Items filtered by date: November 2022

As a child grows into a young adult, their parents must take steps to ensure that they are doing all they can to protect the child’s feet. Children can be susceptible to a number of  particular foot afflictions that can negatively impact their health. One foot condition that parents ought to be aware of is known as toe walking. Toe walking, also referred to as idiopathic toe walking, is a condition that occurs when a child continues to walk on their tiptoes beyond the age of 3. Although this might not sound like a problem to some, it should be noted that walking on one’s tiptoes for extended periods of time can lead to tight calves. Additionally, children who engage in toe walking might be restricting the extent to which their ankles can move freely. If your child engages in toe walking, contact a podiatrist today to schedule an appointment.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM of Illinois. 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 offices located in Niles and Rockford, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The foot is an intricate body part with 26 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons. With all that could go wrong with feet, it may be difficult to determine why one has pain on the top or dorsal part of your foot. Symptoms accompanying dorsal foot pain include redness, warmth, or swelling in the forefoot or toes, sensitivity to putting on shoes or socks, and a limited range of motion in the foot and toes. Possible causes of top-of-the-foot pain may be toe stress fractures, gout, peripheral neuropathy, or osteoarthritis. Injuries can happen from a specific event or from excessive repetitive activities. Pain can also result from other health conditions, like gout, osteoarthritis, two different forms of arthritis, or diabetes. Depending on the underlying cause, avoiding irritating activities, resting, and being on top of health issues can help alleviate foot pain. If you have dorsal foot pain that does not go away or worsens, seeing a podiatrist can help get to the root of the problem and provide suggestions for relief.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Paul A. Santangelo, DPM from Illinois. Our doctor 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 Niles and Rockford, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing shoes that fit correctly is crucial in maintaining overall comfort while completing daily activities. Many people will try on several pairs of shoes before finding a perfect fit. It is beneficial to properly measure your feet prior to buying shoes, and this can be done by two different methods. Most shoe stores have a Brannock device, and this is generally effective in determining the correct shoe size. If this is unavailable, the foot can be measured while standing on a piece of paper. When the shoes and socks have been removed and the foot is lying flat on the floor, the foot can be traced. The results of the measurement may be more accurate when the foot is traced by someone else. Research has shown it is beneficial to purchase shoes at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest. Additionally, wearing the socks that would be worn with the intended shoes may help to ensure a proper fit. If you have questions and would like more information about how to find out your shoe size, please confer with a podiatrist.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM from Illinois. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

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

Most experts agree that running can improve your cardiovascular health, increase endurance, and boost mental well being. Experts have identified several ways to reap the rewards of trail running, which may involve uneven and sometimes unpredictable surfaces. The first thing to do is make sure you have footwear that is specifically designed for trail runs. These shoes provide the extra traction and specific cushioning needed as you may encounter rocks, tree roots, and streams. Second, your stride may need to be adjusted, which includes picking up your feet differently. While some road runners try to conserve energy by keeping their feet close to the ground, this can become a liability in trail running. Dirt can build up and actually slow the pace. Dehydration, muscle fatigue, glucose depletion, and inflammation can lead to injury. Fueling and hydrating before, during, and after runs is recommended. For more information on how to prevent injury while running, please consult a podiatrist. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

A fracture that occurs in the bone that is found on the outside of the foot is known as a Jones fracture. It is considered to be a common foot injury, and can gradually happen from excessive repeated motion, or possibly from a sudden injury. It may take longer to heal than other fractures, which may be a result of less blood in this part of the foot. If the break is severe, surgery may be necessary for permanent healing. This is accomplished by placing a screw into the affected bone and staying in place as healing occurs. The screw is helpful in bending and twisting the bones after the healing process is over, and there may be various ways to secure the screw. The recovery time is approximately seven weeks, and it is helpful to keep weight off of the foot for the majority of that time. If you would like more information about how surgery is performed for a Jones fracture, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions and concerns you may have.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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