Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes heel pain. When the fascia, or band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes, becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause pain in the heel. This condition is usually most painful when walking after sleeping or being off one’s feet for a lengthy time. Plantar fasciitis usually occurs because of poor weight distribution in the foot or after excessive and prolonged use. It is most apt to happen to those who run long distances or spend a lot of time on their feet. Risk factors include tight calf muscles, advanced age, poor arch support, being overweight, or wearing footwear that lacks proper support. One can try to relieve discomfort by staying off of their feet, icing the affected area, stretching the foot and calf, and wearing comfortable, supportive shoes and insoles. Compression socks might also be helpful. If you think you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, consult with a podiatrist who can ensure a proper diagnosis and provide effective treatment.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Standing all day while working can lead to pain, swelling, and long-term foot complications. That is why it is vital to use scheduled work breaks to elevate your feet, and take other precautionary measures to mitigate the damages working on your feet can cause to your feet and ankles. The best line of defense starts with proper footwear. Invest in a good pair (or two) of work shoes that provide proper support in the ankle and heels, plenty of cushioning, and stability. Your podiatrist can recommend other specific features to look for, based on the structure of your feet. They can also create custom orthotics to address any specific structural or alignment issues you may have which may cause pain and stress in other areas of your body. There are certain stretches and exercises your podiatrist may also suggest to stretch your feet, calf muscles and Achilles tendon. They may also recommend compression stockings to help stimulate circulation in your feet and reduce swelling. After a long day standing on the job, it is important to help your feet and ankles recover. Pamper your feet by soaking them in a warm bath. Massaging your feet and/or icing them may help to reduce swelling and soothe sore muscles. Contact a podiatrist near you to learn more about protecting your hard working feet on the job.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors 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 offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Running shoes are worn for various reasons that can range from training for a marathon to getting in shape. The right shoes will fit correctly from the beginning and will not need a break-in period. It helps to wear shoes that have approximately a half inch of space between the top of the shoe and the top of the toe. This can help to improve comfort as running can negatively impact the feet. A shoe that fits slightly tighter is the running preference for speed. This type of shoe may provide a heel that is form-fitting and can hold the foot in place easily. It is important to be aware of the kind of arch the foot has and there are different types of running shoes that can be accommodating. Neutral running shoes will benefit those people who have medium arches and offer added shock absorption. People who have low or flat arches may want to choose stability running shoes as they may be helpful in minimizing overpronation. Motion control shoes can help runners who have excessive pronation since these shoes can help to stabilize the foot. A podiatrist is qualified in determining what type of running shoes are best for you, and it is suggested that you speak with this type of doctor who can provide you with correct information.

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Admittedly, selecting the right shoe size can feel difficult and somewhat intimidating. However, it is still an important task that can be critical to maintaining the overall health of your feet. For example, selecting tight or ill-fitting footwear can make the foot repeatedly rub against the shoe material, which can potentially lead to foot complications. To select the right shoe size, first, you can consider bringing a tracing of your foot with you to the shoe store. On a piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot with a pencil. When considering shoes to try on at the store, you can place the shoe on the paper. If the shoe is smaller than the outline of your foot, then immediately move on to consider another pair of shoes. Second, to select the ideal shoe size for you, you might consider wearing the same kind of socks while you are shoe shopping that you would ultimately wear with the shoes. This is important because if you normally prefer to wear thick socks, yet you try on shoes with no socks or very thin socks, you might find that the shoes eventually feel tighter than you would like. Being an expert shoe shopper is certainly something that takes practice. For more information on how you can select the right shoe size, consult with a podiatrist.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Morton’s neuroma is a potentially uncomfortable and painful condition that primarily affects the nerves in one’s feet. This condition occurs when the nerve between the third and fourth toe becomes damaged. Although it is significantly less common, Morton’s neuroma can also affect the nerve between the second and third toe. The precise cause of Morton’s neuroma is still not fully known. However, footwear that is too tight and forces your toes into abnormal positions is generally thought to increase your risk of developing Morton’s neuroma. If you have Morton’s neuroma, you might find it more difficult to walk. Additionally, activities that require putting pressure on the feet can cause sharp or shooting pains. For example, someone with Morton’s neuroma may find it especially difficult to use the affected foot to press down the gas pedal when driving. Lastly, wearing high heels might prove to be especially uncomfortable or painful for someone with Morton’s neuroma. If you believe that you have this condition, please contact a podiatrist to treat the problem.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.