All About Feet Library

This is a library of every article written by a FAANT doctor or staff in the last few years. The collection is quite extensive and there are some overlapping articels, but basically this is everything you ever wanted to know about your feet and ankles! Throw in some running and triathlon advice mixed in with all about shoes and socks; and you have a FAANT lasagna of artilces. Enjoy!

PS. If you want more content, send us an email and we will blog or write about it.

Library Categories:

• Sports Medicine
• Diabetic Limb Salvage
• Children's Foot Problems
• Foot & Ankle Surgery
• Trauma
• Skin and Nail Problems
• Foot Pain and Deformities
• Nerve-Related Foot Problems
• Healty Steps Shoe Store & Spa
• Business Team
• Patient Forms
• General

---

Sports Medicine:

• Sarcopenia, the Progressive Loss of Muscle Mass Due to Aging, is Preventable and Reversible!   
  Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass due to aging, is preventable and reversible with simple life-style changes.
• EPAT is a new technology available for chronic heel pain   
  Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) is a new technology for chronic heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and plantar fasciosis.
• Anterior Tibial Tendonitis: Front of My Ankle Pain   
  Anterior Tibial tendonitis is pain along the front of the ankle that travels down towards the top of the arch is often attributed to inflammation of the the anterior tibial tendon. This tendon’s main function is to help stabilize and pull your foot up off the ground when you walk. It is often easily seen if you pull your foot up towards your ankle then turn it towards your other foot.
• Got Tendonitis?   
  Tendonitis can be annoying and linger if not treated early. It can progress from a mere swelling to a full tear of the tendon which often requires surgery. Don’t let tendonitis keep you from doing what you want, come see us!
• Achilles Tendonitis and Tendonosis   
  Tendonitis results from overuse. Long-standing tendonitis becomes tendonosis (degeneration of the tendon) which is much harder to treat. With chronic, long term, sustained use, this tendon becomes strained. It also can become just as strained with whom we fondly refer to as the “weekend warriors”. Chronic Achilles tendonitis (tendonosis) results in degeneration and breakdown within the tendon and this, in turn, can lead to a partial tear or full rupture. Now that will put you out for more than a couple months! If you are experiencing a nagging pain or swelling to the Achilles tendon or the back of the heel, call or contact the office to have it evaluated. It is that simple.
• Running Shoe Recommendation List [PDF]   
  Runing shoe recommendation list by category. Help us help you pick the best running shoes for you. Choose your category, then brand, then shoe. Ask your podiatrist which shoe is right for you!
• Walking Program to Kick Start New Year's Resolution   
  Many of our patients, much like their estimated 75 million obese neighbors, are stuck in a never-ending, life-threatening cycle: Obesity aggravates the pain in their feet; sore feet make it almost impossible to exercise for weight loss; and without exercise, their weight continues to increase which puts them at risk for worsening of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and other life threatening diseases.
• Running Really Does Lengthen Your Life!   
  A 20-year study has shown that running has profound health benefits, cutting the rate of early death by more than half. Researchers found that running slowed cardiovascular disease, cancer deaths, cognitive decline, and poor immunity. The runners experienced no more wear and tear to their joints than non-runners.
• Are You Wearing the Correct Shoe When Exercising?   
  Commonly I find myself having the same conversation with my patients and even my friends and family. We will be talking about exercising, or maybe sports that we play and someone will complain of their foot hurting. It might be arch pain, ball of foot pain, toe pain, tightness, or even just tired feet.
• Baby It's Cold Outside!   
  Yep – winter is upon most of the nation just in time for the holidays! Being in Texas, we tend to adjust for a day in the 20’s and back to 70 degrees the very next day. Just this morning, I elected(note the word elected) to run outside. The temperature was 19 degrees with a wind chill of four degrees. Taking deep breaths of air and smiling, I soon noticed I was the only person in my neighborhood that was outside.
• Marathoners and Their Feet   
  I am one of them and perhaps you are as well. Whether you have completed one or 100 marathons, it’s the one thing no one can ever take away from you – the title of a Marathoner. Marathoners know the work, dedication, sweat and sometimes blood spared in order to meet the challenge of completing a 26.2 mile race.
• Common Running Pains & Injuries   
  Even with the best preparation, aches and pains are an inevitable result of a new jogging regimen. If the pain subsides with slow easy exercise, you may continue, but if it gets worse, stop the activity and rest. If it persists, see your podiatrist.
• The Nike Free Running Shoe   
  Nike has developed a line of shoes called the Nike Free that has become very popular among long distance runners, track and field athletes, and football and basketball players. Nike Free is unique because it has a special design incorporating new technology that simulates barefoot running mechanics while still wearing shoes.
• Should You Change The Way You Run For Greater Speed?   
  In one study quoted all over the internet, it was found that long-distance runners were faster if they used forefoot or midfoot strike patterns. People were encouraged to speed up their running by changing the pattern of running. Newer studies have made these findings less clear...
• Dancing With The Stars: Another Foot Injury?   
  What doe this have to do with running? A lot, if the training before a race or before a dance performance is not done properly.
• Stress Fractures In Runners   
  A stress fracture is a small incomplete crack in a bone that is due to repeated stress in an area in the body. 95% of stress fractures develop in the lower extremity and account for 10% of all running injuries. Stress fractures are a common injury in runners because of the repeated motion that runners go through over thousands of steps.
• How Do I Begin to Train For My First Marathon?   
  Running a marathon requires both physical and mental strength, focus, commitment, and time. If you do take this step and make the commitment, you will find that completing a marathon could be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life.
• Sports Injuries   
  Sports injuries are not fun. Here are some common warning signs that you dont want to ignore.
• Here Comes Summer... Runners Beware   
  As the Houston summer quickly approaches, so do those long summer days with the scorching hot sun and humid conditions. If you are a runner this means that you are going to have to prepare yourself to bear the heat if you want to keep up the pace during the summer months. One of the most important aspects of running, no matter what time of year it is, is staying hydrated.
• Running Uphill Correctly   
  I was talking on Sunday with a runner who is training for the Wasatch Back Relay and has been running without difficulty for months. Recently she has been runnning hills and is trying a new hill running technique taught at the local Rec Center and has started having leg pain (shin splints). To help others avoid overuse injury while running hills, I will give my recommendations.
• Don't Forget Your Stretches Before You Run!!!   
  As podiatrists, we treat all types of foot and ankle injuries, but we also want to PREVENT foot and ankle injuries...so we encourage our patients (and friends and family) to always remember to do their stretching before running and exercising.
• My 4 Keys to Marathon Recovery   
  After my recent marathon, I had near complete resolution of my muscle pain and weakness after just 48 hours. Since many runners are seaking keys to quicker recovery, I felt it was benefitial to list my current recovery regimen.
• Treadmill Running...Just Slow Down!   
  I was reviewing the post about Madonna falling off of her treadmill and started thinking of the multitude of injuries I see due to the perceived safety of a treadmill. True, the surface of a treadmill does absorb shock, but there is a major natural pitfall with using a treadmill.
• Top 3 Preperations For A Run   
  As you prepare to run any distance, how you prepare is important. Of all the preparations you make, there are 3 top preparations that should be undergone.
• It's Just a Step to the Left...   
  No, this isn't doing the "Time Warp!" I'm more interested in my runners who come in complaining about foot, ankle, shin, knee, or hip pain ON ONE SIDE. Here in Houston, TX we have major drainage issues, so all of our streets are banked.
• Running Stores Know Runners   
  I had an opportunity to sit down with the store manager and shoe manager of Luke's, a specialty running store here in Houston. The partnership between a good running store and their clients is a vital one. They're the ones that stay on top of the new shoe styles, monitor changes and "upgrades" and can best identify when a shoe is not appropriate for a particular runner.
• Foot Pain Ruining Your Golf Swing?   
  The barrier to a perfect golf swing could lie in your big toe. Or your heel. Or on the ball of your foot. The physicians at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas in Grapevine, TX, say these are the three areas of your feet most likely to cause pain that can ruin your golf swing.
• Barefoot Running Good or Bad For You?   
  Barefoot running has become a growing trend. It has gained a lot of popularity due to the publication of the book "Born to Run". This books talks about the story of the Mexico-based Indians who for centuries have been running without shoes at distances sometimes greater than the distance of a marathon
• Is Yoga Bad For My Feet?   
  I have always been curious about yoga. I have tried every possible form of exercise in my quest to find the perfect one for me (alas, I am still searching; aren’t we all?). The one form that I avoided was yoga. My mother was the one who finally convinced me to give it a try. She swore it to be the perfect form of exercise and swore it was relaxing at the same time! An oxymoron, I know!!
• Are You Coughing? Got a Runny Nose? You Are Not Alone   
  A recent survey of 30 different studies of runners and decreased immune function that may lead to increased upper respiratory infections revealed little agreement from the experts. Yes, they all agree that moderate activity may enhance immune function, but they describe this as brisk walking for 30 to 45 minutes a day. What runner does that little activity? Most studies also agreed that high-intensity exercise temporarily impairs the immune competence. Hence the increased incidence of upper respiratory infections in marathon runner and especially ultra-marathon runners.
• Casting Better For Ankle Sprains   
  Alert the Media! A below knee cast was seen to provide better and faster results than a removable walking cast or ace bandage in severe ankle sprains! Duh! You can't take off a cast and it forces you to be compliant. Most of our patients want to be compliant but life gets in the way. Ten days in a cast rapidly improves short term outcomes......what will they report next? That physical therapy imporves long-term outcomes? Who funds these studies? Can I get some of their money to prove common sense? Just kidding......
• Cold Weather Running Tips   
  In Texas, the saying goes that if you don’t like the weather; wait 5 minutes, it will change. This week alone it’s been 70 degrees and 24 degrees. No wonder the whole world is sniffling. Personally, I hate the cold. I’m a tiny person so I’m very cold intolerant. My bike goes inside on the trainer when the weather hits 40 degrees and I look like an Eskimo running. How do we keep motivated during the winter? Things seem to change for me when it’s cold outside.
• Extracorporal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)   
  Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a procedure used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome/insertional Achilles tendonitis). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body," and refers to this non-invasive surgical procedure in which strong sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain.
• Ankle Sprains   
  What causes an ankle sprain? These often occur from a fall, sudden twist or blow that forces the ankle at an abnormal angle. If the bone doesn’t break, the ligaments either stretch or tear causing an ankle sprain. The severity and long-term outcomes form an ankle sprain depend on whether the ligaments stretched, partially tore or are completely torn.
• Peroneal Tendon Injuries   
  Peroneal tendon injuries often occur with ankle sprains and are commonly overlooked until your ankle pain becomes chronic. The peroneal tendons stabilize the outside of your foot and ankle and allow you to turn your foot outward.
• What is in Your Sock Drawer?   
  I get asked everyday about the types of running shoes people should buy, but what about socks? Why do we ignore a very basic part of our running gear? New technology has invaded our home, offices and gym bag. It’s changed the way we correspond, drive our cars, listen to music, cushion our running shoes and yes….even our socks have taken a technology based transformation.
• Running Injuries are Not Inevitable   
  Runners and injuries seem to go together like kids and dirt; you rarely have one without the other. In a recent survey, over 90% of runners reported missing a workout due to an injury within the last year. While injuries can result from traumatic events like tripping and falling, most running injuries are due to overuse.
• Walking is a Great Way to Start Running!   
  So you don't think that running is a realistic goals for you? A marathon might as well be a trip to Mars? Walking is a great start to a running program!
• Race Day Cramping Slowing Your Times?   
  Question is, why do cramps happen and how can you prevent them? They have never occurred during his extensive training, so why in the middle of a race? Muscle cramping usually occurs due to a depletion of "The Big 4": sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
• You Know You Are a Runner When...   
  I hope after reading this book you feel like part of our running communities. It never ceases to amaze me how I can travel to another part of the country or the world and instantly make new friends with other runners. We share the same experiences, goals and crazy traits across age, sex, and abilities. Runners are a world community.
• Ice, Heat or Beer? That is the Question...   
  Seriously, I crawl over the finish line and the first thing I want is a beer (or twenty)! I think that beer is a great adjunctive therapy for injury rehabilitation. All right, all funny aside, how about the ice versus heat question?
• RunDoc at DFW Sports Medicine Symposium   
  This morning I spoke at the DFW Sports Medicine Symposium in Arlington, TX. What a great crowd! Over 300 physical therapists, athletic trainers and sports medicine physicians from all over Texas gathered to discuss advances in the medicine of sports.
• To Much To Soon = Shin Splints   
  The last few week, lots of patients have been coming into my office in Grapevine, TX saying, “My shins are killing me after running". This is a common complaint of new runners or runners increasing their mileage or intensity. It has been estimated that "shin splints" account for approximately 15% of all running injuries and may account for up to 60% of leg pain in runners.
• Running With Arthritis   
  The name of the game is accommodation. You will need a great pair of orthotics made by a podiatrist that knows what they are doing and specializes in biomechanics. They can fabricate a device that will transfer the stress from the arthritic area to a strong, healthier part of your foot. That coupled with physical therapy, core strengthening exercises and a good pair of running shoes will get you back on the road! Run Happy! And pain free!
• Heel Pain Slowing Your Runs?   
  Why is it that so many runners still suffer from heel pain on a regular basis? Shoe technology has advanced remarkably in the last 20 years, but it seems like the incidence of chronic plantar fasciitis has not subsided at all! Why is this?
• Got Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness?   
  It's the day after the marathon. You get out of bed feeling like you should have gotten the license plate of the truck that just ran over you. You find you can walk small steps but notice you can go upstairs but downstairs is nearly impossible.Does this sound familiar? I think every runner who races has felt this pain I'm describing at one time or another. It could be after a marathon, a PR in the 5K or just an extra hard track workout. Why is this? What did you do wrong? How could you have done differently so this post-race soreness wasn't so acute? Or is this the price you pay for a fast time? Let's explore delayed onset muscle soreness.
• Winter Court Sports Can Equal Foot and Ankle Pain!   
  It is that time of year again when we take our games indoors to avoid the cold. With the pounding and movements that feet, ankles and the Achilles and other tendons around the ankle endure, court sports such as basketball, racquetball and tennis present unique problems for athletes, whether they're a professional athleteor weekend warriors. But preparation and common sense go a long way toward prevention.
• Goal Setting Motivates Your Training Success   
  A very smart person once said that a goal not written down is just a mere wish. I passionately believe this is true and have proven the power behind written goals in many aspects of my personal and professional life.
• Surviving Injuries With A Twist!   
  Let's face it....there will be a day when all of us get injured. Just like the fact that there are two kinds of cyclists: those who have fallen and those that will fall! In a recent survey 90% of runners revealed some kind of injury in the last 12 months that resulted in the loss of more than one day of training. Some of us are just more hardy than others. There are also runners who tend to be injury prone. Those frustrated souls who seem to be in my office or with my physical therapist on a regular basis who often follow the letter of the training programs and still seem to get hurt.
• Does Every Runner Need Foot Orthotics?   
  The foot is a very complex structure which when functioning optimally supports and balances the weight of the entire body. Walking alone puts up to 1.5 times one's body weight on the foot. Running has been seen to put 3 times your body weight through every inch of your foot. Foot-related problems are often treated very successfully with functional orthotic shoe inserts.

View All

Diabetic Limb Salvage:

• Type 2 Diabetics Need To Exercise! New Guidelines   
  The physicians at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas encourage our diabetics to exercise and can help you reach your goals with better shoe gear, functional foot orthotics and even physical therapy to get you on the road to better diabetes control! Do not use foot pain as an excuse not to exercise, contact us and get started today!
• Dark Callus in a Diabetic Patient Leads to Amputation   
  I was consulted on a diabetic patient in the hospital last week who was admitted because of a foot infection. They did not know how or why the foot infection came about, only that there was a dark callus on the bottom of their foot for at least a month. They didn’t think anything of it until the foot became red and swollen, then within 24 hours there was significant drainage from the callus, redness that streaked up the leg, fever and flu-like symptoms. They also noticed their sugars running very high.
• Summer is Approaching...Diabetics Check Your Feet   
  Summer time is almost here. The weather is becoming nicer and all I can think about is ditching my boots and closed toe shoes and putting on my sandals. Are my feet ready. Have I been taking care of them all winter long? Are they dry or possibly cracked?
• Nutrition May Be Time Key to Limiting Complications...   
  Diabetic complications are becoming more well known. In fact, many people are advocating aggressive control of diabetes to control the diabetic complications. Some nutrition changes may further help limit these complications also.
• So What Exactly is a Diabetic Ulcer and Why is it so Bad?   
  Those with diabetes and their friends and family members have at one point and time heard the term "diabetic ulcer". And it is usually followed by "that’s why their foot was amputated". So what is a diabetic ulcer?
• Save A Leg, Save A Life   
  One of the many complications associated with diabetes is the presence of diabetic foot ulcers. These ulcers are open wounds that are slow to heal, and affect roughly fifteen percent of all diabetic patients. Often the wound is explained by a loss of sensation in the foot, and the patient can not feel that there is an open sore on the bottom of their foot, and may not see it, either.
• How Should A Diabetic Foot Ulcer Be Treated?   
  The primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to obtain healing as soon as possible. The faster the healing, the less chance for an infection. There are several key factors in the appropriate treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer.
• Diabetes and Foot Surgery   
  One remark I hear frequently from my diabetic patients is that they have the belief that since they are diabetic, they cannot and should not have foot surgery. Is this true?
• Obtaining Proper Shoes Through Medicare   
  Over the years, I have found that unfortunately, one of the best kept secrets among patients with diabetes is the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program. People with diabetes are instructed that they need to make sure they wear proper shoes. This is a program that makes this possible!
• Have Diabetes? No Bare Feet On The Beach!   
  People with diabetes are hammered with things they shouldn't do. Always high on the list is not to go barefoot. We always tend to over-analyze such recommendations, often to our own detriment.
• Diabetics are Losing Feeling in Their Feet! Why?   
  According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics
• Your 4 Keys To Reducing Your Diabetic Complications   
  People often worry about the complications that come with diabetes. Here are 4 keys to helping reduce your complication risks.
• So I'm Diabetic, Why Do I Need To See A Podiatris...   
  I think it is a wonderful thing when I see a diabetic for their first foot check. Most diabetics are oblivious to the fact that every diabetic should be seen once a year for a check up by a podiatrist. It is surprising that so many diabetics have been diabetic for years and never been to a podiatrist. So many times they tell me they have burning pain and tingling in their feet.
• Finding The Right Shoe For Diabetic Feet   
  When looking for diabetic shoes, here are a few tips in finding the right diabetic shoe for you! Read all about them in this article.
• Charcot Foot (Charcot Neuroarthropathy)   
  Funny name, but a serious limb threatening condition. Charcot (pronounced shar-ko) foot is a complete collapse of the bones in the foot or ankle that occurs from neuropathy. Neuropathy is severe nerve damage that can be caused from numerous conditions, most commonly diabetes. With neuropathy, there is a complete loss of sensation in the foot and ankle which allows the bones to become soft.
• Diabetic Foot Care Tips   
  The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that’s hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. The most common causes of these foot infections are improperly cut toenails and poorly fitting shoes. Yes, something as simple as a visit to the podiatrist to have your toenails cut and shoes custom fitted can avoid many amputations
• Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention   
  Diabetes is nasty to your feet! People with diabetes are prone to foot problems due to peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. In English, diabetes can cause you to have poor circulation and be unable to feel you feet. These problems together spell disaster.
• How Do I Know If I Have Poor Circulation?   
  How does a diabetic know if they have poor circulation in their feet? There is an increased incidence of peripheral arterial disease in diabetics. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is narrowing or blockage of arteries that results in poor blood flow to your legs. When you walk or exercise, your leg muscles do not get enough blood and you can get painful cramps. Peripheral arterial disease is also called peripheral vascular disease or simply poor circulation.Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs mean you are at risk for having a heart attack or stroke.
• Simple Tips to Preserve Diabetic Foot Health   
  The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that's hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. Here are some simple tips to preserve diabetic foot health.
• What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?   
  So what exactly is a Diabetic ulcer and why is it so bad? Those with diabetes and their friends and family members have at one point and time heard the term “diabetic ulcer”. And it is usually followed by “that’s why their foot was amputated”. So what is a diabetic ulcer?

View All

Children's Foot Problems:

• The Top 9 Questions Parents Have About Kid's Sports Injuries   
  The Top 9 Questions Parents Have About Kid's Sports Injuries answers the most common questions we hear from the parents of our patients in our North Texas office. Lots of parents have similar questions about their children's sports injuries. Most questions are centered on how they can prevent injuries and secondarily, what to do if their child gets hurt. Here are the top nine frequently asked questions and some simple answers.
• "Mom, My Heels Hurt!"   
  It is that time of year again. Returning to school and those extra curricular activities. Kids are excited about sports and band practice, but this sudden increase in activity can cause them to have heel pain. Pediatric heel pain is nothing to ignore. It is not your typical adult heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis and will not go away with advil alone. It can be excruciating for some children to the point they cannot walk. So what is it really and why does it happen?
• Heel Pain in Children On The Rise!   
  Indoors and outdoors, child athletes stay active year round in competitive sports, and for many of them heel pain occurs as often as missed free throws. Local podiatric surgeons warn that when a child complains of heel pain, it should be treated right away and might be a warning sign of acute bursitis, stress fractures or other serious foot problems.
• Juvenile Bunion Deformity   
  When we think of bunions, we think of our grandmothers with the worst feet we’ve ever seen. This may be passed down to the next generation, but few realize that bunions can occur in children. This is called juvenile hallux valgus and is more frequent than you think.
• Do Children Grow Out of Flat Feet?   
  Many parents are concerned when they look at their child's foot and it seems excessively flat. They are even more disturbed if one of the parents has a history of painful flat feet in their family. Unfortunately many pediatricians tell everyone that they will "grow out" of flat feet. This is a terrible misjustice to the millions of children who have symptomatic, structural flat feet that they will not "grow out of" and often leads to many years of pain and disability when treatment can signifiacntly decrease their suffering.
• The Truth About Childrens Feet   
  Proper care and treatment of the feet, beginning in childhood, will prevent many of the orthopedic foot and ankle problems seen in adults. Preventive medicine in the field of podiatric medicine is just as important to your child as it is in dentistry or general medicine. Many children walk excessively pigeon toed, flat footed, or bowlegged; although they are not in pain, they are damaging their feet and causing abnormal stress to all the joints of their lower extremities as well as their back.
• Escalator Injuries! Are We Putting Our Kids At Risk? Does Shoe Gear Matter?   
  The rising popularity of flip flop sandals and Crocs shoes, has brought escalator safety concerns for children in the United States to the forefront. As a physician and mother of three small girls, a few questions came to mind. These two types of shoe gear have been lumped together as increasing risks, but is this a truly fair assessment?
• Does Your Child Run Funny?   
  Does your child run funny? Most childhood foot deformities and abnormal biomechanics are ignored unless they are severe in nature. If your child was born with a severe clubfoot or an obvious rocker bottom flat foot, your pediatrician would have you running to the podiatrist or orthopedist. Why is it that mild to moderate foot and ankle problems are mostly ignored until the child is complaining of pain?

View All

Foot & Ankle Surgery:

• Bone Tumors of the Heel   
  Heel pain can be caused by a bone tumor. These are not common, but an xray is always medically necessary in heel pain patients to rule out a tumor.
• What to Expect After Bunion Surgery   
  Nervous about Hallux valgus correction, also known as bunion surgery? Here is a realistic explanation of what to expect in the days and weeks after surgery.
• Achilles Tendon Repair   
  Weekend warriors, athletes, and non-athletes can all experience an achilles tendon tear or rupture. This classic sign that the tendon is completely torn is a feeling of getting hit with a baseball bat on the back of your leg.
• Lateral Ankle Stabilization   
  Lateral Ankle Stabilization. You have had an unstable ankle for years, you constantly roll, twist or sprain your ankle and you have been told that a lateral ankle stabilization procedure is your next step. So what does this mean exactly?
• Post Operative Instructions [PDF]   
  It is important to follow post operative instructions after foot surgery. Here is a copy of our post surgery instructions for you to follow. Remember to read and follow all instructions to the tee to improve your surgical outcomes. Always contact the office with any questions before proceeding to change your weight-bearing status!
• Diabetic Foot Surgery   
• Am I Ready For Surgery Yet?   
  Am I ready for surgery yet? Seems like such an easy question to answer huh? Actually, unless it is something obvious like getting your foot stuck in a lawn mower or shattering your ankle putting up Christmas lights, this question is a little more challenging.
• I Have Neuroma...Do I Need Surgery?   
  Neuromas can be very Irritating and Painful. A neuroma can prevent you from wanting to walk around and be active, and with summer around the corner who wants that?
• Post Operative Instructions   
  After a surgery can be quite a scary time. Things go on with your body that are not part of your normal life style and that would freak anyone out. Just take a deep breath, stay calm, and read this article to find out all the normal things that will most likely happen after your surgery.
• How to Use Crutches   
  Crutches, even in a young athlete, can be hard to manage. If you are over 30, over-weight or just plan not coordinated; ask your doctor if they have an alternative to crutches. You are better off using a walker, rolling device, or wheel chair than falling down on crutches.
• Running After Bunion Surgery?   
  I hear this question at least several times a month from my active, athletic patients. Of course, my first response is always, “Are you able to run now?” This is not sarcasm, but a true fact finding mission. If you are unable to run before your surgery, due to the pain in your bunions, then if you can run afterwards - I am a hero! The same goes for the opposite. If you are running pain free before surgery, and really only want your bunions fixed due to the fact you think your feet are ugly, if you can’t run afterwards - you really don’t like me very much!
• 9 Common Questions About Foot Surgery   
  Of the many patients we see on a daily basis, often their foot and ankle problems can be helped with conservative, non-surgical care. But there are times when surgery is necessary to relieve pain, remove a deformity or repair an injury. There are many questions that come with foot and ankle surgery and here we address the 9 most frequently asked.
• Bunion Surgery Revealed!   
  Many patients are very apprehensive about bunion surgery. They have heard horror stories of severe pain and bad outcomes. These are usually not true. Bunion surgery revealed!
• Common Questions About Foot Surgery   
  Most people have a lot of questions and are very apprehensive about having foot and ankle surgery. Here are the top 9 questions we hear to calm you fears. Information is often great medicine!

View All

Trauma:

• Lacerations Can Be Nasty!   
  Lacerations can be nasty? Here is how to decide whether to go straight to the Emergency Room or come in the office. There is no such thing as a "simple" cut!
• Calcaneal Fractures aka A Broken Heel Bone   
  Calcaneal Fractures aka A Broken Heel Bone. Breaks or fractures (they are the same thing) of the heel bone can be incredibly painful and 99% of the time are due to a falling or high force trauma.
• Getting Back to Normal After Ankle Sprains   
  You’ve sprained your ankle and it hurts. You’ve put ice on it and it still hurts. You are using crutches and it still hurts. You even wrapped it with an ace bandage. Now what? Ankle sprains are painful. And the worse the injury, the more the pain. But understanding how to rehab ankle sprains can greatly reduce the painful time and get you back in action sooner.
• How Long Will it Take to Heal Doc?   
  Where to begin on this seemingly so easy a question? There are sooooo many factors to take into consideration. This explains why you will hear doctors say “on average…” or “typically…”. We know from experience, and what we’ve read in the mountains of medical literature, when things are suppose to heal. This is the easy part. Here is a very short list of when certain body parts heal:
• Toe Fractures   
  Treatment for a broken toe include protective shoe gear, splinting, and in some cases, surgery. Your doctor can discuss how bad your fracture is and whether surgery is needed for an optimal result.
• Metatarsal Fractures   
  I was running last week, twisted my foot and felt a "pop." The pain is not going away so I came into the office." "What took you so long? "Metatarsal fractures can be this obvious, or can be as subtle as pain in your forefoot or the ball of your foot that has been present for weeks. Patients who have abnormal biomechanics, are older, and have osteopenia or osteopororis (weak, brittle bones) are more susceptible to fractures.
• Ankle Fractures   
  A fracture or break in the bones of the ankle joint can range from a small chip off the bone to a major dislocation with shattering of the bones. This commonly occurs with an injury where the ankle rolls. This can be mistaken for an ankle sprain, but is very different and requires immediate treatment for the best possible outcome.
• Sesamoid Injuries   
  What the heck is a sesamoid? Are they normal? Why do I have two bean shaped bones under my big toe joint? All common questions. Every patient who looks at they foot x-rays for the first time asks what the sesamoids are. For the context of this discussion, the sesamoids are two small bones inside the flexor tendon on the bottom of the big toe joint. These act as a pulley for the tendons and allow your big toe to push off with more force. They also help to absorb the force of walking and running on the underside of the first metatarsal (the long bone connected to your big toe).
• Stress Fractures   
  Why does it always seem to be the case that when we finally get motivated enough to start exercising on regular basis, or when we have been exercising on regular basis and have finally “found our groove”, we develop some pain in your body that slows us down! More often than not, this pain happens in one foot! Not both, just one. Strangest thing!
• Are Your Feet Overstressed?   
  A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone caused by overuse. Most stress fractures occur on your metatarsal bones in your foot but they can occur in any part of the body. Stress fractures develop over a long period of time and are often initially unnoticed. Your bones naturally break down bone and rebuild bone on a continual basis. If too much force in repeatedly applied to the bone, then the breaking down of bone will exceeds the rebuilding of bone. The bone is insufficiently repairing itself. This is called bone fatigue.

View All

Skin and Nail Problems:

• What To Expect After Wart Surgery   
  What happens after warts are treated in the office by cryotherapy or surgery? Here are some answers to common questions about verruca or platar warts
• Solutions For Sweaty Feet!   
  Sweaty feet are also known as hyperhidrosis. There are many causes and few solutions. Here is an overview to help you with sweaty feet!
• Ingrown Toenails Patient Information   
  Ingrown toenails can be quite painful. Here are the most up to date information on the diagnosis and treatment options of patients with ingrown toenails.
• Got Toenail Troubles?   
  Toes can be a runner's weakest link. For some, it's the knees, for others, the back. And for many, the toes, or at least one of them, can be the problem that tortures an otherwise trouble-free runner. Any runner can get into toe trouble with the right (or wrong) conditions. From blisters, corns, and calluses to stress fractures and ingrowns, those cute little toes can become a big headache.
• Toe Jams March Madness Bracketology   
  Even runners are watching March Madness right now. College basketball will have the nation riveted to their TV and discussing this year's Cinderella stories. The biggest health story of the tournament so far is the jammed big toe of North Carolina's Ty Lawson.
• Toenail Fungus: The Getting, Going, and Staying Gone   
  Onychomycosis is the medical term for nail fungus and yes, you are not the only one hiding your ugly toenails. Over 6 million Americans suffer from toenail fungus and the number continues to grow more every year. Every day, I am faced with questions regarding oral treatment for toenail fungus, and there seems to be a lot of misunderstandings and myths. Do you know the truth about oral fungal treatments?
• Missing Toenails?   
  Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner and that means warm weather shoe styles will soon appear. Sandals are a welcomed vision letting you know the cold days of winter will soon pass. For others however, sandals or open toe styles can be a challenge especially for those who are embarrassed by missing or damaged toenails.
• The Stink in Your Feet!   
  Are you embarrassed about the stank that comes from your feet. Do your husband’s feet stink? What about your children’s feet, especially your young athlete? Stinky feet have been plaguing man kind since the stone age! Thus, you can only imagine all of the home remedies.
• Can I Wear Nail Polish With Fungus On My Nails?   
  It’s a bum rap! You have fungus on your toe nails and all you want to do is cover it up! Nothing better than nail polish to do that, but you know enough about fungus to know that fungus thrives in moist dark places. Nail polish gives that fungus a wonderful place to grow and thrive! What’s a girl to do??
• Could it Be Ringworm?   
  Rest easy, Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by Fungus, not by actual worms. The types of fungi that cause ringworm are found on the superficial (top) layers of the skin. They grow best in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms, swimming pools and in skin folds.
• Tinea pedis (Athelet's Foot Fungus)   
  Most commonly known as "athlete’s foot fungus", tinea pedis is the term used for a dermatophyte infection of the bottom of the feet and in between the toes. Tinea pedis is thought to be the world's most common dermatophytosis. Reportedly, 70% of the population will be infected with tinea pedis at some time.
• Warts: What Works, What Doesn't And Why!   
  So you think you may have a wart. A wart is a virus, and like any virus, it is not easy to get rid of. The good news is that we have been treating these things for years and have some pretty good ideas on what works and what doesn’t!
• Malignant Melanoma and Your Feet   
  Not all brown or pink skin spots are melanomas, and they are rarely in the feet; but when they are, they are usually nasty! Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the skin that produce pigment or color. It is often called malignant melanoma because it spreads to other parts of the body as it grows beneath the surface of the skin. Unlike many other cancers, it can strike at any age.
• Sweaty Feet (Hyperhydrosis)   
  Wet, sloshy, sweaty feet that side around in your shoes and sandals. That can’t feel good! Why don’t your feet stop sweating?
• Itchy Dry Winter Skin?   
  Colder temperatures bring dry itching skin to most of us, along with that annoying runny nose. Whether you live in Rhode Island or Texas, cold temperatures can bring dry, cracked skin that can make you just about crazy. These itchy, sometimes bumpy, patches are your body’s way of trying to scream for help. It is the outer layer of skin, made up of dead skin cells, natural oils and fats, which is sending the cry for help.
• Laser Away Your Toenail Fungus!   
  There is now a new FDA approved option for treatment that includes a painless laser procedure to kill the fungus in the toenail with usually one treatment! And is 80-88% effective! Think about it, one 30 minute treatment by a painless laser and 6 to 9 months later, the toenails have grown out normal! Too bad we can’t figure out how to make them grow faster! Find out all about it and find out the answer to some common FAQ's!
• Porokeratosis   
  The best way to describe these little critters is to imagine having small “dot” calluses on the bottoms of your feet. Those of you who pick at them, are able to remove a central core of this callous, which temporarily provides relief until it builds up again. We know how painful these can become! Of our patients described them as having a sensation of stepping on tiny pebbles all the time. Ouch!
• Avoid Bathroom Surgery On Ingrown Toenails   
  Almost everyone, at one time or another in their life, has suffered from an ingrown toenail. Often, this first occurs during adolescence, but can occur at any age. The toenail curves into the skin, causing redness, irritation and pain. Most kids don't complain until their toe is swollen, red, and dripping pus! Don't worry, Mom, they hide it until they can't stand the pain anymore. Some older kids (yes, I mean you!) do the same thing with their spouses. Don't delay ingrown toenail treatment, you don't have to live with the pain
• Deadly Pedicure?   
  With so many lawsuits connected to deaths, chronic infections and disfigurement from pedicures; you would think the public would be clamoring for reform. Just the opposite, most consumers completely blow off the risks and have the "it won't happen to me" attitude.
• Whats Hiding Under Your Nail Polish?   
  My nails are thick, yellow and seem to have something growing underneath them. I'm not a dirty person, how did this happen? I get asked this question more times a week than I can count. Why do some people have nasty toenails that look like little mountains of yellow, thick rock? Fungus is the most common culprit!
• A $2000 Rusty Nail   
  A $2000 rusty nail. Address puncture wounds immediately! They are often much more contaminated than they look.
• Ugly Toenails Linked With Depression! New Treatments Are Hopeful!   
  Many people suffer from a common problem: ugly, thick toenails. Often this is caused by onychomycosis, a fungal infection in the nails. Most people actually feel this is simply a minor cosmetic problem and really do not classify this as a disease. Reality is that onychomycosis can actually be a devastating problem for many people. In fact, a recent study has linked onychomycosis with depression in otherwise healthy patients.
• Funky Toenails? There May Be A Fungus Among Us...Or Maybe Not?   
  There may be a fungus among us...or maybe not? There are lots of reasons people have funky looking toenails. Look around the next time you are on the beach or by a pool with a bunch of barefoot people. Nails can really be strange looking and all kinds of different colors (and I'm not talking about nail polish!)
• Treating my toenail fungus…what about all my shoes?   
  Had a fungal infection? Want to know what to do to save your shoes? Introducing Sterishoe.
• Funky Toenails From Chemotherapy?   
  Got funky toenails after chemostherapy? Most survivors agree that when undergoing chemo, the majority of the time they are not warned on what to expect their toenails to begin to look like. No one tells them that their toenails will most likely fall off, turn colors, get thick, have skin attached to them and even possibly smell. What's up with that?

View All

Foot Pain and Deformities:

• Osteoporosis and Your Feet   
  Osteoporosis affects your feet. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density causing a thinning of the bone. This can lead to pathological fractures.
• Why is My Heel Pain Back?   
  Why is My Heel Pain Back? Lots of different reasons. Let's discuss recurrent plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome.
• Heel Pain Treatment Algorithm   
  Heel pain, whether plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis, is a common foot problem that responds best to a step wise clinical protocol approach to treatment.
• Arthritis and Your Feet   
  Arthritis is a very common reason patients suffer from foot pain. Here are some tips to keep you or your family member moving in the right direction. We also want to help guide you through any arthritic complications you may be suffering from like decreased mobility and structural changes in your feet. Let our podiatrists help you control your arthritic foot issues.
• Posterior Tibial Tendonitis   
  Many people have begun a vigorous exercise program to start their New Year’s resolution of losing weight and getting in shape. But with this, comes unexpected pain that stops the workout sessions and ultimately prevents them from fulfilling their goal. Pain along the inside of the ankle that extends to the inside arch is often due to strain of the posterior tibial tendon.
• Holiday Foot Pain   
  Well our house had a great Thanksgiving holiday filled with turkey and way too much stuffing. But instead of putting up Christmas decorations like many others did, we decided to paint our living room. Why I don’t know, but after standing on a 10 foot ladder for hours I realized why foot injury and pain is so common this time of year.
• Are Your Legs Different Lengths?   
  From early in the development process, the body's two halves develop independently. As they develop, usually they will be very similar and almost identical. But since they are independent, each individual has eyes that are different sizes, nostrils that are different sizes and ears that are different sizes. This difference can also be seen in different size feet and legs. In many individuals this may be without problems, but in a runner this matters.
• How to Get Rid of Your Winter Alligator Skin   
  Get Rid of My Dry Skin Dry skin! As the air gets cold, the moisture in the air decreases. The air will steal moisture from your skin and as a result, your skin will be drier this time of the year.
• The Outside Of My Foot Really Hurts!   
  What is the lateral column of my foot? The lateral column of the foot consists of the calcaneus,the cuboid and 4th and 5th metatarsal bones. Many things can cause you to have lateral column pain including arthritis, biomechanical abnormalities (the way you walk), acute fractures secondary to trauma, or overuse syndrome.
• Midial Tibial Stress Syndrome   
  Medial tibial stress syndrome also been called "shin splints" is the most common injury in the legs of active individuals. Females are more commonly affected, along with 22 percent of all injuries in aerobic dancers. Anyone participating in running or jumping acitvites are likely to develop this stress syndrome.
• Five Healthy Feet Tips for a Happy New Year   
• My Big Toe Joint Hurts! The Arthritis You Never Knew!   
  Have you ever suspected you have arthritis in your big toe joint? It is one of those conditions that slowly creeps up on you. You may be going about your business only to notice that your big toe joint hurts! You may end up limping around for an hour or even a few days and then it disappears only to reappear when you least expect it! What’s up with this? Well, it may be plain ol’arthitis!
• Why Are My Feet Hurting Now?   
  "I have never had a problem with my feet before. Why are they hurting now?" I have heard on so many occasions patients ask this question. I must admit, this is really a very good question! Why do your feet hurt now?
• State-Of-The-Art Treatments For Foot Pain   
  Let me start with the fact that foot pain is NEVER normal. If your feet or ankles hurt, there is usually a reason. Some common reasons may include poor shoes, infections, injuries or strained or torn tendons or ligaments. Understanding and fixing the cause of the pain, or making adjustments to alleviate the pain over time is often possible. What I want to discuss is a new treatment that allows correction of pain that is not alleviated through standard treatments.
• Cavus Feet(High Arches)   
  You’ve been told your whole life you have a high-arched foot and that’s why you have trouble fitting shoes. What you have in medical terms is a cavus foot type. For many people, this is just the way God made them, and they inherited it from someone in their family (Yes, you can blame Grandma). For others, their cavus foot developed as a result of an accident, neurological problem, or medical condition like multiple sclerosis, polio, or Charcot-Marie-Tooth (that’s a mouthful).
• Flexible Flat Feet   
  I have had flat feet forever, but now they hurt every day! What can I do? Millions of Americans have flat to low arched feet and no pain. It is the painful flat foot that should be treated. Flat foot is actually a garbage catch-all term for a variety of complex foot deformities.
• Equinus   
  Equinus is not another name for a horse. It is a disorder that is characterized by a tight Achilles tendon. If you have an equinus, you have difficult bringing the top of your foot toward the front of your leg also known as a lack of dorsiflexion. This can occur in one or both feet and is compensated for by either picking up their heel early in gait, toe- walking or flattening their arch.
• Cross Over Toe   
  "My toe has a mind of its own!" As podiatrists, we have heard this many, many a time! Why would a perfectly straight toe decide to take off in another direction? A cross over toe is a toe that had lost the stabilizing network of ligaments that keep the toe straight. What that means is that if any of these ligaments holding the toe straight are be strained or torn, the toe will deviate from its normal position. How does this happen?
• Haglund's Deformity   
  So you have had a bump on the back of your heel for a long time. Why is it starting to hurt?
  That bump on the back of your heel is called a "Haglund’s deformity". Sounds ugly doesn’t it? And some times the pain with it is uglier than the name!
• Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (Adult-Acquired Flat Foot)   
  Noticed that your foot is getting flatter and more painful? Do you have difficulty walking or performing exercise activity without leg and arch pain? Have you heard the term "fallen arches"? All of these things refer to a condition known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
• Tarsal Coalition   
  This condition occurs from an abnormal connection between two bones in the back of the foot known as tarsal bones. This connection can be made of fibrous tissue, cartilage or bone. Once this abnormal connection forms, it causes limited motion of the foot which leads to pain. This is most often a hereditary condition, but can also be caused from arthritis or trauma.
• Gout   
  Gout used to be known as the disease of kings. Too much red meat and red wine caused the kings of old to suffer from gout. This is actually only one cause of gout, but an important safety tip! Gout is a disorder that results from a build up of uric acid crystals in a joint. This can be your big toe joint, ankle, or knee, most commonly; but can occur in any joint or tissue in the body. (I’ve seen it in an earlobe!) Simply said, gout hurts so bad you don’t even want a sock or sheet on your foot, let alone a shoe!
• Ganglionic Cyst   
  Where did that bump on your foot come from? If it is soft, or at one time was soft and is now getting harder, you are probably looking at a ganglion cyst. The word "ganglion" is taken from the Greek word "ganglia" to mean "knot of tissue". These "knots" are also known as "synovial cysts" and arise from a herniation of a joint lining or from the sleeve that wraps around some tendons. If they do not hurt, we treat them conservatively.
• Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy   
  This is an uncommon, chronic condition that affects an arm or leg with intense burning, aching pain and swelling. Changes in skin including texture and color as well as temperature may occur. And this is one of those conditions that has the medical community baffled. No one really knows why it happens. It seems to be more common in women, but men can be affected and it can happen in any age group.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis   
  Rhuematoid Arthritis, or RA, is a systemic inflammatory disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of motion in the joints. It is an automimmune disease, in which a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissue. In RA, the immune system attacks the synovium, which is the tissue that lines the joints, causing inflammation in and overgrowth of this tissue.
• Osteoarthritis   
  The term arthritis covers more than 100 diseases. Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, also called DJD or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in the joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body.
• Living With Arthritis in Your Feet   
  Many of you have heard the term or know someone diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or Osteoarthritis (OA). Could you be suffering one of these forms of arthritis as well?
• What is Psoriatic Arthritis?   
  What is Psoriatic Arthritis? What causes it? What are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? The answers to to these and more found in this article.
• Plantar Plate Injuries   
  What in the heck is a plantar plate injury? (as we all tilt our heads to one side!) I can tell you it is a commonly misdiagnosed condition in my profession and one that if it is not treated early can end up needing surgery. The pain with a plantar plate injury is underneath the toe next to the big toe and can either start suddenly with a sharp pain or can come on gradually over time. In either case which you end up with is pretty constant pain under the ball the foot if it is not treated.
• Why is My Second Toe Curling?   
  In most circumstances, your second toe is curling because it is trying to stabilize your forefoot in gait. A bunion deformity (a.k.a. Hallux valgus) causes the weight to shift to the second MPJ (or knuckle). Over time, the flexor tendon causes the toe to curl and eventually a hammertoe can occur. This will then become a rigid deformity of the toe and cause pain in the joint.
• Forefoot Pain Got You down?   
  Forefoot pain got you down? Are you experiencing chronic pain in the ball of your foot? Have you noticed your second toe is curling more and lifting in your shoes? You may be experiecing a plantar plate injury.
• Painful Corns on Your Toes?   
  Got painful corns on your toes? Corns: such a simple name for a relatively complex problem. Corns can be extremely painful and actually are caused by several different foot ailments, so finding the root cause can take some detective work.
• Got the Ball of Foot Pain Blues?   
  Got the ball of foot pain blues? Pain under the ball the foot is known as "Metatarsalgia" in the podiatry world. Where your pain is in your forefoot makes a big difference on what your problem in particular could be. Mine happens to be underneath where my second toe, next to the big toe, attaches to the forefoot. This seems to be a pretty common area.
• Wobbly Ankles? There is Hope For Chronic Instability   
  Ever notice that you seem to sprain your ankles multiple times a year? Afraid to walk on uneven surfaces because you know that will result in pain or a sprained ankle? Think you have "weak ankles"? This is all known as chronic ankle instability.
• Got Heel Pain?   
  Heel pain is the most common complaint podiatrist see in our offices. The pain is greatest usually when you get up in the morning, but continues to worsen over time, until it hurts with every step you take and can even ache at night when resting. This syndrome is most commonly caused by several factors, including, but not limited to:
  Tight calf muscles, Increase in body weight, Sudden change in the amount of intensity of exercise, Improper or worn out shoes, and Abnormal foot biomechanics (excessive pronation or supination). More about it in this Article.
• Pregnancy And Your Feet: Adding Insult to Injury!   
  I don't care if you are a size 2 or 12 when you get pregnant, by the sixth month most woman are complaining of some kind of foot and ankle pain. As a mother of three, I can attest that every pregnancy was unique in its own way, but one constant through them all was "Oh! My aching feet!" and this is from a podiatrist. Let me share with you some of the tricks of the trenches and recommendation from the American Podiatric Medical Association that I learned which helped me survive the pregnancy trauma to my feet.
• Does Anyone Walk Normally?   
  In this age of insoles and orthotics for every activity and every shoe on the market; my patients often ask, "Does anyone walk normally?" And what is "normal gait" anyway? In normal gait, your heel swings from side to side as your foot moves. When the heel swings correctly, your foot can flatten and regain its arch as you walk. (normal pronation with resupination) But if your heel swings too much, your foot may flatten more than it should. (overpronation)
• Don't Mess With Puncture Wounds!   
  I stepped on something and it stuck in my foot. No big deal, I pulled it out and cleaned the area. Now my foot is red, hot and swollen....what should I do? This scenario happens every day and the swollen, infected part could have been easily avoided with a quick trip to the podiatrist.
• There Is Hope For Bunion Sufferers!   
  Who ever named it a "bunion?" Probably the same person who named an enlarged thyroid a "goiter", but seriously, bunions are the common description of a bump on the side of the big toe. Really they are much more than that.
• Killer Heels? Why Women Need to Rethink High Heels And 21 Tips For Better Foot Health   
  We all have them, those adorable, had-to-buy-them, high heel shoes hiding in our closet. In fact, many of us have hundreds of pairs! They are torture devices made by men for women because they make our butts look good. We also like the way they make us feel tall, in charge, and yes, sexy! High heeled shoes are seen as a career woman's six-gun, but what are we doing to our feet?
• When is A Bunion Not A Bunion?   
  When is a bunion not a bunion? Some doctors assume any pain in the great toe accompanied by a bump was a "bunion" or Hallux Abducto Valgus. Some cases its Hallux Limitis also known as osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. Hallux valgus is a crooked big toe joint. Over a period of years, the great toe becomes much friendlier with the second toe and drifts toward and eventually under or over the second toe. Hallux limitis is wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. Many people are predisposed to have this problem by the underlying biomechanical function of their joint.
• Got Cold Feet?   
  Got cold feet? I'm not talking about runaway brides, I mean it. Cold feet can be symptoms of many things like diabetes to frost bite. None of these disorders are minor and cold feet can be one of the earliest symptoms.
• Forefoot Pain Got You Down?   
  Forefoot pain got you down? Are you experiencing chronic pain in the ball of your foot? Have you noticed your second toe is curling more and lifting in your shoes? You may be experiecing a plantar plate injury.
• What Makes A Shoe Comfortable?   
  If you are like most women (and some men), you have at least 50 pairs of shoes in your closet and can't or won't wear many of them. They feel great or look awesome in the store, but by the time they get home and you pull them out to show all your friends or for an event; they hurt!
• Painful Lump In Your Arch? Could Be Plantar Fibromatosis   
  Painful lump in your arch? Plantar Fibromatosis. A lump in your arch that is firm and doesn't move. They usually start out as a very small pea sized nodule that increases in size over time. Most people don't even notice them until they get big enough to be annoying in your shoes or when walking barefoot. They can happen to anyone, but are most commonly seen in middle-aged to older patients and are much more common in men than woman.
• Why is There an Epidemic of Heel Pain?   
  Why is there an epidemic of heel pain? Everyone I talk to has had plantar fasciitis or at least has heard of it. Many can even spell it correctly. (Isn't that scary!) Most people suffer for months and even years before they seek medical attention. Even those treated with traditional methods seem to take just about forever to get better. So let's take a closer look.
• A Pain in the Heel: Achilles Burstis is Not Tendonitis!   
  Did you know that there are more than 250,000 Achilles tendon injuries in the United States each year? Of these injuries, almost 25% require some kind of medical intervention to heal. A fully ruptured tendon requires surgery. Most other injuries can be treated conservatively and will resolve without surgery.
• What is A "Sausage Toe"?   
  What is a "Sausage Toe"? Sausage toe is inflammation of the distal interphalangeal joints (tip of your toe and adjacent knuckle) that looks like a sausage or lollipop. Sausage toes should be treated aggressively to decrease the inflammation and joint destruction. Long term inflammation can lead to erosive changes and permanent joint pain and stiffness. Treated early, sausage toe can just be part of a whimsical story instead of a long term disability.
• Why Do Some Younger People Get Arthritis in Their Ankles?   
  Why do some younger people get arthritis in their ankles? Younger patients can experience arthritis in their ankles. There is no age limit, young or old, for this painful disorder. Some people have arthritis caused by a systemic disorder like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Most have a more traumatic type of arthritis caused by an injury.

View All

Nerve-Related Foot Problems:

• Morton's Neuroma   
  I’m not even sure who Morton was, but he must have a heck of a pain in the ball of his foot! Morton’s neuroma is actually "perineural fibrosis." In English, this is chronic scarring around a nerve. This scarring is almost an onion skin formation of scar tissue layered with fluid around a small interdigital nerve. The more fluid, the more scar, the more pain you experience.
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome   
  Tarsal tunnel? Sounds like carpal tunnel doesn’t it? This condition is obviously not as common as carpal tunnel, but the symptoms have a lot in common. The burning of tingling and painful sensations that he may be feeling on the bottom of one or both feet may be related to this condition. Mind you, anyone experiencing these symptoms should be evaluated by a podiatrist.
• Lumbar Radiculopathy   
  Lumbar radiculopathy is pain in the lower extremities along the course of a nerve coming from the low back. It is most commonly seen in our practice coming from the longest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve which is referred to as sciatica. It controls many of the muscles in your lower legs and provides feeling to your thigh, legs and feet. Symptoms include radiating pain from your low back into the buttocks, down the legs and to the feet.
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy   
  Burning, tingling, numbness to your feet?! Does this sound familiar? Are you a diabetic? If you are, and are experiencing some or all of the symptoms, you are experiencing classic signs of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. If there is a history of diabetes in your family or you are not sure, then the information below could save your life.
• Dorsal Neuritis   
  Tingling, burning, shooting sensations to the top of the foot. Pain is worse in shoes, especially laceups. Hitting the nail on the head in describing your symptoms? This condition hurts! And it is making it next to impossible to find shoes that don’t make it worse! Help!

View All

Healty Steps Shoe Store & Spa:

• Bamboo For Who? How About You?   
  Bamboo Charcoal was discovered during the Ming Dynasty in 1486 A.D. Today Molecular Nano Bamboo Charcoal is made when bamboo charcoal powder is refined by temperatures over 700 degrees. Nano Bamboo Charcoal Fiber (NBCF) is able to release FAR Infrared Rays that may promote blood circulation and increase Anion production.
• Foot Padding, Foot Inserts, and Foot Appliances Oh My!   
  Did you know the use of pads, inserts and other foot appliances are a great way to treat many foot problems? With a bit of research and help from your local Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.), you just might find the right device to aid in resolving your foot issue.
• Find The Shoe For You! Shoe Fitting Tips For Foot Health   
  The wrong shoes can cause or aggravate foot ailments. The right shoes can often prevent - but cannot correct - problems. So wearing the right shoes is vital to foot health. Follow these simple suggestions when picking out shoes. If problems persist, visit your podaitrist. They will be happy to help you.
• Is The "Fit Flop" The Answer to The Common Fit Flop Sandal?   
  For years podiatrists have been maligning the flip flop sandal as a cause of many common foot problems. In fact, multiple articles have been published about the dangers encountered in the current flip-flop phenomenon. Still, most teenagers and young adults spend more time in flip-flop sandals then any other shoes.
• Healty Steps: Shoes and Orthotics   
  Healthy Steps was created for you with the proper fitting shoe and orthotic in mind. Whether you wear orthotics and need properly fitting shoes or are looking for shoes that are comfortable with style, let the staff at Healthy Steps be of service to you. A certifed pedorthist is on staff to help you with your foot related issues.

View All

Business Team:

• So What Did You Think About Your Visit? We Want to Know   
  The doctors at FAANT want to know what you thought about your visit. Please give us feedback so we can improve our service to the community
• Why does my insurance company not pay for my custom orthotics?   
  Contrary to your insurance company’s information, we have found that most times custom orthotic coverage usually has little to do with medical necessity; though some carriers are complying with state mandates for certain conditions. Which means your insurance company can agree that they are medically necessary, but still not cover them because they are an exclusion in your particular policy. How does this happen?

View All

Patient Forms:

• Patient Authorized Consent [PDF]   
  Patient Authorized Consent Form
• Medical Past History Form [PDF]   
  Medical Past History Form
• Authorization to Treat a Minor [PDF]   
  Authorization to Treat a Minor
• Grapevine Area Map [PDF]   
  How to Find the Office
• Medical History Form [PDF]   
  Medical History Form
• Patient Registration Form [PDF]   
  Patient Registration Form
• Office Policies and procedures [PDF]   
  Office Policies and Procedures
• HIPAA Disclosure [PDF]   
  HIPAA Disclosure
• Insurance Accepted [PDF]   
  Insurance Contracting
• FAANT-astic Visit Tips [PDF]   
  FAANT-astic Visit
• Medicare Patient Only Screening Form [PDF]   
  Medicare Screening Form
• New Patient Forms   
  Patient forms are to facilitate your visit at FAANT. Please complete all forms as accurately as possible and, then at least 48 hours prior to your visit, fax to our secure fax line (817)886-3612. Completion of these forms before your visit will expedite your FAANT-astic experience!

View All

General:

• Congenital Foot Problems   
  A congenital foot deformity simply means you were born with it. Many of us are born with subtle foot types that predispose us for foot related problems. This can be a flexible flat foot to a rigid high arched foot, called a cavus deformity. Even a tight Achilles tendon can be congenital. Many of us do not even realize we have this underlying foot deformity until later in life when our bodies can no longer accomodate for it due to loss of elasticity.
• Power Naps Boost Productivity!   
  Here is an essay on the power of the nap! I pride myself on getting more done on a daily basis than your average bear. My secret? The Power nap! And a great list! Power naps really do boost your productivity!
• Dr.Scholl's Inserts... Deal or Dud?   
  So is the kiosk in Walmart touting "revolutionary footmapping technology" really a good product? According to their advertising, this technology identifies unique foot pressure points and arch type, then suggests a "Custom Fit Orthotic".
• Where You Recieve Your Therapeutic Shoe Gear Matters   
  Each year, thousands of people receive shoes and inserts via the therapeutic shoe bill. Medicare patients with part B coverage who are under the care of a Physician for Type I or Type II Diabetes and have one or more of the required conditions can receive approved diabetic footwear and inserts each calendar year.
• Cutting The Grass   
  Spring is here and for those who love lawn and gardening care, it’s time to cut the grass! After tuning up the lawnmower and the edger…. off you go to play with the lawn. So what do feet have to do with cutting the grass? Actually, quite a bit if you wish to continue your drive for the greenest lawn on the block. Below are safety tips for your feet during the lawn and garden season.
• Are Orthotics Just An Arch Support?   
  Lots of patients in our Grapevine, TX office ask, "What is the difference between an orthotic and a simple arch suppoprt? Why should I spend that much more money when I can go to Wal-mart?" This is a great question with a simple, but yet complex answer.
• That Thing to Measure Your Feet...   
  When you shoe shop, are your feet measured each time you enter the shoe department? Most likely, the answer is occasionally to never. When you shop for shoes, insist on your feet being measured for there is good reason! Plain and simple, your feet change in shape and size. Wearing the wrong size shoes whether they are too small or too large in length and width can drastically affect your foot health.
• Resolve to Own the Right Shoes!   
  As we reflect on the old and look forward to the new, many of us have to do lists or even resolutions in mind. We are over the hump of the holidays and for many, thoughts are driven to think about goals, losing the holiday weight, and paying off debt. Typical of each holiday season now isn’t it?So lets think of something a bit different from the norm.
• Ankle Pain With No Sprain?   
  I see several patients on a weekly basis that complain of ankle pain that have no history of recent ankle sprain or any trauma. They describe their pain as sharp and burning on the inside of the ankle with swelling and pain that is worse with walking, but continues as aching pain at rest. Some patients can have so much pain that they are unable to walk without crutches.
• Vitamin D, The New Front Runner?   
  Your muscles and bones are important in maintaining your balance, posture and mobility. As we age, it is crucial to maintain strong muscles and bones to prevent falls especially to persons who are age 65 and over. Vitamin D can assist in maintaining your muscle and bone strength and has been shown to increase certain types of muscle fibers resulting in greater mobility and balance. Bones benefit as vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium.
• Don't Let This Holiday Be Your Last!   
  Many of us will be traveling this holiday to see family, friends or just get away from the hussle and bussle of the season. Our minds are occupied with the many things that must be done before we reach our final destination. Did I get all the Christmas presents? Hope I didn't forget anyone? Where is my passport? How many times will I be frisked before I get on the plane? Who's making the cheese dip this year? But the one thing that no one thinks...Is this trip going to kill me?
• Forget The Pain, Running Injuries Can Be Depressing!!   
  Earlier this year I treated a patient who ran the Houston Marathon and jumped right into training for the upcoming triathlon season the following week, against my advice, while nursing a painful case of posterior tibial tendon tendonitits. Unfortunately this approach eventually sidelined him and forced him to scrap the entire triathlon season in order to undergo surgery and recover from his injury. This eventually led to a major case of depression which far outlasted his recovery from injury and almost kept him out indefinitely.
• How Weather Conditions Affect Running Performance   
  If you are an outdoor runner you certainly have noticed that the weather can dictate how well you feel during your run. You may be surprised to learn that your performance during a run or race is directly related to the weather. The "perfect running temperature" has been scientifically debated to be somewhere around 50-54 degrees!! Most people begin to slow after 55 degrees and can really "hit the wall" if the temperature rises above 65 degrees while racing.
• Running With Diabetes   
  Diabetes is a disease that affects a person’s blood glucose levels which may lead to a large array of complications. According to the American Diabetes Association over 23.6 million Americans or 8% of the US population has Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult-onset, is the most common form of diabetes and most commonly occurs in adults who are overweight.
• Getting the Most Out of Your Podiatry Visit   
  You finally have time to see your podiatrist. You have questions. You need answers. We are really here to help. We understand everyone has different needs and expectations. We do our best to provide that while we visit with you. Predictably those needs and expectations change with every visit.
• Fine Tune Your Feet   
  On any given day we don’t hesitate to shower to keep ourselves clean, brush our teeth to prevent cavities. We take vitamins and exercise for healthy bodies and a strong heart. We work hard to keep everything in tune to keep ourselves going.
• What Are These Labs For?   
  Well, laboratory tests are an important tool to help us evaluate your health. Diabetics, people with swollen joints, people with foot pain symptoms that are unusual, people going on a new medication and people with infections are all candidates for blood work. Here are some of the more common labs ordered by your podiatrist, what they are for and what abnormal levels could mean.
• Here a Cankle, There a Cankle, Everywhere a Cankle Ankle?   
  We’ve all heard the term “cankle” but do we really know what it means? Media harps on Hillary Clinton’s cankles and other famous celebrities such as Kelly Clarkson and Katherine Hepburn. Cankle is a non-medical slang word to describe the absence of a defined ankle. The calf seems to extend strait down into the foot. As if the word did not have enough body parts to over criticize, we have not moved on to obsess over the size and appearance of our ankles!
• Be Careful of Those Spiders, They Are Not as Innocent as They Look   
  Spring is here, the weather is warming up and we are finally able to wear those cute open toe sandals. With that being said, there are some new concerns to be aware of. All of the creepy crawlers that have been sleeping the winter months away are coming out of their favorite hiding places and we are all at risk for bug bites.
• Do You Have Neuropathy? You Need Neuremedy!   
  Peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition in which the nerves that travel from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body function improperly. People who suffer from peripheral neuropathy commonly experience burning, tingling, numbness and/or shooting pains to their feet and legs. Neuremedy is a medical food that nourishes dysfunctional nerves allowing them to conduct impulses more normally. All the answers to every question you might have are answered here in this article!
• Lacing Techniques   
  So you have tried on multiple pairs of running shoes and there is just something that isn’t right. The perfect fit may be just a lace adjustment away! Here are a couple of lacing options to help you find the perfect fit!
• Do Custom Orthotics Work?   
  Custom orthotics have been the mainstay of treatment for many foot and ankle pathologies for more than 50 years. There is actually good evidence-based literature that confirms that orthotics work for biomechanically induced foot and ankle problems including: plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, hallux limitis, adult-acquired flat foot (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction), rheumatoid arthritis, tarsal tunnel syndrome and lateral ankle instability.
• Acute Inflamation   
  My feet and ankles hurt! And they are swollen and red after I fell down. What do I do? Inflammation is the normal response to irritation, injury, or surgery. Acute inflammation is an immediate response to trauma. Chronic inflammation is a long-term response to a medical condition like arthritis.
• Are Crocs Good For Your Feet?   
  What's with these Crocs? If you are a shoe watcher like me, you may have noticed an interesting new trend. Crocs! They are a very interesting shoe that comes in almost every color and size. Everyone from toddlers to grandparents is cruising around in this flashy, foamy, footwear. You can even buy decorations for your crocs if getting them in hot pink is not enough.
• The Debate Goes On and On   
  They are at it again. The debate that has been going on since the late 1970’s when custom orthotics became the mainstay of treatment for plantar fasciitis. "Millions in Potential Health Care Savings: Prefab Orthotics Found More Effective" was a press release today from a company that...guess what?…makes an off-the-shelf arch support! Are you kidding me???
• Exercising Hurts: Gets Over It!   
  Nine out of ten of my obese patients rate pain, in some body part, as one of their top three excuses why they can't possibly exercise on a regular basis. In fact, for most patients that excuse is #2, right after the incredibly popular "I don't have time." Everyone has some kind of excuse for why they can't exercise, but yet complain about being out of shape, being tired, and being fat!
• Are Your Feet Vacation Ready?   
  Although rest and relaxation are the goals for most vacations, they usually involve a lot of walking and a lot of walking usually involves sore feet. "Walking is great exercise and one of the most reliable forms of transportation," says Marybeth Crane, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas, LLP in Grapevine, Texas. "But if your feet aren't in the best shape or you don't have the right shoes, too much walking can cause foot problems."
• Death By Obesity?   
  Death by obesity. A recently published study predicted that the rate of diabetes in the US will double by 2034 while the rate of obesity will remain steady. Steady at a pathetic one third of the adult population!
• What is a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon or podiatrist?   
  Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons who practice on the lower extremities, primarily feet and ankles as well as their associated structures.
• Preferred Providers   

View All