Items filtered by date: January 2023

It is well documented that working on the feet throughout the workday can put the feet at risk of developing some kind of affliction or condition, especially if they are not being taken care of. However, in addition to working on the feet all day, individuals who sit down at a desk for the majority of the workday can also pose risks to their feet. These office workers might be reducing the extent to which their feet can facilitate good blood circulation when they sit all day at the desk. To prevent this, an office worker might consider going on brief walks throughout the day to keep the feet and body engaged and in motion. The proven benefits associated with taking brief walking breaks are considerable. If you have questions or want to improve balancing work and your foot health, consider contacting a podiatrist today.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist 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 Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Warts are growths that can form on various parts of the body. Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and grow inward as a result of the weight the feet endure. They generally cause severe pain and discomfort, and walking may become difficult. A wart is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and plantar warts are no different. They can have the appearance of a callus, with small black dots in the center. This particular virus lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, including shower room floors and public swimming pools. It can enter the body through small cuts in the skin on the feet, and it is beneficial to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas. Additional preventive methods consist of keeping the feet as dry as possible, and refraining from sharing towels, shoes, and socks. There are various treatments that can be effective, and it is advised that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the best one is for you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist 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 office located in Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Fatigue and hairline fractures are also known as stress fractures. They are small cracks that happens to one or more bones in the foot from overuse. They can be common among athletes or children who frequently participate in sporting activities.  It can happen from increasing speed and mileage too quickly, in addition to having an abnormal foot structure. Research has shown that patients who have high arches or flat feet may be prone to developing stress fractures, possibly as a result of a lack of shock absorption that comes from the surrounding muscles. Additionally, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly may lead to getting a stress fracture, or it may happen from running on hard surfaces. Relief may be found when the activity that caused the fracture is temporarily ceased, and the affected foot is elevated. If you have endured a stress fracture of the foot, please consult a podiatrist who can offer you effective treatment methods.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

Pregnancy can have a variety of different effects on the feet as the pregnant woman progresses through each trimester of her pregnancy. Plantar fasciitis is one risk factor in the feet associated with pregnancy. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the arch of the feet, becomes significantly inflamed. It is common for an individual who is pregnant to demonstrate some kind of overpronation, which is typical because of the increase in weight gained from the pregnancy. Due to the overpronation, a pregnant individual can ultimately stretch their plantar fascia in a damaging way, eventually resulting in plantar fasciitis. Pregnant women should take extra special care of their feet due to the risk factors associated with pregnancy. Also, keeping the feet healthy and strong can ensure that the feet are less likely to cause some kind of fall in a pregnant woman. Contact a podiatrist today if you are pregnant or are planning to be. 

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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