Stay at Home Causing an Increase in Heel Pain

Do you suffer from heel pain and it has it worsened since you have been stuck at home? We have some tips for you! Most often, heel pain on the bottom of the heel is due to plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. Either condition causes pain where the large ligament, the plantar fascia, attaches to the bottom of the heel bone. So many people have had an increase in pain recently, especially those that are at home not wearing shoes. Shoes with an enclosed heel provide much needed support so its best to wear your sneakers or other shoes with a stiff heel counter as much as possible, even while you are indoors. Doing runners stretches that stretch the Achilles tendon along with physically (using your hands) bending the toes toward the knee helps stretch the plantar fascia. Please do not go too long with heel pain without getting medical help. While it may start out as inflammatory (plantar fasciitis), the problem can develop into a more chronic one (plantar fasciosis) which is much more difficult to resolve. Many podiatrists are considered essential and are open for injuries and other painful conditions.

Don't be Scared to Take Care of Your Health Needs even with Covid-19 Still Present!

"I can still bear weight, so it must just be a bad bruise" said my friend when she sent me this photo of her painful, swollen and bruised foot resulting from a pancake griddle catastrophe over a week ago!  So many things wrong with this statement!

First of all, just because you can bear weight doesn't mean there isn't a fracture.  Some bones of the foot and ankle do not bear weight so they may not be very painful when you stand on them.  Some bones fracture where the tendons attach so they may only be painful when you walk, not when you stand.  And some bones break in places that are only vaguely painful.  BUT if there is an injury that has swelling and bruising after a week, you must get an x-ray to rule out a fracture!

Cute Sandals!

Why do you need to rule out a fracture if there is no pain you ask?  Because not all fractures will heal properly on their own, especially in the feet because your feet support your full body weight and are subject to many different forces.  Because some fractures may not heal at all if they are in an area that does not have adequate oxygenation.  Because some fractures heal in abnormal positions that will affect the function of your feet (and ambulation) down the road.  So don't wait!

Yes, we are all worried about contracting Covid-19, but many podiatry offices are open for urgent and essential needs.  Injury is considered an essential health care need.  So PLEASE see a podiatrist if you have an injury, especially one that results in swelling for more than a few days!

Women's Feet After Menopause

Does the ball of your feet cause  you pain when you walk or wear certain shoes?   Do you feel that your arch is falling as you get older?  Do you feel that your bunions and hammertoes are becoming more painful?  Is your skin more dry and calloused?  Menopause may be the culprit!  Hormones have major effects on our bodies, including our feet.  Both in pregnancy and after menopause, foot problems develop in many women.

See the article that I was interviewed for here.

COVID 19 Signs in the TOES of People Without Symptoms

COVID 19 manifestations are now seen in young people, including kids, that are otherwise asymptomatic.   Due to the changes in the arteries and clotting issues, a variety of changes are showing up in the toes.

Discoloration, small sores and even just signs that look like an ingrown nail may be present. Please keep an eye out for these changes in your kids and in younger adults.  It could be a sign that they ARE infected even thought they may not have any respiratory symptoms.

(thank you to the mom's podiatry group for photos with permission).