PEDIATRIC FOOT PROBLEMS

Small feet are just as prone to having big foot problems as adult feet. It’s important that you recognize the signs of pediatric foot problems and bring your child to the foot doctor if they are showing those signs. When child foot pain is treated promptly, your son or daughter is less likely to experience foot problems later in life.

Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Foot Problems

Children can develop a wide variety of foot conditions, including:

• - In-toeing or out-toeing
• - Curved feet
• - Toe walking
• - Flat feet
• - Ingrown toenails
• - Athlete’s foot
• - Leg cramps
• - Heel pain
• - Plantar warts
• - Bunions
• - Inflamed growth plates in the bones

Sometimes these kinds of problems will go undetected until playing a sport or exercising triggers the pain. Your child could have been born with a foot problem. Conditions such as flat feet are typically genetic.

Some parents are quick to label child foot pain as growing pains. But if your child is regularly complaining of a foot problem, they probably have a more serious issue. Take the problem seriously.

The Serious Nature of Child Foot Pain

Growing pains are really a myth. Your child’s natural growing process shouldn’t be painful. As a parent, you might be used to giving your child a bandage and telling them to shake off their scrapes or cuts. But foot injuries and pains are not the type of injury your child should simply be moving on from.

Your child won’t simply grow out of their foot problems. In most cases, they will need professional medical care to prevent a more serious foot problem in their adulthood.

The Modern Foot & Ankle staff will always treat your child with the compassionate care they need. We understand how frightening going to the doctor can be—for both the child and their anxious parent! We’ll make the process easier and give you the peace of mind you need. We’ll walk you through all the treatment options and answer your questions in an easy-to-understand way.

Treating Your Child’s Foot Problem

Sometimes trying to figure out what’s wrong with your child’s feet can be difficult, especially if you have a young child with limited communication skills. When your child comes into our center, we’ll conduct a simple physical exam. Some foot problems may require us to take x-rays. We’ll get to the problem of your child’s foot problems!

The type of treatment your child needs will completely depend on their foot problem. Sometimes your child may simply need a pair of custom orthotic shoes. Even adjusting their posture could help with some foot problems!

Get Pediatric Foot Treatment from Modern Foot & Ankle Centers

The key to all pediatric foot problems is early detection. Get your child into a podiatrist right away if you suspect something is wrong. Luckily, children heal quickly with the right care. Call Modern Foot & Ankle Centers to get your child the help they need! We’ll help your child live an active, pain-free life again.

ACHILLES TENDON PAIN

The Achilles tendon is the longest tendon in your body! It connects the bottom portion of your calf to your heel bone. It’s the reason you can lift your heel off the ground. The most common problems that people have with their Achilles tendon are Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis. Both can lead to some serious foot pain and other problems.

Achilles Tendonitis vs. Achilles Tendinosis

With Achilles tendonitis, your tendon will become inflamed and start swelling. The tendon will also become tighter. Usually, it won’t last very long. But with time, Achilles tendonitis can progress to Achilles tendinosis, which is the degeneration of the tendon. The tendon will then have tears that aren’t visible to the naked eye but can be seen on the microscopic level.

At this point, the tendon no longer has the healthy structure of a normal tendon. If you have a severe case of degeneration, your Achilles tendon could rupture.

What Causes Achilles Tendon Pain?

There are a variety of things could lead to you experiencing pain in your Achilles tendon. Some of the most common problems include:

• - Wearing high heels frequently
• - Failing to stretch before physical activity
• - Suddenly increasing intensity in your exercise regime
• - Having flat feet, overpronation, or fallen arches

If you’re an athlete or you work on your feet a lot, you’re at an increased risk of developing a problem with this tendon. This is especially true if your sport or work involves a repetitive activity that puts a lot of stress on your ankles and feet. You may feel a lot more pain in your Achilles tendon if you wear shoes that lack the appropriate support.

Identifying Achilles Tendon Problems

Pain or tenderness in the back of your ankle above the heel could be a sign you have a problem with your Achilles tendon. You’ll feel more pain when you squeeze the sides of the tendon. If you can’t flex or point your toes, it could be because of a problem with your Achilles tendon. Stiffness or swelling are also signs you’ve damaged the tendon. If you know the moment you injured your foot and you heard a popping noise, it could be because you’ve strained your tendon.

If the injury is minor enough, it may heal on its own as long as you avoid physical activity and keep your foot elevated often. Icing the injury and taking anti-inflammatory medication also helps with the healing process. There are certain stretches you can do that will help your Achilles tendon.

However, these won’t always be enough to fix the problem. In some cases, the problem with the Achilles tendon is serious enough to require surgery. Like with a lot of other foot problems, if you don’t treat your Achilles tendon right away, there’s a good chance it will worsen over time.

Set Up an Appointment for Your Achilles Tendon Pain

Don’t continue suffering from any kind of foot pain. Contact the staff at Modern Foot & Ankle Centers to get treatment for your Achilles tendon pain. We’d be happy to set up an appointment for you. We offer compassionate, expert podiatry care. We’re the clear choice for all your foot problems in Gilbert and Chandler, Arizona!

ANKLE SPRAINS

Ankle sprains are one of the most common foot injuries, especially in sports. If more than one of the ligaments in your ankle has been injured, it’s been sprained. These kinds of injuries commonly occur during physical activity. But they also happen if you’ve fallen down the stairs or even worn the wrong shoes.

Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle

There are actually two main types of sprained ankles: low ankle sprains and high ankle sprains. Low ankle sprains are typically more minor. They happen when you twist your ankle further than you should naturally be able to.

With a high ankle sprain, your foot is pushed out of its normal rotating abilities after being met by a great force. High ankle sprains commonly happen during sports. It makes sense that because of the force component with this type of injury, there’s a lengthier healing process involved.

Some of the common signs that you’ve sprained your ankle include:

• - Swelling
• - Bruising
• - Pain
• - Trouble walking
• - Stiffness in your joints

Sometimes your ankle won’t be swollen or bruised. But if you’re having trouble walking, you’ve probably suffered a sprain. When you fail to get the treatment that you need, you’re only setting yourself up for ankle trouble down the road. Even a minor sprain that’s left untreated could lead to chronic ankle problems for the rest of your life.

The Seriousness of Spraining an Ankle

Some people make the mistake of thinking that spraining an ankle isn’t very serious since no bones are broken. But sprains always require a trip to an expert podiatrist. Just walking through the pain shouldn’t be an option.

Sprained ankles are more than just an inconvenience. If you don’t deal with them right away, they could lead to even more problems for your feet.

Caring for a Sprained Ankle

If you’re unable to get an appointment with a podiatrist right away, remember to follow the R.I.C.E. method to care for your ankle. This includes:

• - Resting
• - Icing your ankle
• - Compressing the ankle (such as by wrapping it in a bandage)
• - Elevating your ankle

This will help reduce swelling and prevent you from making the sprain worse. If the sprain is minor enough, it’s possible it will heal on its own. But it’s always good to be safe rather than sorry and go to a podiatrist.

When you come to Modern Foot & Ankle with a sprain, Dr. Laurino or Dr. Freetone will evaluate your injury and may prescribe medication that will reduce the inflammation. We will always recommend resting and keeping your ankle elevated. You may need to use crutches for a little while to prevent the injury from getting worse. Sometimes you may also need a medical brace to help with the ligament damage. If your injury is severe, there is a chance you will need surgery.

Get the Right Treatment for Ankle Sprains by Visiting Modern Foot & Ankle Centers

Don’t let a sprained ankle get you down for long. Call Modern Foot & Ankle Centers. We’ll get you back on your feet in no time!

BUNIONS

Bunions: a lot of people have heard of them, but few people understand what they actually are. If you have normal, healthy feet, your big toe should point straight ahead. But if you have a bunion, the big toe will start to angle more toward your second toe. Eventually, a bump will show up.

What Are Bunions?

A bunion is a lot worse than just a bump on your toe. It’s actually a bone deformity. The bump is simply revealing that a bone structure in your foot has changed. Whenever anything is wrong with your bones, that’s a big problem. When you start to see a bump, that means the deformity has been going on for quite some time.

Bunions themselves aren’t passed down from one generation to the next. However, oddly-shaped feet tend to run in the family, and bunions may form because of certain unique foot structures. If you know your family tends to get bunions, you might consider wearing orthotics to help prevent these deformities.

Women tend to get more bunions than men. This could be because women tend to wear shoes that crowd their toes, which makes bunions progress at a faster rate. If you spend a lot of time on your feet for work or any other reason, this will aggravate the bunion.

Spotting the Signs of a Bunion

Symptoms usually appear after your bunion has been around for a while. However, some people who have bunions will never experience symptoms. You may see sores between your toes or calluses on your big toe if you have a bunion. These deformities can also turn your toe red or decrease your big toe’s ability to move.

It’s not just your toe that’s affected by a bunion. The front part of your foot and the ball of your foot may become more sensitive if you’ve developed this deformity. In some cases, your foot may feel numb and you could have trouble walking. It may even feel like your toe is burning.

Treating a Bunion

When you come to Modern Foot & Ankle, we’ll take x-rays of your foot so we carefully assess the damage. A big part of treating a bunion is simply helping with pain management. The shoes you wear play a big role in the pain, which is why we prescribe that you start wearing orthotics. We may also recommend that you wear special padding and/or decrease physical activity. However, we may give you some special exercises that will help you keep mobility in your foot.

If your bunions are so bad that they are limiting your ability to perform even simple daily tasks, you may need surgery. This involves correcting the problem with your bone structure as well as removing the bone itself. Sometimes you may need plates or screws to aid in recovery.

Schedule Your Bunion Treatment Appointment

No matter what stage your bunion is at, it’s important that you get the help of a podiatrist to make sure your bunions don’t get in the way of your everyday life. And if you’re in the Chandler or Gilbert area in Arizona, there’s no better choice than Modern Foot & Ankle Centers! Call today to schedule your appointment!

INGROWN TOENAILS

Ingrown toenails may not sound like a big deal, but if left untreated, they can become a serious problem. Act fast when you spot an ingrown nail! Otherwise, it may get infected and lead to more serious problems.

What Causes Ingrown Nails (And How to Prevent Them)

Improper toenail trimming is the biggest cause of ingrown nails. If you cut the nails too short and rounded, the edge of the nail might start growing into your skin. If you wear tight shoes, the problem can become even more obvious.

Genetic factors seem to play a role in ingrown toenails because certain feet shapes put you at greater risk of getting them. They most frequently occur in the big toe.

If your toe is feeling sore tender, it could be because of an ingrown nail. Sometimes they are painful. If you ignore these signs for too long, you may develop an infection. Even a simple toe injury like stubbing your toe can cause an ingrown nail.

Treatment for Ingrown Nails

If you get your ingrown nail treated promptly, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. But the longer you wait to get treatment, the more serious it will become. You could end up with a bone infection or even blood toxicity.

The risks of these issues go up if you have toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, or diabetes. Diabetes makes ingrown toenails more serious because you lack ideal blood circulation and peripheral neuropathy. If you have diabetes, you should check for ingrown toenails regularly and make an appointment if you see any sign of a problem.

Some people find relief from ingrown nails using home remedies. If you caught it early, you can try soaking your foot in warm water several times a day. After soaking your foot, dry it and bandage it with some antibiotic ointment. Wearing looser fitting shoes will also help. If you’re still experiencing symptoms after two days, it’s time to take your problem to a podiatrist, such as Modern Foot & Ankle Centers in Gilbert, Arizona.

You should never try to remove the nail on your own. This could make the problem even more serious and cause an infection. If you’re at higher risk for a serious infection—such as if you have diabetes—don’t attempt at-home treatment. Get professional care right away. If you see a lot of redness or drainage, you should also visit a podiatrist right away.

Turn to a Podiatrist in Gilbert, Arizona

As soon as you know you have ingrown toenails, take action! Call Modern Foot & Ankle Centers today to set up your appointment. We’ll provide you with prompt care and make you feel comfortable the entire time.

HEEL PAIN/PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Unfortunately, heel pain is a common foot problem. If you’re an athlete or you’re someone who works on their feet all day, this type of pain can severely impact your quality of life. A lot of people write off any kind of foot pain as a normal pain of life. But it’s not something you should have to put up with. When your heels are hurting, see a podiatrist ASAP!

Understanding Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis

If you wait too long to get treatment, the pain in your heel will only keep escalating. Eventually, it could lead to severe, difficult-to-treat foot problems.

Your foot pain may be stemming from plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is the fibrous tissue on the bottom of your foot. It connects your heel bone to your toe. When this tissue is painfully inflamed, you have plantar fasciitis. It’s common for people with this condition to feel an intense stabbing pain right after they’ve woken up.

Runners are at the highest risk of getting plantar fasciitis. If you’re obese or between ages 40 and 60, you’re also more likely to get the condition.

Some people think they can avoid dealing with heel pain by simply changing the way they walk. However, this can lead to other problems, such as pain in your knees, hips, or even back. Don’t try to adjust to life with chronic foot pain of any kind. Act by visiting our podiatrist office in Chandler, Arizona.

How We Treat Pain in the Heel or Plantar Fascia

Getting your heel pain diagnosed usually consists of just a physical exam. Dr. Laurino or Dr. Freetone will check on what areas of your foot are experiencing pain or tenderness and make a diagnosis based on that. In some cases, you may need an X-ray or MRI just to make sure you don’t have a stress fracture.

Today, there are many treatment options for chronic foot pain that doesn’t involve surgery. By resting and icing your foot frequently, you may experience pain relief. Physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and pain medication can also help you.

Sometimes the shoes you wear aren’t doing your feet any favors. In these cases, we’ll recommend custom orthotics. These shoes will provide the cushioning and support you need to get through your day without pain in your heel.

A lot of people with plantar fasciitis experience pain relief through night splints. These devices stretch your calf and arch while you sleep.

Another method that works for some people is laser therapy. This treatment works by triggering your body’s natural ability to repair itself. It will also cause more nutrient-rich blood to flow to the injured area.

Get Your Feet Checked by The Pros!

With the help of Modern Foot & Ankle Centers, you can get back to living a normal, active life free of pain in your heel or plantar fascia. We’ll find a custom treatment that fits your lifestyle. Call to schedule your appointment today!