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The Three Foot Shapes

Tuesday, 10 January 2023

Babies' feet grow rapidly in their early years. An infant’s foot has 22 bones, and the remaining bones will form by the time the child reaches age five. Prior to this, babies’ feet are made of soft cartilage, and it is important that their first shoe is made of pliable materials. It is beneficial to have your child crawl and walk barefoot while indoors, and this is beneficial in keeping the foot strong. When your child is two years old, they will have a distinctive foot shape, either tapered, square, or round. These shapes are easy to notice, as the toes will be in a square formation when they are all the same length. Many patients’ second or third toe is the longest, and this is characteristic of the rounded shape. When the biggest toe is the longest, this generally falls into the tapered shape category. There are many things to know about children’s foot health, and if you would like additional information, please consult with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Loren Hansen, DPM of Ankle & Foot Medical Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Make sure their shoes fit properly
Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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.

Do You Suffer From Painful Feet?

Friday, 06 January 2023

Painful deformities, such as hammertoes, can be treated. Stop living with foot pain, and have beautiful feet again!

Joints of the Feet

Tuesday, 03 January 2023

The biomechanics of the feet are outstandingly complex, as more than 25 bones and 30 joints are located in the human feet. Each bone, ligament, muscle, and joint serves an important function to keep the feet functioning correctly and engaged in normal motion. The joints, in particular, are indispensable to the human foot. It is important to note that the joints essentially make jumping, walking, and motion generally possible. Some of the most important joints in the feet include the ankle joint, the tarsometatarsal joint, and the Interphalangeal joint. Joints are formed at the intersection point of two bones (i.e. where two bones come together in the foot). Joints are primarily engaged in facilitating movement between the bones, which makes their role so critical in the feet. Since joints play such an important role in the feet, injuries to ankle joints can be serious and motion-inhibiting. For example, a common injury of this type is known as an ankle sprain, which targets the ankle joint, tearing the relevant ligaments. If you are interested in learning more about the important joints of the human foot, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Loren Hansen, DPM from Ankle & Foot Medical Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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.

Teens and Plantar Warts

Tuesday, 27 December 2022

A wart is a growth on the skin caused by over 100 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus causes a thickening of the top skin layer. Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet. These can look and feel like calluses. Anyone can get warts, but children aged 12 to 16 and those who have HIV, organ transplants, or are on chemotherapy are at the highest risk for them. Warts are often acquired from a person that has the virus. While not highly contagious, the virus can enter the skin through small cuts or cracks. It is suggested that towels and other intimate objects not be shared, and shoes be worn in public places. Warts are typically harmless and painless, but plantar warts might feel tender when walked on. These warts can be small, or they can grow to cover most of the sole of the foot. They often go away on their own, but this can take up to two years. If your teen has a plantar wart that is bothersome or interferes with their normal daily activities, please consult a podiatrist for treatment options.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Loren Hansen, DPM from Ankle & Foot Medical 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 office located in Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Effective Relief Methods for Arthritic Feet

Tuesday, 20 December 2022

Arthritis in the feet can cause severe pain and discomfort. It is possible that relief can be found when specific methods are practiced. Self-management techniques can include learning how to reduce stress, improve mood, and generally feel more in control of health issues. This is instrumental in managing some of the pain that is associated with arthritic feet. Additionally, physical activity is linked to an improved sense of well-being, and it may help to eliminate some of the discomforts that occur with feet that have arthritis. Research has indicated it is beneficial to lose weight with existing arthritis, often improving foot mobility and range of motion. It is important to incorporate a gentle exercise program into the daily routine which may help to reduce the risk of injury in completing daily activities. If you have arthritis in your feet, it is strongly urged that you routinely visit a podiatrist who can guide you toward proper management and relief tactics.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Loren Hansen, DPM from Ankle & Foot Medical Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to describe joint pain. The condition itself can occur to anyone of any age, race, or gender, and there are over 100 types of it. Nevertheless, arthritis is more commonly found in women compared to men, and it is also more prevalent in those who are overweight. The causes of arthritis vary depending on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis for example, is often caused by injury, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune system.

Symptoms

Swelling
Pain
Stiffness
Decreased Range of Motion

Arthritic symptoms range in severity, and they may come and go. Some symptoms stay the same for several years but could potentially get worse with time. Severe cases of arthritis can prevent its sufferers from performing daily activities and make walking difficult.

Risk Factors

Occupation – Occupations requiring repetitive knee movements have been linked to osteoarthritis
Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to osteoarthritis development
Infection – Microbial agents can infect the joints and trigger arthritis
Joint Injuries – Damage to joints may lead to osteoarthritis
Age – Risk increases with age
Gender –Most types are more common in women
Genetics – Arthritis can be hereditary

If you suspect your arthritis is affecting your feet, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist immediately. Your doctor will be able to address your specific case and help you decide which treatment method is best for you.

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

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