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March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022 00:00

What to Expect From a Podiatrist

Podiatrists are doctors (specifically Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, or DPMs) who specialize in feet and ankle issues. Though these physicians focus on these lower extremities, their training can include other areas, such as emergency care and radiology. They often complete an internship and residency program for board certification. They must usually be licensed in the state they practice. Podiatrists deal with all sorts of issues related to the feet and ankles. Some of the patients they see have easily treatable problems, like corns, toenail fungus, plantar warts, and ingrown toenails, while others require more time and attention. Podiatrists will examine the structure of the ankles and feet and look for problems that can result in deterioration or infections. They can also create custom orthotics for those with painful foot ailments. Those who experience pain, numbness, or cramping in their feet, ankles, or lower legs might want to see a podiatrist for an examination, diagnosis, and treatment. This is particularly important for those with a pre-existing physical condition that affects the feet, including diabetes or circulatory problems.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Glen Robison from AZ Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Drugs
  • Orthotic inserts or soles
  • Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Read more about What is a Podiatrist?

There are several reasons why your child may be having heel pain or tenderness at the back of their foot. Sever’s disease is a condition in which a child’s Achilles tendon pulls on and aggravates the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. In Achilles tendonitis, a sudden increase in activity can damage the Achilles tendon, causing pain, warmth, inflammation, and difficulty in walking. Plantar fasciitis is a very common form of heel pain. This condition is an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot, which connects the heel to the toes. If your child has fallen or had an acute injury to the heel, they may have fractured the heel bone. No matter what the cause of your child’s heel pain is, a podiatrist can diagnose it and devise an appropriate treatment plan. If your child is limping or walking on their toes, or complains about pain in their heel or tenderness at the back of their feet, make an appointment for them 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 Dr. Glen Robison of AZ Foot & Ankle. 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 offices located in Mesa and Globe, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about How to Care for Your Child's Feet

If your podiatrist suspects that you may have peripheral artery disease (PAD), they will most likely perform a vascular test called a duplex ultrasound. Duplex ultrasound uses two modes of ultrasound: 1) traditional ultrasound to create images of your blood vessels based on sound waves bouncing off them, and 2) doppler ultrasound to estimate the speed and direction of blood by recording sound waves that reflect off it as it flows. Duplex ultrasound is non-invasive and painless. Your podiatrist will spread gel on the skin of the area(s) to be tested, and then wave a transducer wand which emits the sound waves and records the echoes that are reflected. For more information about duplex ultrasound, ask your podiatrist.

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Dr. Glen Robison from AZ Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

  • Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
  • Doppler examination
  • Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

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

 

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Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

When you feel pain on the outside of your foot, just in front of the ankle, you may have strained the peroneal tendon, which connects the base of the 5th metatarsal bone to the peroneus brevis leg muscle. This injury, often the result of a twisted ankle or other sudden force to the ankle, can result in pain and swelling. It will likely hurt when you try to walk. It is often caused when your foot rolls inward and stretches the tendon on the outside of your foot. The peroneus brevis muscle frequently gets tighter when running, especially on hard roads, increasing the likelihood of it being overstretched. Immediate treatment options include icing the foot to reduce swelling and inflammation, staying off the foot, and taking over-the-counter pain medication. If after a couple of days, the pain continues or worsens, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can examine your foot and suggest further treatment options, based on the severity of the injury.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with Dr. Glen Robison from AZ Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Muscle strains
  • Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
  • Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

  • Bruising
  • Inflammation/ Swelling
  • Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

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

Read more about Foot and Ankle Trauma
Tuesday, 01 March 2022 00:00

Causes of Overpronation

Overpronation refers to the feet rolling excessively inward during walking or running. This results in more weight being placed on the inner side of the foot, which can eventually cause foot pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, shin splints, stress fractures, and more. Overpronation itself usually has a gradual onset and can be caused by a variety of biomechanical distortions in the foot and ankle. These include having flat feet, knock knees, excess weight, or weakness in the tibialis posterior muscle or the ligaments that support the feet. If you are suffering from foot pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Glen Robison from AZ Foot & Ankle. 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 offices located in Mesa and Globe, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Biomechanics in Podiatry
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