Do you struggle with ball of foot pain?

We see patients everyday that do. It's very common for runners and we also see it in patients that wear high heeled shoes. 

We have patients come in all the time stating that they have numbness and tingling in their toes, or they commonly state that they feel like they are stepping on a rock or their sock feels like it is bunched up between their toes.  These are all symptoms of a Neuroma.

A Neuroma is an enlarged, benign growth of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas are caused by tissue rubbing against the nerves that causes it to thicken and result in irritation of the nerve. Neuromas usually develops between the third and fourth toes.  Pressure from poorly fitting shoes or an abnormal bone structure can also lead to this condition. Symptoms may include sensations of thickness, burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in the ball of the foot.

Conservative treatments usually resolve the pain or progressions of the condition, and range from wearing roomier, lower-heeled footwear or using orthotics to reduce the pressure on the nerve, to injections of corticosteroid medication to reduce swelling and inflammation. In severe cases, surgical removal of the growth may be necessary.   

 At Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah we are highly trained to diagnose any foot or ankle problems you struggle with. Please Contact Us with any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment.

You are a very active person and exercise regularly. You do not typically exercise but did get a lot of exercise recently. You are in training for an athletic event. You have flat feet or high arches. What do you all have in common? You can all develop Achilles Tendonitis.

The Achilles tendon is the strongest plantarflexor of the foot (points your foot down). Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Let's talk more about how a tendon so strong can get irritated and worn out.

Tendonitis results from overuse. Long-standing tendonitis becomes tendonosis (degeneration of the tendon) which is much harder to treat. This overuse can happen over a period of time or can happen over a weekend. If you exercise regularly or are in training for an athletic event, as strong as the Achilles tendon is, this work horse could use a break every once in a while! With chronic, long term, sustained use, this tendon becomes strained.

Flat feet can cause Achilles tendonitis? Who would have thought by that foot flattening out more than it should, the Achilles tendon would pull ever so slightly more, and, over time, cause pain. High-arched feet are just as bad. Too much pull on the tendon occurs due to a biomechanical disadvantage caused by a rigid high-arched foot.

The simplest form of treatment can involve rest, heel lifts, icing, inserts and anti-inflammatories. More complex forms Achilles tendonitis can include immobilization through a boot or cast, physical therapy, and in the most resistant cases, surgery. The longer you have it, the worse it gets. Do not let it get that far! The Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah wants to help. We see thousands of patients struggling with Achilles Tendonitis. We have the experience and knowledge to get you back on the right track!

Thinking of waiting to see if it works itself out or are trying to work through the pain? Let us help you reconsider. If you are experiencing  pain or swelling to the Achilles tendon or the back of the heel, call or contact our office to have it evaluated. 

We Have Two Office Locations To Assist You! Click Here To Contact Us.

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The APMA recently published a survey that verified what most of us already know: American's blame their lack of exercise on foot pain.  72% of people surveyed said they do not exercise because foot pain prevents them from doing so! This finding, coupled with the staggering rate of obesity in the US makes podiatrists all that more important in the fight against chronic disease.

The study surveyed 1,000 US adults, ages 18 and older, to gain public opinion on attitudes toward foot health and foot care. Results showed that Americans view their feet as the least important body part in terms of their health and well-being. However, feet were the number one body part to experience pain, even more so than the teeth or skin. As foot pain contributes to a variety of negative health consequences, it is important that Americans seek the care of a podiatrist immediately if problems arise.

It is critical that people pay attention to their feet and seek expert treatment for foot problems. The podiatric foot and ankle surgeons at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah can not only help ensure Utahns are able to exercise, but also help catch signs of diabetes, arthritis, and nerve and circulatory disorders, which can all be detected in the feet.

If you or one of your family members is experiencing foot pain, Contact Us for an appointment. If you want more information about foot and ankle woes, request a copy of our FREE BOOK, "Heel Pain Very Common, Yet Often Untreated" or peruse the website. We are here to help you get back on your feet and on the way to a healthier you!  dfdf    We dkjf        f

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We talk ourselves out of things being serious all the time. Sprained Ankles top that list. In our Bountiful and West Jordan, UT podiatry practice,  We hear people say every day that they "JUST rolled their ankle." But weeks and months later the pain and swelling is still there. Ankle sprains are serious injuries that need to be treated quickly to assure that you recover quickly to full strength and stability.

The most common type of ankle injury is a sprain, which is stretching and tearing of ligaments. There are many ligaments around the ankle and these can become damaged when the ankle is forced into a position not normally encountered.

Most frequently, ankle sprains occur when the ankle “rolls in.” This is encountered when one walks on an uneven surface and in many sports where sudden stops and turns are common, such as basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Many patients report hearing a “pop” when the injury occurs, followed shortly after with pain, swelling, and bruising.

Initial management usually involves the “RICE” principle. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The main error people tend to make is to put heat on the ankle. This will increase the swelling and pain.

It is also important that you visit with a podiatrist. We have two convenient locations in Bountiful, Utah and West Jordan, Utah.  The severity of the sprain needs to be determined and, most importantly, it is important to be assured that there is no fracture. Ligaments heal quickly, but not in a good, stable position if they are not treated appropriately. Wearing an ankle brace is not enough Do not delay your visit to the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah to assure the best possible results!
 

Your feet are just as important as any other part of your body. Therefore, it is crucial you take care of your feet. Some conditions of the feet are so common that most people think these are normal or can be treated with time especially when the problem has to do with the skin on your feet. There are over-the-counter treatment products that have worked for patients in the past. However, when the skin condition does not get better or the condition gets worse, it is time to schedule an appointment with your local Podiatrist.

Here are six common skin conditions of the feet:

1. Verruca or Warts: This condition is a live virus that resides in the upper layer of the skin. Some over-the-counter topical acids or wart bandaids have been used to cure this, but if the wart returns or doesn't go away, making an appointment is key to prevent numerous warts from occurring.

2. Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis) : This skin condition loves moist, warm areas of the body and you tend to see this around athletes (hence the name). Saunas, pool areas, athlete's shoes, and hot showers are common places for Athlete's Foot to appear.

3. Xerosis: This skin condition is diagnosed when a patient has low moisture in the skin. This can lead to painful cracks, especially on your heels.

4. Nail Fungus or Onychomycosis: This condition is diagnosed when a patient has thickened, discolored, and flaky toenails. You can have toenail fungus on only one toenail, a few toenails, one foot, or all your toenails. This just depends on the severity of your toenail fungus. Dr. Anderson discusses our new FDA Approved Toenail Laser in our YouTube video.

5.Calluses and Corns (Pressure Hyperkeratosis): This skin condition tends to form at areas of the foot where there is pressure against shoes. One of the most common reasons for this includes bone deformities like Bunions, or Hammertoes.

6. Ingrown Toenails: This toenail infection has several causes. A simple procedure is done in the office that will remove the ingrown toenail and help prevent the toenail from becoming infected again.