Caring for your feet is important to your overall wellness for several reasons. First, healthy feet support movement and balance, allowing you to stay active. Poor foot health can lead to pain and reduced mobility, which can affect your daily activities. Additionally, feet play a key role in maintaining proper posture. Issues like flat feet or bunions can cause misalignment and strain on your joints and muscles. Good foot care also promotes better circulation, ensuring that blood flow is optimal, which is vital for your overall health. Regular attention to your feet can help prevent common problems like calluses, corns, and fungal infections, reducing discomfort and potential complications. Moreover, feet can serve as indicators of other health issues, such as diabetes or heart conditions, so monitoring their health can help detect problems early. If you have foot problems or wish to enhance your foot care regimen, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Robert Dunne, DPM from Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

A bruised heel, also known as a heel contusion, occurs when the heel experiences trauma or impact, leading to damage of the soft tissues and blood vessels. This condition often results from activities that involve jumping, running, or walking on hard surfaces. Symptoms typically include localized pain, swelling, and tenderness on the heel. The area may also appear discolored due to internal bleeding. The pain is usually sharp and may worsen with pressure or movement. Relief for a bruised heel involves rest to avoid aggravating the injury, and performing gentle stretching exercises to promote healing. Pain relief medication can help manage discomfort. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation, and to rule out more serious injuries.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Robert Dunne, DPM of Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Melbourne and Palm Bay, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Achilles tendinopathy, or Achilles pain, is common among athletes, particularly in sports involving running, jumping, and sudden changes in direction. It occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes overworked due to repetitive strain, often from overtraining, poor technique, or wearing inadequate footwear. Athletes in sports like basketball, soccer, or track and field are especially prone. Symptoms include stiffness and pain along the back of the heel, particularly after physical activity or intense workouts. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to chronic pain or even a tendon rupture, sidelining athletes for extended periods of time. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination and sometimes imaging like ultrasound or MRI scans to determine the severity. Treatment focuses on rest. For prevention, athletes should engage in proper warm-up, cooldown routines, and wearing the right footwear. If you engage in sports and have incurred an Achilles tendon injury, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and care.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Robert Dunne, DPM of Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor 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
• Plantar Fasciosis
• 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 feel free to contact our offices located in Melbourne and Palm Bay, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar warts are benign growths that appear on the soles of the feet due to a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. These warts often develop on weight-bearing areas, such as the heels or balls of the feet, that make walking uncomfortable. Symptoms typically include small, rough, and grainy lesions that may have tiny black dots within them. They can also cause pain or discomfort when standing or walking. Plantar warts spread through direct contact with the virus, which thrives in warm, moist environments, like swimming pools or communal showers. The virus enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions. Maintaining good foot hygiene and avoiding walking barefoot in public places can help reduce the risk of contracting and spreading plantar warts. If you have developed a plantar wart, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can treat it accordingly.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Robert Dunne, DPM from Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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