The foot condition that is known as plantar fasciitis affects many people across the globe. It happens when the plantar fascia becomes irritated or torn from gradual overuse, or possibly from an injury. The plantar fascia is found on the sole of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. It is responsible for walking and running, and completing daily activities can be difficult if it becomes damaged. A common cause of this foot condition is wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, which may cause heel support to be lost and uneven steps to be taken. People who walk barefoot may find the ligaments in their feet become damaged, and these are crucial in providing adequate support for the feet. If this pertains to you, it is beneficial to limit the time walking barefoot, and it can help to wear shoes with adequate cushioning in the heel area. If you have developed plantar fasciitis, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and offer correct treatment options for plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Alex Kim, DPM  from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

The top layer of the skin is affected when athlete’s foot develops. It can cause severe itching and redness, and the area may become dry and begin to flake. It is considered to be contagious, and the fungus that causes this ailment lives in warm and moist environments. These can include shower room floors, public swimming pools, and surrounding areas. An effective preventive method can consist of wearing appropriate shoes while in these types of places, such as flip-flops or water shoes. Patients who have athlete’s foot may also find they have cracked heels, and applying a good moisturizer may help them to find mild relief. In severe cases of athletes’ foot, small blisters may begin to form and ooze. This may also be managed by using moisturizer. Many patients who have developed athlete’s foot often seek the advice of a podiatrist, and it is suggested that you contact this type of doctor who can prescribe medication as an effective treatment method.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

The foot condition known as plantar fibromatosis is rare. A plantar fibroma is a fibrous, hardened area in the shape of a circle that develops in the arch. It is a benign growth, and it may form in both feet. Many patients don't report pain unless they walk barefoot or their shoe pushes against it. A plantar fibroma may occur if an injury has happened to the sole or from the consistent pressure the feet endure while running. Research has indicated it may happen from taking certain medications, such as anti-seizure medicine, beta-blockers, or excessive doses of vitamin C. An MRI is generally performed that can correctly diagnose a plantar fibroma and may be followed with a biopsy. Mild relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, in addition to taking anti-inflammatory medication. If you have discovered a lump on the sole of your foot, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat a plantar fibroma.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Alex Kim, DPM of AVID Foot & Ankle Center. 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 Little Elm, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Working on your feet all day or exercising vigorously are just a couple of things that can cause your feet to feel sore. You might have a problematic foot structure, like flat feet or high arches, that result in aching feet. You could have also sustained an injury that caused damage to your feet, or if you are overweight, the extra pounds you carry could be putting a burden on your feet. There are times when your feet hurt that it is essential to see a podiatrist immediately, such as fracturing a foot or ankle or having a diabetic foot ulcer. Things you can do to soothe your feet when they hurt include soaking them, stretching them, and making sure shoes are comfortable and fit well. To prevent foot pain or treat it when it gets out of control, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist regularly to have your feet examined and make sure you are tending to them the best way you can.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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