Items filtered by date: March 2023

The main reason why cracked heels develop is a lack of moisture in the skin. It can happen for various reasons, consisting of standing on hard surfaces for most of the day and wearing shoes with an open back. Medical conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or a thyroid disorder regularly have the symptom of cracked heels. Cracked heels can be unsightly and may develop into a serious foot condition if left untreated. The cracks can deepen and bleed, and these are known as fissures. One of the first signs this condition may be developing is thick skin on the edges of the heels. Temporary relief may be found when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Additionally, a pumice stone can be used to remove a portion of the thickened skin, and it may help to wear appropriate shoes that can provide adequate heel support. If you have developed cracked heels, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer you permanent relief, which may come from prescribed medicine.

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 Mark Isenberg, DPM from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor 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 office located in Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Runners, both professional and recreational, need to take particular care of the health of their feet. If a runner is not taking certain measures, they might be putting themselves at risk of developing a foot injury or condition from running. One of the measures that runners may consider taking is running on even surfaces. When an individual chooses to run on uneven surfaces, the unbalanced surface can create an off-center force in the runner’s feet. As a result, a runner may be more likely to develop certain foot conditions such as tendonitis, joint inflammation or a fracture of the foot. If you are someone that frequently engages in running or similar physical activities, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist. This foot specialist will be able to treat your foot conditions, and answer any questions you may have about running on uneven surfaces. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM of Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Ankles can become swollen for several reasons. Among other things, ankle swelling can occur during pregnancy, from a sprained ankle, or lymphedema. Swelling of a woman’s ankles during pregnancy is normal, however, severe swelling can indicate the onset of preeclampsia. If one sprains their ankle, a ligament is torn or injured and likely causes swelling. Lymphedema occurs when there is a collection of lymph fluid in the tissues due to lymph problems and there is an interference with proper blood flow to the ankle. Repeated swelling of the ankles can lead to instability and even arthritis. If your ankles have been swollen for a long time, or if the swelling worsens, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for an examination and recommended treatment options.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Mark Isenberg, DPM from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Plantar fasciitis is an affliction of the foot that you might already have heard of, even if you are a novice to the field of podiatry. This is because it is one of the most common foot conditions that can cause patients heel pain or pain in the arch of the foot. It is caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which runs along the sole of the foot. There are many different ways that a medical professional like a podiatrist might advise you to go about treating this condition. One technique that a podiatrist might recommend is gently rolling your foot over a foot roller, cold water bottle, or tennis ball. The point of repeatedly rolling the arch of your foot over one of these objects is to stretch and provide relief to the arch of the foot. If you are someone who is living with plantar fasciitis and you are searching for relief, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today for more details.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM  from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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