Author Archives: Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center

Get Out and Run!

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Most people start working out during January after making New Years Resolutions, but December is the perfect time to start some great, healthy habits like exercising regularly. Think about it: the holidays can be hectic and stressful; what better way to relive some of that tension than by going out for a run? And while we’re at it, exercise is a great way to balance out all of those extra calories we all eat over the holidays.

If you decide you want to start running, the first thing to remember is to take it slow! Always start each run with a walk to warm up your muscles. This is especially important during cold weather. You want to keep your muscles warm and loose to prevent injury during exercise. If you get fatigued during your run, slow down and walk for a few minutes. You aren’t going to run a half marathon on your first run. Pushing yourself too hard too quickly can result in injury, so be careful!

To protect your feet while you run, wear good, supportive running shoes. But what is a good shoe? For starters, the shoe will fit properly. You don’t want your shoes to be too tight in the toes. No one wants painful blisters! If you can, go to a specialty running or shoe store with an onsite pedorthist and make sure you get the right fit. Some people find that custom-fabricated orthotics help relieve pain in their feet during runs.

The bottom line for beginning runners is to take it easy, take it slow, and listen to your body. You should especially listen to your feet! If you ever experience foot pain while exercising, stop immediately. If you continue to run, thinking the pain will go away, you can make things a lot worse. You can always call the doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center if you experience any pain in your feet or ankles. Our doctors are active themselves – some play basketball, some play hockey, and one of them is even a triathlete! We’re always here to help you with your foot pain. Call us at (919) 850-9111 or visit our website to make an appointment today.

Happy running!

Cold Weather Foot Care

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we’re already feeling the chill in the air. You probably noticed the recent cold snap we just had. It’s always important to take good care of your feet, but it’s especially important in the winter. We put our feet at risk in the rain, snow, and ice; we wear the wrong kinds of shoes when we exercise or go outside to play with our kids.

People suffering from diabetes need to be especially careful with their feet in the cold weather. Don’t ever go outside barefoot! Doing so puts you at risk for cuts and bruises and even frostbite if exposure is prolonged. Always wear shoes that are supportive and fit properly. In bad weather, wear boots or shoes that won’t allow water in, and limit the amount of time you spend outdoors. And wear shoes that are close-toed whenever possible. Late fall and winter is no time for sandals.

Don’t forget your socks! Socks should be snug – not loose and not too tight, either. They should never bunch up around the toes. And if your shoes and socks get wet, take them off and dry your feet and toes thoroughly before putting on a dry pair.

When you do remove your socks and shoes, take some time to inspect your feet for any cuts or bruises. You can even use a small mirror to check the bottoms of your feet. This is important for diabetics because you may have injuries that you don’t feel because of damaged nerves in your feet, or neuropathy. Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that is dangerous because it can lead to a wound that becomes infected, and if left untreated, could even result in amputation.

If you have diabetes and are concerned about the health of your feet, make an appointment with one of the podiatrists at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center. You can call  us at (919) 850-9111 or request an appointment online. Our doctors have decades of experience caring for people with diabetes, and they’ve seen everything from neuropathy to painful diabetic foot ulcers. Make an appointment with us today. We’ll get you back on your feet.

In the News: Celebs Have Foot Problems, Too

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Last week was a bad one for famous feet. You may have seen that pop singer Taylor Swift was recently photographed at a concert on the Asian leg of her 1989 tour wearing an ankle brace – and she was still wearing her high heels on stage! Swift officially has Achilles tendinitis, also known as inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

If you have Achilles tendinitis you’re probably feeling pain where the tendon attaches to the heel bone, or along the back of your ankle. The injury usually occurs due to chronic, repetitive strain. In Swift’s case, wearing sky-high heels every night on stage for the duration of her world tour probably did the trick.

It wasn’t a good weekend for feet in the world of sports, either. Among the casualties is Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who left the game on Sunday with a foot injury that turned out to be plantar fasciitis. Manning actually has a partial tear in the plantar fascia of his left foot. The Broncos will not start him in their next game against the Chicago Bears.

Plantar fasciitis is also inflammation of a ligament, but the plantar fascia is on the bottom of your foot. If you have it, you probably describe it as heel pain, but you may also feel pain along the arch of your foot. Sometimes the pain improves with activity, but over-use of the foot can make it worse. It can be very, very painful!

So what can you do if you think you’re suffering from Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis? You can always call Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center at (919) 850-9111 and ask to see one of our board-certified podiatrists. You can also request an appointment online. Our doctors will give you a thorough exam and then discuss possible treatments with you. Rest is almost always part of the answer – in Swift’s case, they would probably recommend she stop wearing those high heels.

Remember – you don’t have to suffer from foot and ankle pain. The doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center are happy to help you with any problems you have with your feet. Call us today at (919) 850-9111 to make an appointment.

In the News: Achilles Tendon Rupture

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If you watch football, you might have seen that former Carolina Panthers wide receiver (and current Baltimore Raven) Steve Smith tore his Achilles tendon in a football game against the San Diego Chargers. After catching a pass, Smith went to the ground and clutched his lower leg. He had to be helped off the field by Ravens athletic trainers. It was later announced that the torn Achilles tendon has brought Smith’s season to an end.

The podiatrists at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center frequently treat sports-related injuries like these. Here are some common questions we answer about this injury:

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles is the major tendon located at the back of the ankle. It connects the ankle to the muscles in your lower leg.

What causes the Achilles tendon to tear?

Excessive strain. It’s usually seen in athletes (like Steve Smith) who are very active and put a lot of strain on their lower leg and ankle.

How do you treat a torn Achilles tendon?

Usually surgery, sometimes putting a cast on the leg can help, too.

How is this different from Achilles tendinitis? Are they related?

Tendinitis is an irritation of tendon fibers but the tendon is still intact, not torn or ruptured. A rupture is when the tendon completely tears and is usually a lot more painful. Click here for more information on Achilles tendinitis and possible treatments.

How can I prevent my Achilles tendon from tearing?

It can be difficult to predict. In general, remember to warm-up and stretch before exercise.

How do I know if I need to see a podiatrist for my Achilles tendon?

One word: pain! If you ever experience pain in your Achilles tendon, or any other part of your feet and ankles, call Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center at (919) 850-9111 or request an appointment online and make an appointment today. We frequently have same-day appointments available, and we now have a second location on Blue Ridge Road which may be more convenient for you.

 

Salon Now Open at our Blue Ridge Office

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Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is growing again! Earlier this month we opened our satellite office on Blue Ridge Road, near Rex Hospital and next to Blue Ridge Pharmacy. We’re pleased to announce that we have also opened a salon at our new location! You can now see your foot doctor and get a pedicure at our second location at 2605 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 320, in Raleigh.

Why go to the doctor to have your nails done? For starters, we offer a lot more than a standard nail trim in our onsite nail care salons. A medical pedicure includes a therapeutic foot soak to cleanse and soften your feet while you sit in one of our comfortable salon chairs. Your cuticles will be cleaned and smoothed, your corns and calluses will be trimmed, and your feet will be exfoliated in addition to the nail trim. You can also choose a natural, buffed, or polished nail finish. A full medical pedicure takes about fifty minutes. For more information about our medical pedicures, please visit our website.

Another reason to visit one of our onsite nail care salons is cleanliness. Our equipment and supplies are sterilized using an autoclave, and our program is supervised by our doctors. Other salons might not practice good infection control techniques. That can put you at risk for injury and infections. You can be sure that you’re getting the best care and even some pampering when you visit our onsite nail care salons..

To make an appointment at either of our salons, please call (919) 850-9111 or fill out an online appointment request form and let us know if you would like to be seen at our Millbrook location or our Blue Ridge location.

One of the comfortable pedicure chairs in our nail salon at our Millbrook office.

One of the comfortable pedicure chairs in our nail salon at our Millbrook office.

Plantar Fasciitis!

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It’s happened to everybody. You wake up in the morning feeling great. You think, “Today’s going to be a great day.” That is, until you put your feet on the floor. You get out of bed, and OUCH! Your heel is killing you. Your heel may feel like it’s throbbing, or like it’s bruised. You probably have plantar fasciitis, the leading cause of heel pain. To learn more about what plantar fasciitis is and how you can treat it, watch the video below.

Relieve Your Heel Pain!

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Heel pain – ouch! We’ve all experienced it at some point in our lives. Heel pain conditions vary from plantar fasciitis to heel spurs to Achilles tendinitis. Treatments also vary from taking some time off your feet to rest, trying out some stretching and icing techniques, physical therapy, and taking anti-inflammatory medications.

Another way to relieve heel pain is to wear orthotic shoe inserts. Usually these inserts are cushioned in specific areas to relieve pain and pressure from a particular part of the foot. They could be as small as a foam heel pad or as large as a full-length insole.

If you need to purchase over the counter items for your heels, you should check out Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center’s online store! It is a great way to get all of the over the counter items we provide in our office, without the hassle of stopping in. If you need to order more BioFreeze for your joint pain, or a new set of leather full-length shoe inserts for your heel pain, you can do it all from the comfort of your home! Just visit our online store and browse by the type of product or the condition you suffer from.

For example, if you’re currently suffering from plantar fasciitis, you may want to look at foam heel pads or silicone heel cups to reduce stress and strain on your heels.Or maybe you want to look at our over the counter shoe inserts, which can be three-quarter length or full-length, and range from leather inserts for dress shoes to synthetic inserts for athletic shoes. There are lots of options for whatever your needs are. Visit our online store today!

The doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center have decades of experience diagnosing and treating plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and other conditions that cause heel pain. Call our office at (919) 850-9111 or visit our website today to schedule your appointment and get your feet back to being pain free!

Where did that heel pain come from?!

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Heel pain

You wake up in the morning, swing your feet around the side of your bed, set them on the floor, and – OUCH! Where did that pain in your heel come from? Maybe it’s the shoes you wear to work each day; it could be the extra weight you put on over the holidays; or perhaps it’s all that training for your next big sporting event. There are any number of reasons a person can develop plantar fasciitis. The bottom line is this: your heels hurt, and you want it to stop.

So what can you do about it?

There are about as many treatments for plantar fasciitis as there are causes. You could be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections by your doctor; you could get fitted for a pair of custom orthotic shoe inserts; you could go home from the podiatrist with a list of stretching and icing techniques; or you could be prescribed any number of night splint devices, walking casts, or tape strappings.

Shockwave Treatment

One option that the doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center love to recommend is Shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy is an FDA-approved in-office procedure that treats heel pain. The procedure is non-invasive, which means there is no cutting of the skin. It is a quick procedure that is performed in our office, so that you can get back to work and business as usual without any down time.

Best of all, Shockwave therapy works. The doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center have seen a lot of success with this treatment. To find out more about Shockwave therapy, visit our website.

 

Photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/p8o3sho

Summer Feet!

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Care for your feet in the summer sun!

Sunny days are here, and you know what that means – time to break out your favorite summer clothes and accessories. From sunglasses and flip flops to t shirts and shorts, the possibilities are endless. But remember when you’re heading out to the pool or the beach, or even just for a walk in the sunlight or a round of golf, to put on your sunscreen, even on your feet!

Think about it: for the majority of the year, your feet are covered in shoes and don’t get much exposure to the sun and UV rays. Because your feet are used to being protected, it’s possible they will be more sensitive to the sunlight and more likely to get sunburned. It’s even possible to get burned on the soles of your feet. Ouch!

If you have plans to be outside, remember to put on a sunscreen that offers protection from broad spectrum UVA and UVB rays, and remember to reapply often. There’s nothing worse than discovering you got sunburned feet because you forgot to put on more sunscreen after swimming and toweling off! Also remember to apply sunscreen to your entire foot, even if you are wearing sandals, so you don’t end up with splotchy or striped skin.

Summer shoes come with their own set of problems for your feet. Flip flops, sandals, and other open toed styles expose the feet not just to the sun, but also to dirt, germs, and higher risk for injury. Limit flip flops to the beach, the pool, and public showers only whenever possible. After your outing, be sure to wash your feet in warm and soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent bacterial or fungal infections. You also want to make sure your shoes fit properly and aren’t causing discomfort.

If you do experience any issues with your feet this summer, please contact Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center at (919) 850-9111 and make an appointment. Our doctors have experience treating a wide variety of foot problems and will do their best to get you back on your feet!

Shoe Drive for the Holidays

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Soles4Souls InternationalSoles4Souls Domestic

The Holiday Season is upon us, and with it comes a time of giving and caring. This holiday season, Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is partnering with Soles4Souls to collect shoes for children and adults in need all around the world.

We all have a pair of shoes or two sitting in the back of our closet, unworn in the past year. This year, instead of throwing them out or letting them sit unused, donate them and give the gift of shoes to a child or adult in need.

Throughout the month of November, bring your gently used shoes of any style or size to Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center and drop them in the bin located in our waiting room.

Your old shoes provide new opportunities in your hometown and give new hope in 127 countries around the world.

Soles4Souls is a Non-Profit Organization based out of Tennessee. They work to distribute shoes to people in need both domestically across the United States and internationally in countries all around the world. To learn more about what they do, visit their website.

For more information about the shoe drive, call our office at (919) 850-9111.