Obese children are subject to high stress on their growing feet, which can lead to developing a structural foot deformity. In a study of obese children, flat feet, a limited range of motion in the ankle, and greater pain were more prevalent among them. It is beneficial that losing weight is a goal for obese children if they want to walk, run, and participate in activities pain free. A healthy diet geared towards weight loss and participating in exercise are the best ways to lose weight.  Subjecting feet to more pressure over time can lead to chronic foot problems. If your child is overweight or obese, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can help them choose the right footwear, in addition to recommending an exercise plan that will help them lose excess weight.

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 Abeer M. Foteh, DPM from Greater Houston Foot Centers. 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 Baytown, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Running is great for staying in shape, and many people enjoy this type of exercise on a regular basis. For that reason, keeping the feet healthy and free of injury is paramount to running pain free. People with flat feet or high arches, or people who overpronate, may be more at risk for typical foot injuries caused by running. Probably the most common foot injury in runners is plantar fasciitis. This inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs from the toes to the heels, can cause excruciating heel pain. It is likely to be caused by overtraining and is considered a repetitive stress type of injury. Resting the feet, performing suggested exercises, and taking anti-inflammatory medication can help. Metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the foot, is another common runner’s injury. It is caused by exerting too much pressure on the long bones of the foot. Also common to runners is a condition called Morton’s neuroma, where the nerves in the foot become entrapped by fibrous tissue. This can cause burning and tingling, numbness, or shooting pain. If you are an avid runner, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist if you experience these types of injuries. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Abeer M. Foteh, DPM of Greater Houston Foot Centers. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

The heel is generally the first thing that hits the ground when you take a step. Since walking is something that people do throughout the day, heel pain can easily develop. And if you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, just walking from one room to another can become painful. Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel. Tiny tears cause swelling, stiffness, and pain, especially in the back of the heel. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue that runs under the sole of the foot develops tears, causing extreme pain felt mainly in the heel. It is thought to be an overuse injury, largely the result of overtraining. Plus, bone spurs can develop along with plantar fasciitis, increasing the pain felt when walking. A number of other conditions can cause heel pain when you walk. Included are bursitis, stress fractures, and compression of the nerves at the back of the ankle and heel. If heel pain while walking becomes persistent or worsens, it is suggested that you seek the attention of a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer treatment options.  

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Abeer M. Foteh, DPM of Greater Houston Foot Centers. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Baytown, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A bunion is easy to notice. The medical term is called hallux valgus, and it is a bulge on the side or base of the big toe. It is considered to be one of the most common types of foot conditions and can be caused by several reasons. These can include genetic factors, wearing shoes that do not have enough room for the toes to move freely, or having an abnormal foot structure. Existing medical conditions such as arthritis may affect the bones in the toes, which may ultimately lead to getting a bunion. If the bunion is severe, it may cause the other toes to shift toward each other, and calluses and corns may form on top of the toes. A bunion is considered to be a deformity, and relief may come from wearing shoes that fit correctly. Additionally, some people choose to wear a protective pad over the bunion. If you have developed this condition, please contact a podiatrist who may offer surgery as a solution for permanent removal.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Abeer M. Foteh, DPM of Greater Houston Foot Centers. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

Chronic foot wounds can leave one open to infection, pain, and other problems. Foot ulcers that are slow to heal can be a complication of diabetes. These can become quite serious and put one at risk for amputation if not dealt with immediately. When a diabetic suffers from peripheral arterial disease or PAD, it can interfere with feeling normal sensations, including pain that might be felt on the feet. Practicing daily foot care, with careful examinations of the feet, help in finding such wounds and caring for them. When foot wounds are inflamed, white cells gather in the wound. These cells fight off infection and recruit other immune cells to promote tissue healing. If this process does not go as planned, healing is slow or stuck in this phase. Research has shown that sometimes the white cell process goes awry in diabetics and healing is delayed. More research needs to be done on why this is so. In the meanwhile, it is important for diabetics to be under the care of a podiatrist to treat such wounds and prevent them from causing serious problems.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Abeer M. Foteh, DPM from Greater Houston Foot Centers. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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