How Flat Feet Can Affect Your Tennis Performance
Research has indicated that a staggering 30% of the world's population has the medical condition known as flat feet. People with flat feet who also enjoy tennis can experience challenges while playing the game, which can result in intense pain. They may notice their feet roll inward, which can affect the function of their ankle joints, and ultimately weaken their tennis play. Flat feet may also lead to additional issues involving the ankles and other parts of the foot. Research has indicated it may help to wear specific shoes while playing tennis, such as those that do not bend in the arch area, and that have adequate room for the toes to move freely. If you have flat feet, and would like additional information on preventing sports injuries and advice on proper footwear, please consult with a podiatrist.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Fusion Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms
- Pain around the heel or arch area
- Trouble standing on the tip toe
- Swelling around the inside of the ankle
- Flat look to one or both feet
- Having your shoes feel uneven when worn
Treatment
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Worth and Arlington, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
What is Flexible Flat Foot?
Flatfoot is classified as having the entire sole of the foot in contact or near contact to the ground while standing. The disorder is also known as fallen arches, because those affected have no arch in their feet. Flexible flatfoot and rigid flatfoot are the two types of flatfoot.
A person has flexible flatfoot if when sitting or standing on their toes, they have an arch that disappears when they stand with the entire foot on the ground. Flexible flatfoot may also be called “pediatric flatfoot” because the condition first appears in childhood. It is common among infants because the arch does not develop until the age of 5 or 6 years. Rigid flatfoot is not as common in children as it is with adults. This type of flatfoot is developed due to the weakening of tibialis posterior muscle tendon, a major supporting structure of the foot arch. Development of this deformity is progressive and shows early signs of pain and swelling that begins at the inside arch of the foot and moves to the outside of the foot below the ankle. More severe cases can possibly lead to arthritis of the foot and ankle joints.
Although most cases of flatfoot involve people born with the condition, some less common causes are obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, and osteoporosis. In some cases, flatfoot may come with no symptoms at all and does not require any type of treatment. With other cases though, symptoms may include pain in the shin, knee, hips and lower back. If a person with flatfeet experiences such symptoms, a health care provider may suggest using orthotic devices or arch supports, which may reduce the pain. Wearing supportive shoes can also prove more comfortable with flatfeet and staying away from shoes with little support such as sandals. Other methods to relieve pain also include stretching the Achilles tendon properly and using proper form when doing any physical activity. In addition, losing weight can reduce the stress on your feet and reduce the pain.
Arthritis Can Cause Pain in the Feet and Ankles
If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.
What Is This Pain in the Ball of My Foot?
The metatarsal bones connect the toes with the mid-and-hind-foot bones. Because they are weight-bearing bones, they can become overly pressured, which can cause pain or burning in the ball of the foot, or a tingling/numb feeling in the toes. When this occurs, it is known as metatarsalgia. It is believed that women may be more at risk for developing metatarsalgia, along with those who wear high heels extensively or have a job that requires prolonged standing. Metatarsalgia may also be preceded by bunions or other foot conditions like hammertoes or Morton’s neuroma. If you have pain in the ball of your foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam. If you are diagnosed with metatarsalgia, custom metatarsal orthotics, shoe modifications, and other treatments may be used to help ease the pain you are experiencing.
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Fusion Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Fort Worth and Arlington, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Foot Pain
The feet, being the foundation of the body, carry all of the body’s weight and are therefore prone to experiencing pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing foot pain, it is important to determine where in the foot you are experiencing this pain to help discover the cause of it. While pain can be experienced virtually anywhere in the foot, the most common sites of foot pain are in the heel and ankle.
Heel pain can be due to a multitude of conditions including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spurs. Pain experienced in the ankle can be a sign of an ankle sprain, arthritis, gout, ankle instability, ankle fracture, or nerve compression. In more serious cases, pain in the foot can be a sign of improper alignment or an infection.
Foot pain can be accompanied by symptoms including redness, swelling, stiffness and warmth in the affected area. Whether the pain can be described as sharp or dull depends on the foot condition behind it. It is important to visit your local podiatrist if your foot pain and its accompanying symptoms persist and do not improve over time.
Depending on the location and condition of your foot pain, your podiatrist may prescribe certain treatments. These treatments can include but are not limited to prescription or over-the-counter drugs and medications, certain therapies, cortisone injections, or surgery.
If you are experiencing persistent foot pain, it is important to consult with your foot and ankle doctor to determine the cause and location. He or she will then prescribe the best treatment for you. While milder cases of foot pain may respond well to rest and at-home treatments, more serious cases may take some time to fully recover.
Is There Relief for Bunions?
The bottom and side of the big toe is generally the location where a bunion develops. It is considered to be a deformity and can appear for a variety of reasons. These can include genetic factors, and wearing shoes that do not have enough room for the toes to move freely in. Additionally, existing medical conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis may cause a bunion to develop. If the bunion is mild relief may be found when orthotics are worn, or when the bunion is covered with a protective pad. Severe bunions may require surgery to correct them permanently. If you notice signs of a small bump on the side of the big toe, please confer with a podiatrist as quickly as possible. Early treatment can slow down or stop a bunion's progression.
If you are suffering from bunions, contact one of our podiatrists of Fusion Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.
Why Do Bunions Form?
Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary
Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions
How Are Bunions Diagnosed?
Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.
How Are Bunions Treated?
- Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
- Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
- Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
- Orthotics or foot inserts
- Surgery
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Worth and Arlington, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Bunions
A bunion is a bump that forms at the base of the big toe. Bunions form when the big toe pushes against the next toe, which forces the big toe joint to get bigger and stick out. As a result, the skin over the bunion may start to appear red and it may feel sore.
There are risk factors that can increase your chances of developing bunions. People who wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes are more likely to develop them, in addition to those who have a genetic history of bunions or have rheumatoid arthritis.
The most obvious way to tell if you have a bunion is to look for the big toe pushing up against the toe next to it. Bunions produce a large protrusion at the base of the big toe and may or may not cause pain. Other symptoms are redness, swelling, and restricted movement of the big toe if you have arthritis.
Nonsurgical methods are frequently used to treat bunions that aren’t severe. Some methods of nonsurgical treatment are orthotics, icing and resting the foot, taping the foot, and pain medication. Surgery is usually only required in extreme cases. However, if surgery is needed, some procedures may involve removing the swollen tissue from around the big toe joint, straightening the big toe by removing part of the bone, or joining the bones of your affected joint permanently.
Your podiatrist will diagnose your bunion by doing a thorough examination of your foot. He or she may also conduct an x-ray to determine the cause of the bunion and its severity.
Issues That May Cause Heel Pain
The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot, and it absorbs most of the impact when walking or running. Because of this, heel pain can cause a variety of problems that impact daily life. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain, and this is a result of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot (known as the plantar fascia) becoming inflamed or torn. Another source of heel pain is known as Achilles tendonitis. This occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf muscle, becomes inflamed or begins to degenerate. Bone spurs can also lead to heel pain. These are formed when calcium builds up on the bone, and they generally occur at the back of the heel. Other common sources of heel pain can include heel bone fractures, bursitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and Sever’s disease. If you are struggling with heel pain, consulting with a podiatrist is important in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for your condition.
Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Fusion Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Causes of Heel Pain
Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.
Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.
Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.
Why Might Heel Pain Occur?
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Weight change
- Excessive running
Treatments
Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.
If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Fort Worth and Arlington, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Heel Pain
Have you ever gotten up from a chair or out of bed in the morning, and upon taking that first step, feel like your heel has stepped on a tack? Many people experience a feeling of sharp pain which radiates into their arch from their heel and which does not allow them to put their heel on the floor. Sometimes they need to sit back down, stand only on their toes and use the wall for balance. If you can take a few steps, it seems to go away and lessen, allowing you to then resume your activity. Later, throughout your day and after a period of rest, it can happen again. If this sounds familiar you may be suffering from your first attack of heel pain.
Heel pain is a debilitating condition that affects day to day activities. Running and walking both causes stress on the heel because the heel is the part of the foot that hits the ground first. This means that the heel is taking on your entire weight. Diagnosis and treatments for heel pain can be easily found through your podiatrist.
Plantar Fasciitis
One of the main causes of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that extends along the bottom of the foot, from the toe to the bottom of the heel. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of these tissues, resulting in heel pain. People who do not wear proper fitting shoes are often at risk of developing problems such as plantar fasciitis. Unnecessary stress from ill-fitting shoes, weight change, excessive running, and wearing non-supportive shoes on hard surfaces are all causes of plantar fasciitis.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Similar to plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause heel pain due to stress fractures and muscle tearing. A lack of flexibility of the ankle and heel is an indicator of Achilles tendonitis. If left untreated, this condition can lead to plantar fasciitis and cause even more pain on your heel.
Heel Spur
A third cause of heel pain is a heel spur. A heel spur occurs when the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, leading to a separation of the ligament from the heel bone entirely. This results in a pointed fragment of bone on the ball of the foot, known as a heel spur.
Flip-Flops and Wet Feet
Flip-flops are common beach and pool footwear, and if you’ve ever worn flip-flops to these places, you’ve likely worn them while your feet are wet. Although flip-flops leave most of your foot exposed, allowing it to air dry, walking around with wet feet in wet flip-flops can be quite dangerous. Wet flip-flops are more likely to slip off your foot, often coming off entirely while you walk. This can lead to a whole host of injuries, from getting a splinter in your foot from the boardwalk to twisting and spraining your ankle. Keeping the flip-flops on the feet while walking is difficult even under dry conditions, but when the shoes or feet are wet, it becomes a Herculean task. To keep flip-flops on the foot, you must scrunch up your toes in an awkward position. Over time, this can cause joint stiffness and hammertoes to develop. If you intend to wear flip-flops to the beach or pool, be sure to thoroughly dry your feet and the shoes prior to slipping them on. For more information about the relationship between footwear and the health of your feet, consult with a podiatrist.
Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Fusion Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
Flip-Flops and Feet
When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops. Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer. However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.
How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?
- Ankle problems
- Hip problems
- Lower back problems
- Pain in the balls of the feet
- Problems with foot arches
- Changes in the way you walk
Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?
Yes. Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections. Common injuries and ailments include:
- Sprained ankles
- Blisters
- Infections
- Cuts and Scrapes
I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet. These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Worth and Arlington, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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