Ankle sprains are a common injury for people who are active in sports, but they also can happen to anyone. Certain behaviors put a person at more risk for this type of injury. A typical risk factor is embarking on strenuous physical activity when your body is not in shape. Another is pushing through muscle and ligament fatigue, toward the end of a run for instance, rather than resting for a little while before continuing. A third risk factor for ankle sprains is not warming up thoroughly before an activity. This causes tight muscles and ligaments to be more likely to tear. Carrying extra weight is another contributor to the likelihood of spraining an ankle, because of an increased load on the joint. Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear is another factor. This applies in ordinary life, such as walking on slippery surfaces in high heels, not just during athletic endeavors. Anyone who has previously sprained an ankle is at more risk of incurring another such injury. Making sure the previously injured ankle has completely healed before resuming activity can help to prevent this. For more information on ankle sprains, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist.
Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact one of our podiatrists from Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.
What Are the Symptoms?
Preventing a Sprain
Treatment of a Sprain
In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lumberton, NJ, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
We underestimate how much time we spend on our feet and how much wear and tear they go through. When we stop and think about just how much our feet do for us, we can more fully appreciate the need to spend some time and energy taking care of them. A foot care routine can easily be implemented, and the payoffs are substantial. A proper foot care routine starts with looking at the feet more frequently to assess whether there are cuts, cracked heels, corns, or blisters that need to be tended to. Those with diabetes need to use particular care in examining their feet for developments that can turn into infections. Good regular foot care includes washing, drying, and moisturizing the feet each day, wearing shoes that are comfortable and the right size, and keeping the toenails trimmed by cutting them straight across and rounding the edges with a nail file. A pampering foot massage and a pedicure are icing on the cake in foot care. If you want to know more about how you can take care of your feet, it is suggested that you talk to a podiatrist about what other things you can do to maintain their health and functioning.
Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors 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 office located in Lumberton, NJ, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Ingrown toenails happen when the toenail grows into its surrounding skin. This can be uncomfortable, as the nail pierces the skin and becomes tender, red, and swollen. The big toe is the most often affected by this affliction, and if not tended to, it can bleed and become infected. If one is diabetic and has an ingrown toenail, they need to obtain immediate medical care as this can turn into a serious complication with their propensity towards infections and slower healing. To prevent ingrown toenails, it is important to cut toenails straight across rather than in a curved fashion, wear shoes that fit well and do not bind the toes in any way, and wear socks or other foot coverings to protect the feet. Examining the feet for excessive sweat or injury can help in the prevention of ingrown toenails as well. Wet feet can cause the toenails to soften, and it becomes easier for the nail to grow into the skin. Even a stubbed toe can cause a toenail to pierce the skin. If you develop an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide the best treatment option for you.
Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.
Causes
You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.
Treatment
Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lumberton, NJ, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Foot massages are a popular form of foot therapy. They are effective in relieving stress and aches and pains. They can also help to increase overall well-being. There are several types of foot massages people can enjoy. Reflexology is a technique that uses pressure points that connect to specific areas of the body. A Swedish foot massage is considered the most relaxing type of massage, and can be effective in soothing tired feet at the end of the day. A deep-tissue foot massage applies intense pressure in certain areas of the foot, and it can help reduce injuries that are muscle related. Relaxation can be found when a hot stone foot massage is performed. The masseuses' hands are replaced by using hot stones that can soothe tired muscles. If you would like additional information about foot massages, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.
Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, one of our podiatrists of Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Most Common Injuries
People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track.
What to Do When Injured
Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.
During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:
Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lumberton, NJ, . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
