Items filtered by date: February 2023

Due to the nature of their employment, some individuals may be more at risk of developing various foot conditions. Cashiers are an example of one such employee. Since cashiers spend most of the workday standing on their feet, they are at an increased risk of developing some kind of foot condition. There are many ways that cashiers might be able to mitigate this risk. First, and most importantly, cashiers can see a podiatrist for individualized, high-quality care for their foot and ankle needs. Second, cashiers should distribute their weight evenly throughout their feet. This means not putting more weight on one foot or leg than another. Third, the cashier might consider breaking up the day by alternating between sitting, walking, and standing whenever possible. If you are a cashier and are concerned about maintaining the health of the feet, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today. 

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are bones that are found inside the muscle under the big toe called the sesamoid bones. Their function is to act as a shock absorber for the ball of the foot, and sesamoiditis may happen if they become inflamed. This can result from excess force while running and jumping and can cause pain and discomfort. Additional reasons why this condition can occur from stumbling or slipping or if the toe suddenly bends upward. Further, having an abnormal foot structure or frequently wearing high heels may cause sesamoiditis to develop. Common symptoms associated with this condition include pain while pushing off when walking or running, and swelling surrounding the big toe. Relief may be felt when the foot is elevated, and orthotics are worn that can help to support the foot as it heals. If you have pain under the big toe, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can correctly diagnose and treat sesamoiditis.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Bunions can be particularly difficult for runners to deal with, as the big toe absorbs a great deal of force with every step taken. Luckily, there are a few measures that a runner with bunions can practice to reduce the effect of having this toe deformity. A bunion develops when the bottom of the big toe juts outward and the top of the big toe is pushed inward toward the other toes. This shift in bone structure then affects other parts of the foot and can lead to metatarsal pain in the ball of the foot, blisters, corns, and other painful foot or toe problems. Rest, orthotics, and ice are some ways to alleviate the pain of runners with bunions. But bunion surgery is often the last resort. Recovery time can be up to three months, and wearing protective boots or some type of cast is often recommended. A podiatrist can offer a realistic time frame for recovery from bunion surgery and recommend a plan for getting back to running. If your bunions are making running more and more painful, please consult a podiatrist for treatment options.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Another name for neuropathy is nerve damage. Common symptoms that neuropathy causes are total numbness or a tingling sensation in the feet. The feet may also turn blue and feel cold. This is a condition that is prevalent among diabetic patients, and the lack of feeling on the soles of the feet calls for a need to check the feet daily for cuts that may have developed. Patients who have chronic alcoholism may be at an increased risk for developing this condition, in addition to people who have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Neuropathy falls into three categories, consisting of mono, poly, and distal symmetric polyneuropathy. The former is generally caused by an injury, and affects one nerve. Multiple nerves are affected in patients who have polyneuropathy, and may create blood pressure or gastrointestinal symptoms. The latter may be more prevalent among people who have diabetes, and the upper extremities may become affected. If your feet are numb, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat neuropathy.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.