Items filtered by date: April 2023

Plantar fasciitis is an extremely common affliction of the foot. It affects the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that is found along the sole of the foot. Plantar fasciitis may develop when the plantar fascia becomes irritated and inflamed. This painful foot condition can be caused by many sports and strenuous physical activities, such as soccer. Since soccer requires an athlete to engage in frequent sideways and diagonal cuts while running, extra pressure is exerted on the feet. In particular, the medial heel and arch are subject to a significant amount of force in American soccer players. The risk of plantar fasciitis may be even more pronounced in substitute soccer players who, after initially warming up their bodies, wait on the sidelines for long periods of time. This may cause their muscles to tighten up before playing again and can make an individual more susceptible to plantar fasciitis. If you are a soccer player, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who will be able to provide you with the treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Jill Scholz, DPM  from Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor 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 office located in Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A corn can be painful, despite its small size. They generally develop as a result of excess friction caused by the shoes worn, and the pain can alter the gait, or walking style. Common places for corns to develop can be the side of the pinky toe or on top of the toes. Prevention methods can include wearing shoes and socks that fit correctly, and it may help to moisturize the feet frequently. Many people find comfort in wearing insoles or heel pads in their shoes and soaking the corn in warm water at the end of the day. This may help to soften it and can make it easier to use a pumice stone that can file down small corns. If the corns are recurring, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward additional prevention methods.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Jill Scholz, DPM of Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Sever’s disease affects the heel and arch in young children and teenagers. This age group of people is generally active in participating in running and jumping activities, and the growth plate in the heel is affected. It can be painful at the point where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel, and the surrounding muscles grow faster than the growth plate. The pain is often worse during the chosen activity and may feel better when the foot is rested. Parents may notice their child is limping, and they may have difficulty standing on their tiptoes. A physical examination can be done to confirm this condition, which is followed by treatment that begins with temporarily stopping the activity that caused the pain. Performing stretches that can strengthen the calf muscles may help to accelerate the recovery. If your active child has heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer the best treatment for your child.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Jill Scholz, DPM from Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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

Toe pain can be the result of an injury. A broken toe can cause toe pain and may affect the skin, nerves, and blood vessels. Toe pain may also cause a burning sensation or it may feel numb. Ingrown toenails, bunions, and arthritis are leading causes of toe pain, and some of these conditions may lead to getting an infection if prompt medical attention is not received. Additionally, the foot condition known as hammertoe may cause toe pain which may happen from calluses that form on top of the deformed joints. Gout can be a debilitating foot condition characterized by intense pain in the joints of the big toe. Gout can occur due to excess uric acid in the blood, which converts to crystals and affects the big toe. If you have toe pain for any reason, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can pinpoint the cause and offer you the correct treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Jill Scholz, DPM of Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.