Items filtered by date: April 2023

Stress fractures can occur in the bones of the feet when tiny cracks develop over an extended period due to repetitive force. When determining if a person is able to engage in exercise when recovering from a stress fracture, a medical professional will have to assess the particular circumstances of the individual’s unique case. If the stress fracture is not too severe, your medical professional might suggest engaging in a range of motion exercise. These specific exercises can improve mobility in the foot and ankle region. They should also not cause the patient any pain. Alternatively, someone recovering from a stress fracture might be able to engage in strengthening exercises to rebuild strength in the muscles of the feet. If you are suffering from a stress fracture in the feet, it is recommended that you contact a podiatrist today for treatment and advice. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Eddy Caldwell from Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor 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 office located in Jonesboro, AR . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you are a senior citizen or are currently caring for one, then it might be important to remember that doing what you can to prevent falls can help maintain proper foot health. This is because suffering a fall can lead to foot injuries and other conditions in a senior. In order to prevent falls, you might consider the potential benefits of adding installations in the senior’s home. For example, installing certain objects around the home, such as handrails on both sides of the stairwell, can give a senior extra support when navigating the stairs. Additionally, the installation of grab bars in the shower or tub may help senior citizens support themselves and gain balance when bathing. Lastly, and importantly, you might consider installing a raised toilet seat that has armrests to provide ample stability for the senior when using the restroom. All of these installations might serve to increase the senior’s stability and decrease the likelihood of suffering from a fall. It is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today for more information about preventing falls. 

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Eddy Caldwell from Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Although cuboid syndrome may not be as well-known as conditions such as plantar fasciitis to novices to the field of podiatry, it is still a widespread foot condition that is important to be aware of. Cuboid syndrome can develop in an individual when the cuboid bone, located on the outside of the center of the foot, moves out of alignment. As a result, a patient may experience some amount of pain. There are several risk factors that are associated with cuboid syndrome, which may make an individual more predisposed to developing the condition. Namely, being overweight can increase one’s chance of developing cuboid syndrome. Also, spraining the foot or training on surfaces that are uneven can increase the risk of cuboid syndrome. Additionally, wearing ill-fitting shoes can make cuboid syndrome more likely. If you believe that you might have cuboid syndrome, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today for treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Dr. Eddy Caldwell from Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Swollen feet can be uncomfortable. It can be common among pregnant women or from an underlying health condition. These can consist of heart failure, kidney disease, or venous insufficiency. Additionally, many people notice their feet may become swollen after eating salty foods or after standing or sitting for extended periods. One of the reasons that swollen feet may cause discomfort is a result of stretched skin. This can lead to wounds that may develop from the skin tearing and may become infected. Effective relief methods may include limiting foods with large amounts of sodium and increasing mobility daily. Some people find it helpful to wear compression socks, which may prevent fluid from collecting in the feet and ankles. If you have swollen feet, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Eddy Caldwell of Foot Care of Northeast Arkansas, P.A.. Our doctor 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 feel free to contact our office located in Jonesboro, AR . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.