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Lansdowne, PA
(610) 626-3338

 

July 2021

Wearing high heels on a daily basis puts excessive pressure on the balls and soles of your feet and toes, as well as on the back of the heel bone—all of which can cause a host of foot and ankle problems. You can try to help alleviate pain in the plantar fascia by applying light pressure while rolling a tennis ball under the ball of one foot as you stand on the other. Use small, circular motions moving from front-to-back, and switch sides after 30-60 seconds. You can also try to help stretch your calf muscles and strengthen your shins by lifting your toes off of the floor as you walk around in the morning getting ready. A podiatrist can offer more suggestions and therapies to help counter the effects of high heels, as well as treat any foot conditions they may have caused.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

  • Ankle Joints
  • Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
  • Balls of the Feet
  • Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
  • Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

  • Corns
  • Calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

Read more about Why High Heels Are Not Ideal for Healthy Feet
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 20 July 2021 00:00

Does It Hurt to Freeze a Foot Wart?

Plantar warts, which grow on the bottom of the feet, can be removed by freezing them off in a treatment called cryotherapy. During this procedure, the doctor cuts the wart with a small, sharp knife and then applies a freezing substance, such as liquid nitrogen, with a cotton swab or spray. Cryotherapy can hurt, and your doctor may use a local anesthetic to reduce pain. The treatment itself takes only a few minutes. Following the procedure, your foot may hurt for two to three days. A blister can form over the site of the wart but will typically disappear within a few days. There is a chance for minimal scarring. If you have a wart on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to see if cryotherapy is the right treatment for you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

  • Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
  • Hard or thick callused spots
  • Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
  • Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

  • Freezing
  • Electric tool removal
  • Laser Treatment
  • Topical Creams (prescription only)
  • Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Read more about What Are Plantar Warts?
Published in Blog
Monday, 19 July 2021 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 00:00

How Achilles Tendon Ruptures Occur

The Achilles tendon is the large tendon on the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscle and the heel bone. When these tendon fibers tear, what is known as a rupture occurs and this leads to pain and a loss of function. During an Achilles tendon rupture, a popping or snapping sound may be heard and the patient can feel as though they’ve been kicked in the back of the leg. During a complete rupture, the heel may not be able to lift off the ground. Achilles tendon ruptures often occur in weekend athletes who don’t train as hard during the week. Other factors that may contribute to ruptures include tight calf muscles, a change in running surface, poor footwear, and obesity. Patients who have ruptured their Achilles tendon tendon should visit a podiatrist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. George Yarnell of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

  • Inflammation
  • Dull to severe pain
  • Increased blood flow to the tendon
  • Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

  • Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
  • Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

  • Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
  • Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

Read more about What are Achilles Tendon Injuries
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 06 July 2021 00:00

How Obesity Affects a Child’s Feet

The arch of the foot is primarily responsible for absorbing and dispersing reaction forces that feet encounter during normal activities. When ligaments which support the arch are subject to prolonged, excessive loading from obesity, they can become overly stretched, damaged, and painful. Children who are obese may be more prone to foot pain and flat feet due to increased levels of pressure put on the soles of the feet. This, in turn, may restrict their ability to participate in physical activity. If your child is obese and is experiencing pain in their feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who may prescribe custom orthotics to help improve foot alignment, decrease pain and improve overall mobility.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. George Yarnell of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Read more about How to Care for Your Child's Feet
Published in Blog
Thursday, 01 July 2021 00:00

Nerve Growth and Morton’s Neuroma

Nerve tissue is often affected due to Morton’s neuroma. Growths can form on the tissue, and may cause pressure, pain, and discomfort. Many patients liken the sensation to having a pebble in the shoe, and some people feel a burning or numbing sensation. This condition can develop from repetitive overuse while performing specific sporting activities, or it may come from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Additionally, people who have hammertoes, bunions, or flat feet may be prone to developing Morton’s neuroma. Prompt treatment should begin in order to lessen existing pain. It is important to have a proper diagnosis made, which is generally done by having an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI performed. Relief can be found when shoes that are worn fit properly, in addition to wearing custom made orthotics. There are several treatment options available for Morton’s neuroma, and it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the best one is for you.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Dr. George Yarnell of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

  • Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
  • Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
  • Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Read more about Morton's Neuroma
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