Items filtered by date: February 2023

Dry skin on the rim of the heels can cause cracked heels to develop. It can happen from standing on hard surfaces for most of the day and can be a result of the weight the feet endure. People who are overweight may have cracked heels, or it may come from wearing shoes that have an open back. Research has shown that vitamin deficiencies such as C, B-3, and E may contribute to getting cracked heels. Also, people who have medical conditions like athlete’s foot and eczema may be prone to getting cracked heels. Severely cracked heels are known as fissures and can become painful and infected. Relief may be found when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by applying a good moisturizer on them. Wearing the proper shoes may help to prevent cracked heels, such as heels with a back or strap. If you have cracked heels, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment sooner rather than later with a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment options.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Inner Loop, Southwest, Greater Heights, and Pearland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There’s an old saying: What price beauty? And when it comes to footwear for women, that is the question. Choosing fashion over foot health is common, but in many cases, a high price is paid. The footwear determined to be likely to cause foot, ankle, or toe pain are high heels, flip-flops, stilettos, shoes with pointy toes, and ballet flats. High heels often have pointy toe boxes and stiletto, or thin, heels. This leaves the wearer open to several problems, including pain in the ball of the feet, instability, and sprained ankles. They can also be responsible for bunion pain, corns, hammertoes, and claw toes. Flip-flops offer little to no support for the feet, causing the feet to work harder with each step and expose the heels to cracks and fissures. Because they contain limited cushioning, flip-flops may even contribute to heel pain from plantar fasciitis. Ballet flats rarely have arch support, offering little to no protection from injury, and can lead to knee, hip, and back problems. To learn more about shoes that can promote good health for your feet, please consult a podiatrist. 

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Inner Loop, Southwest, Greater Heights, and Pearland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A hairline fracture is another name for a stress fracture. It often happens in the foot and generally affects the second metatarsal bone. The majority of stress fractures occur from overuse, and are a common injury among people who frequently participate in running and jumping activities. Some people can have this type of injury from an accident, or if something heavy drops on the foot. The pain can be worse while walking or standing, and treatment starts by resting and elevating the affected foot. Many patients have an X-ray or other imaging test taken, which is an effective method for determining the severity of the fracture. A cast or a walking boot may be prescribed to stabilize the foot as the healing process occurs. People who have flat feet or an abnormal foot structure may be more prone to developing stress fractures, and it is beneficial to wear shoes that fit properly that can protect the feet. Complete healing takes approximately four weeks, and running can be gradually increased as the foot becomes stronger. If you have incurred a stress fracture, please consult a podiatrist who can offer you treatment options that are best for you.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Inner Loop, Southwest, Greater Heights, and Pearland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Sesamoiditis is a foot condition that develops when the sesamoid bones in the balls of the feet become inflamed and irritated. If you cycle a great deal during your exercise routine, you might be putting yourself at risk of developing sesamoiditis. Specifically, the sesamoid bones might rupture if the stress from cycling is too great on the feet. There are several ways in which you might work with a medical professional like a podiatrist to treat this problem. For example, you might treat this problem by simply cycling with more supportive footwear. Alternatively, your podiatrist might even recommend wearing orthotic devices of some kind to mitigate the effects of sesamoiditis during cycling. If you are a cyclist and are experiencing some kind of sesamoiditis, contact a podiatrist today for treatment.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact one of our podiatrists of Houston Foot and Ankle Care. Our doctors will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Inner Loop, Southwest, Greater Heights, and Pearland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.