Items filtered by date: June 2024

Excess weight does not just affect your waistline, it also can have a significant impact on the health of your feet. Studies have consistently shown a strong correlation between being overweight and various foot problems. Carrying extra pounds puts undue stress on the feet and can lead to plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, and even stress fractures. Research indicates that people with a higher body mass index, or BMI, are more likely to endure foot pain and disability that affects their ability to exercise and perform daily activities. Obesity alters the gait and increases the risk of joint injuries in the ankles, knees, and hips. Research reveals a stark increase in the likelihood of needing a knee replacement as the BMI rises. Managing weight through healthy diet choices and regular physical activity reduces the strain on your feet, thereby reducing the risk of developing debilitating foot conditions. Practicing good foot hygiene, wearing proper footwear, and seeking professional foot care from a podiatrist are methods to prevent and alleviate foot pain from obesity. If you are overweight and experiencing foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment options. 

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS from Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

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

Foot strengthening exercises are vital for dancers to improve their performance and prevent injuries. Flexing and pointing the feet, done with deliberate control, enhance flexibility and strength in the arches and ankles. Doming, where the arch is lifted without curling the toes, targets the intrinsic foot muscles, promoting better balance and stability. Calf raises, performed slowly, build strength in the calves and Achilles tendons, essential for jumps and relevés. Resistance band exercises, add an extra challenge, improving ankle strength and control. Regular practice of these exercises can lead to stronger, more resilient feet, enabling dancers to execute movements with greater precision and reducing the likelihood of injury. If you have endured a foot injury while dancing, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can treat foot and ankle pain, in addition to guiding you toward effective foot strengthening techniques.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS from Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. Those at higher risk include individuals with curved or thick nails, those who trim their nails improperly, people who wear tight or ill-fitting shoes, and athletes or dancers who frequently stress their feet. Symptoms of ingrown toenails include redness, swelling, pain along the nail edges, and, in severe cases, pus or infection. Common causes are improper nail trimming, trauma to the toenail, and genetic predisposition. To prevent ingrown toenails, trim nails straight across, avoid cutting them too short, and wear shoes that provide adequate space for the toes. Relief for mild cases includes soaking the foot in warm water and keeping the foot clean. If you have severe symptoms of an ingrown toenail or it appears infected, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who may prescribe antibiotics or possibly a minor surgical procedure.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS of Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. 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 Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Fungal toenail infections, although not typically serious, can be quite persistent and challenging to treat. These infections often begin at the edge of the toenail, gradually spreading and causing the nail to become brittle, thickened, and discolored. You may notice your nails turning yellow or white, becoming crumbly, and even lifting off the nail bed, which can be accompanied by swelling and pain. Risk factors include consistently warm and damp feet, wearing tight or non-breathable shoes, and sharing personal items like nail clippers or towels. Untreated fungal toenails can lead to more serious health issues, and for severe or resistant fungal toenail infections, minor surgical procedures to remove the affected nail might be necessary. If you suspect a fungal toenail infection, especially if you have underlying health conditions, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to begin a tailored treatment plan.

For more information about treatment, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS of Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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