Items filtered by date: September 2024

The Achilles tendon links your calf muscles to your heel and is extremely susceptible to injuries, especially in people who are physically active. Achilles tendinopathy involves chronic microtears in the tendon. Acute ruptures occur when the tendon may partially or fully tear, which may feel like a sudden blow to the ankle. Symptoms range from pain and stiffness in the back of the heel to swelling and difficulty walking. Contributing factors include sudden increases in activity, wearing poor footwear, and tight calf muscles. Relief often involves keeping weight off the affected ankle, which may require crutches. Stretching and strengthening exercises and orthotics or foot taping can also provide support. In cases of a complete tear, urgent medical attention is required, and a podiatrist might recommend wearing a specially fitted boot to control ankle movement. If you have injured your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners 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 offices located in Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe surgery is a procedure to correct a deformity where a toe bends downward abnormally. Before surgery, expect a thorough consultation with your podiatrist, including a physical examination and imaging tests to assess the extent of the deformity. The procedure is typically outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day. During surgery, you will receive local anesthesia to numb the area. The doctor may remove a small piece of bone or realign tendons and ligaments to straighten the toe. Post-surgery, your foot will be bandaged, and you may need to wear a special shoe or boot for several weeks to protect the toe. Recovery involves rest, keeping your foot elevated, and avoiding putting weight on the affected area initially. Pain and swelling are common but manageable with prescribed medications. If you have had hammertoe surgery, follow-up appointments with a podiatrist are strongly suggested to monitor healing.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that are located outside of the brain and spinal cord, preventing communication with the extremities. Diabetes often causes peripheral neuropathy. However, it can also occur due to genetics, infections, injuries, hormonal imbalances, or other medical conditions. Peripheral neuropathy may cause numbness, weakness, muscle twitching, or cramps in the feet. It may also cause changes in nails, skin, and hair, and often results in a pins-and-needles sensation in the legs and feet. Peripheral neuropathy may affect the balance and prevent your ability to recognize temperature changes or pain. You may also experience disturbances in your emotions and sleep patterns. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested you contact a podiatrist. They can help diagnose peripheral neuropathy and manage its symptoms with oral medications, orthotic devices, regular checkups, and advice on proper foot care.

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 Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners 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 Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bones that develop over time, often due to repetitive force or overuse, and are common to runners and other athletes. One of the main symptoms of a foot stress fracture is tenderness, where the injured bone feels painful to touch. Known as pinpoint pain, this can be accompanied by deep, dull pain that seems to originate from within the foot or toes. You may also experience weakness in the affected area, leading to reduced performance in daily activities. Intermittent pain is typical, intensifying during weight-bearing activities, like walking or running, and diminishing with rest. Swelling is another sign of stress fractures, usually visible on the top portion of the foot due to injury to a metatarsal bone. Changes in biomechanics, such as altered walking or running patterns to avoid pressure on the painful area, may also occur. Sharp, localized pain might be felt when putting weight on the foot, particularly in more severe injuries, and bruising may be present, causing reddish, bluish, or purplish discoloration. A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating foot stress fractures, which can be difficult to detect through an X-ray alone. Digital imaging tests, such as an MRI scan may be required. If you believe you may have a foot stress fracture, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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