Items filtered by date: June 2022

Inspecting your child’s feet regularly, and from an early age, is a good way to prevent foot problems in the future. If you notice any structural abnormality, be sure to see a podiatrist as soon as possible. Most congenital conditions, such as intoeing, may not correct on their own, but can respond positively if treatment is begun as the child’s foot grows and develops. Watch how your child walks to see whether their feet turn in or out. Check to see if they have knock-knees or other gait problems. Allow your young children to go barefoot on soft surfaces as this helps their muscle development, but be aware of hazards that could cause an injury, insect bite, or infection. However, it is not recommended that a child diagnosed with diabetes go barefoot. It’s important to maintain proper foot hygiene for your child. Feet should be washed daily and carefully dried, especially between the toes to ward off infection. If your child is active in sports, padded socks may help to prevent heel injuries. Monitor your child’s weight, as obesity can severely affect their foot growth and health. If you have further questions about your child’s foot health, please consult a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Steven Sheridan of Ankle & Foot Specialty Clinics. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

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Tuesday, 21 June 2022 00:00

Flat Feet and Muscle Pain

Many people are born with flat feet. Some live a healthy, active lifestyle with little to no pain from this condition while others are subject to chronic foot and leg pain. With normal walking, the foot flattens slightly to absorb force and to help accommodate the surface being walked on. A flat foot allows flexibility compared to a foot that has a higher arch, it is locked and rigid and does not absorb the force or mold to the ground. However, because a flat foot is looser, it can be prone to chronic muscle strain because the muscles work harder to keep the foot in a stable position. While the body can adapt to flat feet, when there is an increase or change in intensity or duration of an activity, pain may result. A flat foot can also trigger the inward rotation of the lower leg bone (the tibia), which causes the knees to point inward. Since the upper leg bone will generally follow this movement along, the leg, hip, and lower back may become affected. It is important to know whether you were born with flat feet or if they are caused by something else. A podiatrist can help you figure this out and if you are in pain, provide suggestions and treatment on what can be done to increase your comfort.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Steven Sheridan from Ankle & Foot Specialty Clinics. Our doctor 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 office located in Sandusky, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating disease where a joint's lining (synovium) is attacked by the body’s immune system. This causes the synovium to become inflamed, which damages the surrounding tissues and ligaments. In time, this may dislocate toe joints and cause deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. Along with toe joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also occur in the ankle joint, the tarsometatarsal joints in the midfoot, and the hindfoot (heel area). While rheumatoid arthritis has no cure, a podiatrist can help treat its symptoms which, if left untreated, may inhibit a person’s ability to lead a normal life. Your podiatrist may prescribe special shoes, braces, and/or create custom orthotics to help restore functionality to the feet and ankles and relieve pain. Icing, gentle exercises, and physical therapy may also help relieve symptoms, as can corticosteroid injections. Make an appointment with a podiatrist today to begin treatment for your painful rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Dr. Steven Sheridan of Ankle & Foot Specialty Clinics. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

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Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Tuesday, 07 June 2022 00:00

Why Does Gout Develop?

Gout is a foot condition that affects the joints in the big toe. It is an extremely painful ailment that develops from excess uric acid levels in the bloodstream. Many patients have such debilitating pain that the weight of a bed sheet is too heavy. Gout may occur due to genetic reasons as well as eating foods that have high amounts of purines. There may also be medical reasons why someone develops gout. These can include having high blood pressure, being overweight, or having chronic kidney disease or diabetes. It often starts attacking the big toe and can spread to other parts of the body, if not treated promptly. An effective prevention method to reduce gout attacks can be a lifestyle change. This includes refraining from eating foods consisting of red meats, shellfish, and drinks that are made with large amounts of sugar. Additionally, it can help to start a gentle exercise program that can strengthen the body. Gout attacks can be properly diagnosed during a flare-up and X-rays may be taken. If you have gout it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage the pain and discuss effective prevention and treatment methods.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Steven Sheridan from Ankle & Foot Specialty Clinics. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

  • Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
  • Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
  • Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
  • Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

  • Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
  • Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
  • Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
  • Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
  • Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
  • Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

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