps done in jazzercise. Also, look for lightweight, breathable shoes that provide support but do not restrict mobility for this activity. If you want assurance in selecting the proper shoes for jazzercise and your feet, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help guide you.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

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.

The ankle is made up of bones and supported by muscles and ligaments that stabilize the body. Ankle disorders can occur from damage to any part of the ankle. Common ankle disorders include sprains, fractures, and tendonitis. An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the ankle. A fracture is a break in an ankle bone. Tendonitis is when there is inflammation in the ankle tendons. Running, jumping, and overuse are the leading causes of ankle disorders. Other causes of ankle problems are falling, lack of flexibility and strength in the leg and foot, and excess strain on the Achilles tendon. Symptoms experienced from ankle issues will differ depending on the specific problem, but commonly one might experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and lack of mobility from ankle disorders. If you are having any problems with your ankles, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to obtain a plan of treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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.