Items filtered by date: December 2022

A stress fracture is considered to be a hairline fracture, and many people ignore the subtle pain that comes from it. It generally happens to people who have an active lifestyle, and interrupting their daily routine is needed to ensure proper healing. Runners who increase speed and mileage too quickly may be prone to getting a stress fracture, or it may happen from existing medical conditions. These can include osteoporosis, high arches, or flat feet. A stress fracture can occur in the metatarsals, which are what the bones are referred to in the toes. This is considered to be the most common type of stress fracture, and it happens as a result of pushing off while walking and running. Resting the affected foot is the first step in making a complete recovery, and wearing a protective boot or cast may be necessary in accelerating the healing process. If you have endured a stress fracture of the foot, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat this condition.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Manisha Mehta, DPM from Detroit, MI. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

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

What Are Stress Fractures?

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

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

Symptoms

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

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

Many pregnant women notice their growing fetus produces several changes to the body. The feet are often affected, and can become swollen as the pregnancy progresses. It is considered to be an uncomfortable but normal part of pregnancy, and some women may need to buy larger shoes during this time. Swollen feet during pregnancy can happen as a result of extra pressure that is put on the blood vessels, which carry the blood from the legs to the heart. Fluid retention can happen from this, and the medical term for this is known as edema. Additionally, the feet may become larger from the hormone relaxin, which is responsible for loosening the ligaments in the feet. There are effective methods that can help to manage swollen feet during this time. These can consist of drinking plenty of water, limiting sodium intake, and frequently elevating the feet. Additionally, it may help to refrain from crossing the legs, and wearing support stockings may help to limit fluid retention. If you have concerns about how pregnancy can affect the feet, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Manisha Mehta, DPM from Detroit, MI. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

When the skin on the feet is exposed to friction or pressure, circles of hard, thick skin, called corns can develop. These usually come on the sides and tops of the toes or between the toes. Wearing shoes without socks and the rubbing this can cause on feet while walking, running, or standing for long periods of time can contribute to the development of corns. Proper foot care goes a long way in preventing corns. Washing, drying, and using moisturizer on the feet each day is imperative. Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well. If you get a corn, you can soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes and then use a pumice stone to gently massage it to help remove dead skin cells and try to alleviate pain. Once this is done, it might help to put a cotton ball soaked in castor oil over the corn and secure it with a bandage. Doing this each day may help the corn heal. If using such methods does not resolve the issue, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer you additional treatment options.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Manisha Mehta, DPM of Detroit, MI. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

The feet are wonderfully complex parts of the human body. One thing that makes them so complex and interesting is the many different bones that are found in the foot. The feet are composed of 26 different bones that are located throughout the three main areas of the foot known as the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot. In the forefoot, five metatarsals and their phalanges make up the toes of the feet. These provide critical balancing services to the feet. The midfoot contains bones that are more irregular in shape than the forefoot. For example, in the midfoot, one can find bones such as the medial cuneiform, the lateral cuneiform, and the cuboid bone. Lastly, the hindfoot contains only two bones, the talus, and the calcaneus. Importantly, the calcaneus bone makes up the heel, or back of the foot. If you are interested in learning more about the many different bones of the foot, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Manisha Mehta, DPM from Detroit, MI. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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