The foot condition that is known as plantar fasciitis has been known to be similar to policeman’s heel or jogger’s heel. The pain that is associated with this condition is felt in the heel, and can become unbearable while walking or standing. The pain may intensify in the morning after arising. The plantar fascia is found on the bottom of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. It is a shock absorber, and supports the arch in the foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this portion of tissue becomes irritated, and this can happen from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Additionally, it may happen from standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. The risk of developing plantar fasciitis may increase in patients who are overweight, or in people who frequently run. Some people have a tight Achilles tendon, which is the tendon that connects the heel to the calf muscles, and this can lead to plantar fasciitis. There are specific stretches that can be practiced which may help to diminish the pain. If you are afflicted with plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist as quickly as possible so correct treatment can begin. 

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toes are composed of several small bones that are held together by tendons and ligaments. The condition known as hammertoe is considered to be a deformity and can develop from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. The second toe can gradually bend downward and may overlap the third toe. A proper diagnosis consists of an X-ray which is helpful in observing the deformity. Many patients will purchase larger shoes that can accommodate the unusual position of the toes. In mild cases where the toes remain flexible, the tendons may be rebalanced. Sometimes hammertoe is severe and surgery is often required for permanent straightening. The approximate healing time for surgery is four to six weeks and it is advised to elevate the foot as often as possible to help diminish existing swelling. If you have developed hammertoe, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can guide you toward correct treatment options.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which is referred to as RA, is an extremely painful and often debilitating disease that causes inflammation in joints. It can occur in the feet and ankles, often affecting the small interphalangeal joints in the toes first. RA may also develop in the metatarsophalangeal joint in the big toe, as well as the subtalar joint that connects the ankle with the foot. RA can damage other structures in the feet and ankles, and may lead to the formation of nodules in ligaments and tendons. Additionally, corns and calluses may form on the skin. Damage from RA may change the shape of affected joints and cause the toes to become twisted and deformed, as in hammertoes and bunions. RA flares can affect people differently. Symptoms from an RA flare can last for days, weeks, or even months and it may be difficult to walk. Professional care from a podiatrist can help ease symptoms, improve mobility, and help to lessen future damage to affected joints.

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 one of our podiatrists of Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors 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 offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Anyone who experiences pain in the ball of the foot, knows how it can affect the quality of life. This condition, known as metatarsalgia, is often the result of too much running, calluses under the midfoot, or a bunion or other malformation that throws off the gait. These can result in increased pressure on the metatarsals (the long bones of the foot that connect the toe and ankle bones). They become bruised and sore. One way to help ease the pain is bathe your foot in epsom salts and warm water for ten to twelve minutes. Another is to ice the area, being sure to cover the foot before applying an ice pack. Other self-help methods are to treat yourself to a foot massage and embark on a regime of simple foot exercises. One very important way to reduce metatarsal pain is to stop doing things that contribute to it or make it worse. Give up the high-heeled and pointy-toed shoes, because they not only force more pressure onto the ball of the foot, but also can cause a number of other foot maladies, such as bunions, hammertoes, corns or calluses, to develop. If the pain in the ball of your foot continues, or worsens, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can diagnose the specific problem and inform you of further treatment options. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. 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 Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Some children are born with a condition known as metatarsus adductus, which is a turning inward of the feet. The inside of the foot appears caved in and the outside more rounded. While it may be alarming to look at, this condition generally diminishes in a few years. Although no cause has been determined for metatarsus adductus, some experts believe it to be a result of the fetus being tightly packed inside the uterus before birth. The metatarsus is a collection of bones in the midfoot, known as the five metatarsals. These bones connect the toes to the heel. A podiatrist can properly examine your baby’s feet and determine which form of metatarsus is present. In flexible metatarsus, the foot can be straightened manually, and some stretching exercises may help. The condition may continue until the child is between 1 and 2 years old. In non-flexible metatarsus, the foot stays in a curved position. In this case, fittings for braces and special shoes may be required. In rare cases, surgery to reposition the foot may be suggested. A podiatrist can monitor your child’s case and prescribe appropriate treatment. 

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors 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 offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.