Pickleball is one of the most popular sports people are playing now because it is slower and has a lower intensity compared to other sports. However, despite it seeming to be an easier form of exercise, injuries to all parts of the body can still be sustained. Ailments from pickleball related to the feet are commonly associated with the Achilles tendon and ankles. An Achilles strain involves the tendon in the back of the ankle that connects the calf to the heel. This can happen from the sudden stop-and-go actions in pickleball and can be accompanied by a sharp, snapping feeling. Ankle sprains are injuries to the ligaments on the side of the ankle and are typically caused by missteps or faulty landings. Wearing well-fitting and supportive footwear, warming up before playing pickleball, performing stretching and strengthening exercises regularly, and using ankle braces can help. If you get injured during pickleball or any other sport, it is important to rest. If pain persists or worsens, see a podiatrist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan so you can return to pain-free play.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact James P. Huish, DPM of Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

Some afflictions of the foot are known as congenital conditions, which are present in an individual’s feet from birth. Congenital vertical talus is one such condition. This affliction occurs when the talus bone in the foot has essentially grown in the incorrect posture, causing other nearby foot bones to shift on top of the talus bone. Interestingly, the exact cause of this rare congenital foot condition is still elusive. Individuals living with congenital vertical talus may experience any number of symptoms, including abnormalities in the muscles of the feet, pain in the foot, and a stiffened Achilles tendon. This condition may affect either one foot or both feet. As a result of congenital vertical talus, the front of the foot may point upwards. If you want to learn more about congenital vertical talus, make an appointment with a podiatrist today. 

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact James P. Huish, DPM of Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

The foot condition that is known as gout is a form of arthritis that affects millions of Americans. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood, and can happen from genetic reasons, or from eating foods that have high levels of purines. These include shellfish, red meat, or drinks that are made with large amounts of sugar. The pain comes from crystals that lodge in the joints of the big toe, and can cause extreme difficulty in completing daily activities. In severe cases, many patients report they must crawl up the steps as a result of the debilitating pain, and often require immediate medical attention. Additional symptoms of gout can consist of redness and swelling surrounding the affected joints, and there may be large lumps under the skin that are referred to as tophi. These are typically painless, and may develop into chronic bouts of gout if left untreated. Gout is a painful foot condition, and it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist if you have the beginning signs of joint pain in the big toe. 

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

High heels are undoubtedly a significantly popular footwear fashion choice made by women across the world. Despite their popularity, excessive use of high heels can wreak havoc on your feet. Due to their structure which features a narrow toe box, high heels can cause a variety of foot ailments that you ought to be aware of. Besides just causing foot pain, high heels can also lead to lower back pain and knee pain. In particular, high heels have a damaging tendency of making one susceptible to ankle sprains. When high heels are worn on uneven surfaces (i.e. cobblestone), the chances of falling or tripping increase markedly. If an individual falls while wearing high heels, they may land awkwardly on their ankle or twist it in some way, eventually suffering from an ankle sprain. Falling in this way might also lead to broken ankles and perhaps bruised knees. To avoid suffering these injuries, one might consider walking with high heels only on even surfaces. Additionally, one could consider limiting the time that they spend wearing this kind of footwear. It is simply an unfortunate truth that, like flip flops, high heels can be a potentially damaging kind of footwear. If you are worried about how high heels affect your feet, consult with your local podiatrist.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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