Items filtered by date: April 2023

Due to the nature of their employment, many people across the country must spend the vast majority of the workday standing on their feet. This could potentially pose problems for pregnant women. Specifically, pregnant women who stand for the entire workday may notice poor circulation in their feet, in addition to increased swelling, or edema. If you are a pregnant woman and must stand for long periods of time during the workday, it is wise to consider taking breaks throughout the day to sit down. Perhaps you may consider resting for 15-minute intervals. Keeping yourself hydrated may also be helpful, and it is beneficial to refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages. If you are pregnant and working on your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for helpful relief tactics.  

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner 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 office located in Erie, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The foot has 26 bones, and numerous tendons and ligaments. An infant’s feet are made of soft cartilage, and wearing shoes and socks that fit correctly can help to maintain their natural shape. It is interesting to know that a child’s foot will grow to approximately half of their adult foot size in the first year, making it an important developmental stage. A good foot care routine for your child can start with washing and drying their feet thoroughly.  Trimming the toenails regularly is important, and parents should follow the line of the toenail and refrain from cutting them too short. Many parents choose to have their children walk barefoot while indoors, and this may be beneficial in strengthening the overall foot. When it is time to purchase shoes when walking is done outdoors, it is helpful to choose shoes that are supportive. If you have questions about your child’s foot development, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can address any concerns you may have.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM of Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

There is a narrow passageway that is found inside the ankle and is connected by soft tissue and bone. This is known as the tarsal tunnel, and the posterior tibial nerve is located within this area. Tarsal tunnel syndrome may develop if this nerve becomes damaged, and may happen if there is consistent pressure. The symptoms that patients notice are sharp pain, and a tingling or burning sensation. There may be existing medical conditions that may lead to the development of tarsal tunnel syndrome. These can consist of having flat feet, diabetes, or inflammation from arthritis. A proper diagnosis consists of having a Tinel’s sign test performed. This is done by pressing the affected nerve with the intention of triggering symptoms that represent tarsal tunnel syndrome. Resting the foot can bring temporary relief, and it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can offer options for permanent relief.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM of Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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

If an individual does not take proper care of the bones in the feet, then they could be subject to many different conditions. For example, bones may break or fracture. They could even be subject to a stress fracture. In particular, the bones in the feet might also be dislocated. A dislocation can form when the bones in the joint are completely separate. As a result, the bones can move out of their natural position. This dislocation phenomenon can occur in the bones of the toes. If there is a case of a dislocated toe, then a medical professional might treat this in several different ways. For example, the dislocated toe might be addressed by wearing a splint or cast. The affected toe may also be addressed by buddy-taping it to another toe. If you are someone that is concerned about dislocated toes, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who will be able to help you with the correct treatment options.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner 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 office located in Erie, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.