Items filtered by date: March 2022

High heeled shoes, often worn by women, can cause irritation to the back of the heel. This condition is known as Haglund’s deformity, or pump bump and can eventually lead to other problems, such as Achilles’ tendonitis or bursitis. Those who have high arches or tight Achilles tendons are especially vulnerable to pump bump from high heels. Not only is this a painful condition but the heel can swell and become red. Treatments include icing the back of the heel, anti-inflammatory medications, heel lifts in shoes, and stretching exercises. The best prevention is avoiding high heels. Should pain and discomfort from pump bumps persist, a visit to a podiatrist is suggested.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Amir Shalev, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor 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 Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot damage is frequent among ballet dancers. Such injuries from ballet can include broken and ingrown toenails, blisters, bunions, corns, and strain from balancing one’s entire weight on their toes (dancing on pointe), as well as ankle injuries from jumping and lifting. With repeated movement and not enough rest, these can be minor issues that   turn into serious problems, like ulcerated sores, stress fractures, and complete breaks. Regular visits to a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment of foot problems from dancing is important, as are follow-through and allowing time for proper healing.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Amir Shalev, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. 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 office located in Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A common cause of a toe sprain is direct impact – bumping into something hard or dropping something heavy on the toe – which can injure the ligaments in the joint. The first thing to do is employ the RICE method of treatment: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest: Try to stay off the foot as much as possible. Ice: This action helps reduce both pain and swelling. Compression: Unless it is the big toe, it is tough to wrap the injured area, so you may need to tape the injured toe to one next to it, being careful not to further injure the sore toe. Elevation: Keeping the foot up helps improve blood circulation and further reduces swelling. Healing should take a few days, depending on how much damage was done. If pain persists, it’s a good idea to contact a podiatrist who can examine the area and suggest more extensive treatment options. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Amir Shalev, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Sever’s disease, despite its name, is actually an injury. Common in active children between the ages of 8 and 14, Sever’s disease refers to the inflammation of the growth plates in a child’s heels. This causes heel pain that can make walking, running, and jumping difficult. Sever’s disease is treated conservatively, through simple and noninvasive methods. If your child has Sever’s disease, they should rest their injured foot as much as possible, limiting any high impact activities that can put pressure on the foot. Inflammation can be reduced by applying ice to the injured heel and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Stretching the calves gently can help increase flexibility and improve recovery. You can protect the heel by wearing comfortable shoes ,or orthotics, and resume normal activities slowly and carefully to avoid re-injury. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Amir Shalev, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle 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 Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

A bunion is a bumpy outgrowth that develops at the joint of the big toe as a result of a deformity known as hallux valgus. The most common symptom is the big toe pushing inward toward the second toe, thereby pushing the joint out of alignment and causing the bump. The main cause is wearing shoes that are pointy or too tight in the toe box. Tight shoes strain the MTP (metatarsophalangeal) joint where the big toe meets the foot. Women are more likely to develop bunions because they often wear high heels.  A bunion can also be the result of heredity or arthritis. If you have developed a bunion, it is wise to consult with a podiatrist earlier rather than later. The podiatrist can examine the area and help you decide the correct measures to take. Treatment ranges from elastic bunion pads or shoe inserts in minor cases to surgery in the most severe.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Amir Shalev, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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