Items filtered by date: November 2025

Wearing the right shoes during the work day is essential for maintaining overall health and comfort. Proper footwear can help reduce the risk of foot disorders like plantar fasciitis, bunions, and blisters by providing appropriate support and cushioning. It also promotes better posture, which can diminish lower back pain and improve alignment throughout the body. Comfortable, supportive shoes help decrease fatigue, allowing you to stay energized and focused throughout the day. A podiatrist can assess your foot structure, recommend the best type of footwear for your needs, and provide guidance to prevent pain and injury. If you have foot pain from wearing the wrong shoes during your work day, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on the correct shoes to wear. 

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 contact our offices located in Bettendorf, DeWitt, and Davenport, IA. . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Swollen feet, also known as edema, occur when excess fluid builds up in the tissues of the lower legs and feet. This condition may develop gradually or appear suddenly, causing discomfort, tightness, and a heavy or throbbing sensation. The skin may look shiny, stretched, or discolored, and pressing on the swollen area might leave a noticeable indentation. Common causes include prolonged standing or sitting, injury, and certain medications. Underlying medical conditions, such as vein disease, heart issues, or kidney problems, are other factors. A podiatrist can help determine the cause of swelling through a detailed examination, medical history review, and diagnostic tests. Treatment may include compression therapy, footwear changes, exercises to improve circulation, and lifestyle adjustments. In some cases, additional medical evaluation may be necessary to rule out serious health concerns. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to identify the cause of your swollen feet and find effective relief.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, 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.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

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

The human foot is a complex structure made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These components work together to provide stability, flexibility, and mobility. The foot is divided into three main sections known as the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. The toes or phalanges, and the metatarsals form the forefoot, while the midfoot contains the arches and bones that absorb shock. The hindfoot consists of the heel or calcaneus, and ankle bones, providing support and balance. Muscles and tendons in the foot enable movement, from walking to running, while ligaments help stabilize the joints. The arches of the foot, formed by the bones and supported by muscles and tendons, play a key role in shock absorption and weight distribution. Proper foot function is crucial for overall mobility and posture. A podiatrist can help identify and treat any conditions affecting the foot's bones, muscles, or joints. If you are dealing with a foot condition or foot pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors 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 offices located in Bettendorf, DeWitt, and Davenport, IA. . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Symphalangism is a rare condition where the joints between certain bones are fused, limiting normal movement. In the feet, it often affects the toe joints, most commonly the middle joint of a toe, and results in stiffness and reduced flexibility. Causes may be genetic, as the condition is usually inherited, although it can also develop from abnormal bone growth. Symptoms include rigid toes that do not bend, discomfort while walking, difficulty finding comfortable shoes, and, in some cases, pain from pressure or altered gait. A podiatrist can help by evaluating the severity of the condition, recommending custom orthotics, providing supportive footwear advice, and offering treatment to reduce discomfort. If you have stiff or immobile toes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and offer relief solutions for what may be going on.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, 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.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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