Foot or ankle pain can negatively affect your day-to-day life and can occur due to several different conditions. Pain can also be an indicator of a more serious underlying condition, which is why you should seek professional help as soon as you notice any abnormalities in your feet.
Gout is a painful inflammatory condition that commonly affects the foot, most often the big toe. It is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood, which forms sharp crystals inside the joint. The area may look red, shiny, and warm, sometimes with tight or stretched skin. It often feels like sudden intense pain, burning, and extreme tenderness that can make walking or even light contact uncomfortable. Symptoms frequently begin at night and may come on suddenly. Causes include dehydration, kidney problems, and diets high in purines such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol. A podiatrist can help from the start by evaluating symptoms, confirming the diagnosis through examination and imaging, and coordinating lab testing when needed. Treatment may begin with pain and inflammation control, footwear guidance, and activity modification, then move into long-term management, education, and preventive care. If you are dealing with gout, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one our of podiatrists from The Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.
People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.
Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Houston and Deer Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Heel pain often begins when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes overstressed. This tissue, termed the plantar fascia, supports the arch and helps absorb force with every step. Over time, repeated strain near the heel bone can lead to painful tears called plantar fasciitis, a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one. Pain is felt at the bottom or inner side of the heel and is sharp with the first steps after rest, then worsens again after long periods on the feet. Risk factors include flat feet, high arches, limited ankle motion, prolonged standing, running, and shoes with inadequate support, like frequent use of flip-flops. A podiatrist can evaluate foot structure, gait, and ankle flexibility to confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate care, or, in persistent cases, suggest surgery. For help with foot problems, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one our of podiatrists from The Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.
Prevention
There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Houston and Deer Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Webbed toes, also known as syndactyly, occur when two or more toes are joined by skin or soft tissue. Surgery for webbed toes is designed to separate the toes and improve their appearance and function. This treatment may be needed when webbing causes discomfort, limits shoe wear, affects balance, or creates hygiene concerns between the toes. During the procedure, the podiatric surgeon carefully separates the toes and reshapes the skin to allow proper healing and movement. A podiatrist helps by evaluating the condition, discussing treatment options, performing or coordinating surgical care, and guiding recovery with wound care and targeted exercises. If webbed toes are causing pain, functional problems, or self-concern, it is suggested that you schedule a podiatry consultation to learn whether surgical correction is appropriate for you.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one our of podiatrists of The Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Houston and Deer Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Finding the right shoes to accommodate hammertoes can be challenging. People with high arches often get hammertoes, in which the knuckle of a toe raises up and rubs against the top of your shoe, or the tip of the toe curls under and rubs against the sole of your shoe. In either case, ill-fitting shoes, whether they are too tight or too loose, can make the problem worse. High heels should be avoided because they cause your toes to bunch up into the front of the shoe. At the same time, very flat shoes are also a problem because they offer little or no cushioning or arch support. Finally, pointed and narrow shoes place a lot of pressure on the forefoot and toe area. To best accommodate hammertoes, look for shoes that come in wide widths, have a roomy toe box, and have flexible uppers that mold to the shape of your foot. Shoes that offer cushioning, good arch support, and stable heels are a wise choice. If hammertoe pain and inflammation persist, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss treatment options available to you.
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one our of podiatrists of The Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Treatment
If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Houston and Deer Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
