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July 2020

Monday, 27 July 2020 00:00

Common Foot Injuries in Cyclists

Riding a bicycle can be great exercise. However, as with any sport, there is a risk of injury. Foot pain is unsurprisingly common in cyclists. A burning sensation, numbness, or pain on the underside of the foot is a frequent complaint and may be due to excess pressure being put on the nerves of the feet. This can be avoided by wearing appropriate shoes that provide support and allow your feet adequate room to move. A podiatrist can assist you in choosing the right shoes and may prescribe orthotics depending on the cause and severity of your pain. Another common complaint among cyclists is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that runs underneath the foot. See a podiatrist to diagnose and treat this condition and to learn about how you can prevent future injuries. 

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from Riznyk Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Broken Foot
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Stress Fractures
  • Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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

Read more about Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Monday, 20 July 2020 00:00

Stretching Can Improve Range of Motion

Many patients who enjoy the sport of running are often aware of the importance of preventing running injuries. When strength training and stretching techniques are frequently practiced, the likelihood of getting a running injury may be reduced. Research has indicated it is beneficial to warm up before and after running, and this can help to improve range of motion. This includes stretching the upper body, which may help to reduce existing weak spots. Many running injuries can be prevented when the time and mileage is gradually increased, and this can give the body time to adapt to successfully complete a training program. If you would like additional information how running injuries can affect the feet and how to avoid them, it is advised that you consult with a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Riznyk Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Read more about How to Prevent Running Injuries

The purpose of the talus bone is to act as a link between the leg and foot, while also playing an important role in forming the ankle joint. If the talus is injured, it can negatively affect the function of the foot and ankle joints by limiting their range of motion. Patients who fracture their talus may experience a great deal of ankle pain. Other symptoms can include swelling around the ankle joint, fracture blisters, bruising, and an inability to bear weight on the affected joint. In order to determine if ankle pain is caused by a talus fracture, an X-ray should be performed by a professional. For advice on treatment and a proper diagnosis, please consult with a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Riznyk Podiatry. Our doctors 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 Orchard Park, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Ankle Pain
Monday, 06 July 2020 00:00

Causes of Cracked Heels

Cracked heels or heel fissures are a common foot condition that can cause discomfort and sometimes pain. The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as calluses, around the rim of your heel. As you walk the fat pad under your heel expands, causing the calluses to crack. Some factors for cracked heels to develop can be weight gain or obesity, standing on hard surfaces for extended periods of time, and open back shoes that do not provide adequate support for the heel of the foot. Most of the time cracked heels don't really hurt, but as the cracks deepen, they may bleed or cause standing and walking to become painful. To prevent cracked heels, it is recommended to apply a good moisturizer to the feet daily. Patients with diabetes should check their feet regularly, if the fissures go unnoticed, they could turn into diabetic foot ulcers. If your cracked heels are severe, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can guide you towards correct treatment options.  

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Riznyk Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

  • Invest in a good foot cream
  • Try Using Petroleum Jelly
  • Ease up on Soaps
  • Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

  • Moisturize After Showering
  • Skip a Shower
  • Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
  • Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

Read more about Solutions for Cracked Heels
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