Items filtered by date: August 2024

The Achilles tendon, located at the back of the ankle, connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It plays an important role in walking, running, and jumping, bearing the brunt of physical activity. The tendon has a relatively poor blood supply, making it more susceptible to injury and slower to heal. An Achilles tendon rupture occurs when the tendon tears, often during sudden, forceful movements like jumping or sprinting. This injury is most common in men aged 30 to 50, especially those who engage in intense physical activity without adequate warm-up. Symptoms include a sudden, sharp pain in the back of the ankle, often accompanied by a popping sound, followed by difficulty walking. While similar pain might be due to conditions like bursitis, a rupture is more serious. If untreated, it can lead to long-term disability. Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam and imaging tests. Treatment options range from immobilization with a cast to surgical repair, depending on the severity of the rupture. If you have sustained a painful injury to your Achilles tendon, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist as quickly as possible for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment methods.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM of Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Tuscon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

There are a lot of issues and injuries that can impact the foot, therefore it is important to make sure that you are wearing shoes that fit correctly. Shoes should be comfortable and supportive while also cushioning the foot. One way to ensure this is to purchase shoes that are specifically made for the physical activity you are doing. Another thing that can be done to ensure that shoes fit correctly is by purchasing them at the end of the day. This is because that is when your feet are the largest. The toes should be able to comfortably wiggle in the shoes, and the heel should comfortably be gripped. If you have questions about making sure you’re wearing the right shoes, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist. 

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Barbara J. Aung, DPM from Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. This condition most commonly affects the big toe. Ingrown toenails can result from improper nail trimming, wearing tight or narrow shoes, injury to the toe, or genetic factors that cause nails to curve naturally. If you experience severe pain, significant swelling, pus, or signs of infection, or if mild treatments, such as soaking the foot and wearing comfortable shoes, do not alleviate the symptoms, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and effective treatment solutions.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM of Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Metatarsal stress fractures, affecting the long bones in the foot, can vary in severity and type. Stress fractures, common in athletes and runners, result from repetitive impact or overuse, causing tiny cracks in the bone. These types of fractures typically develop gradually, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling that worsen with activity. Overuse, such as prolonged walking or running on hard surfaces without adequate rest, increases the risk of foot stress fractures. Proper diagnosis through imaging and treatment, including rest, immobilization, and sometimes surgery, is essential for recovery and preventing long-term complications associated with metatarsal fractures. If you have foot pain and believe you may have a stress fracture, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat this type of foot injury.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Barbara J. Aung, DPM from Aung Foot Health Clinic . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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