September 2022

All runners sustain injuries from time to time. If you are a beginning runner, it is important to start slowly and maintain a training level a bit beneath your ability. Over- training is one of the first ways runners get injured. If you become injured while running, resting is the first course of action. So, for example, if you pull a muscle, stop running and walk for a bit to see if the pain diminishes. Rest until you can resume running pain free. Most injuries suffered as beginning runners are minor and heal quickly but if your pain persists, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment, as well as additional tips on running safely.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact our foot specialists of California. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Excessively dry skin can lead to a foot condition known as cracked heels. The cracks can become deep if not treated promptly and these are referred to as fissures. People who develop cracked heels can have pain and discomfort, and it may be difficult to walk. Fissures can develop as the heel endures the weight of the body and the fat pad that is found under the skin can flatten out. This foot condition can develop in patients who wear shoes with an open back or stand for the majority of the day. Additionally, obesity may play a significant role in the development of cracked heels as well as existing medical conditions. These conditions might include dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. Treatment methods can consist of limiting the amount of standing that is done on hard or uneven surfaces and it can help to apply a good moisturizer. If you are afflicted with cracked heels, please consult with a podiatrist who can recommend treatment options and prevention methods.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact our foot specialists from California. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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

Foot pain, no matter when it occurs during the day, can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. While it is common for individuals suffering from conditions like plantar fasciitis to experience foot pain at the very beginning of the day, others experience foot pain at night. For example, it is possible to experience ankle pain during the night, and can happen for several reasons. First, tarsal tunnel syndrome can create pain that's worse at night. When nerves in your ankle become compressed and pinched, tarsal tunnel syndrome can develop. Individuals can experience pain not just in the ankles but also numbness and discomfort on the soles of the feet. Since the pressure on these nerves is most potent at night, the pain is typically more acute at this time. If you experience ankle pain at night, it may be caused by nighttime foot cramps. Comparable to the nocturnal leg cramps that usually affect the calves, foot cramps work similarly and can cause shooting pains in the feet. Sometimes, foot cramps can create pain that travels up to the ankle. If you have pain in your ankle that is more noticeable at night, contact a podiatrist to help address the problem.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with our foot specialists  from California. 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 Upland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A podiatrist is a doctor that treats the foot, ankle, and any connecting leg parts. They are known as a doctor of podiatric medicine or DPM, and these initials will appear after their name. Podiatrists must complete four years of study and training at a podiatric medical school. After this, they must complete residency training for three more years in a hospital or clinic. When they pass all required exams, they are certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (APMA). Some of these doctors choose to specialize (such as in surgery, sports medicine, or pediatrics), and if they do this, they must obtain more training in their area of specialty. Podiatrists must be licensed in the state that they work in, and like other physicians, they must renew their licenses and keep up to date with their training. Like a family doctor or general care physician, unless they specialize, podiatrists treat people of all ages and for a range of conditions. If your feet hurt or if you have sustained an injury to your feet or ankles, it is time to see a podiatrist who can diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment. It is a good idea to have your feet checked by this type of doctor periodically anyway. Remember, your feet support your weight and get you through a lifetime of mobility.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact our foot specialists from California. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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