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August 2020

If you find yourself exhausted and your feet aching after a long, hard day of work, a foot massage may be just what you need. Foot massages can boost circulation and reduce physical pain, in addition to decreasing your stress and anxiety levels. A daily foot care routine might begin with soaking your feet in warm water, then thoroughly drying them when you are done. Afterwards, you may want to apply a lotion to keep the feet moisturized. While putting on lotion, you can give yourself a simple foot massage. Start by rubbing the soles of your feet with your thumbs, then use a loose fist or open palm to gently tap the sole to stimulate circulation. For more information about daily foot care, please consult with a podiatrist today.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Barry P. Weinstein, DPM from Bellaire Podiatry. Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 24 August 2020 00:00

Do I Have Plantar Warts?

Pain felt on the soles of the feet can be indicative of a condition known as plantar warts. The appearance of plantar warts can be compared to thickened, callused skin, however they often have tiny black dots in their center. Because they’re normally found on the soles of the feet, plantar warts can run the risk of being pushed inward as one walks. Some have described feeling as if a pebble is stuck in their shoe when the plantar warts are pushed inward. For a proper diagnosis and advised treatment plan for plantar warts, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Barry P. Weinstein, DPM from Bellaire Podiatry. 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 one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

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Monday, 17 August 2020 00:00

Stop and Drop the Flip-Flops

Flip-flops are the go-to shoe of the summer, but did you know that your flip-flops may be harming your feet? Because they provide little support to the foot as you walk, they can cause pain in the bottom of the foot or heel, especially if you have flat feet. They may also increase your likelihood of slipping, tripping, or falling as the loose shoes flop around while you walk. The effort required of your toes to keep the shoes on your feet can also lead to various foot deformities, such as hammertoes and bunions. Flip-flops that place a plastic strap between your tender toes can increase your chances of developing painful blisters as you walk. Finally, the porous foam material that most flip-flops are made of can trap fungus inside your shoes, which can eventually infect your feet. For these reasons, it is best to steer clear of flip-flops, or to at least wear them for only short periods of time. For more information on footwear, please speak with a podiatrist.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Barry P. Weinstein, DPM from Bellaire Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

  • Ankle problems
  • Hip problems
  • Lower back problems
  • Pain in the balls of the feet
  • Problems with foot arches
  • Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

  • Sprained ankles
  • Blisters
  • Infections
  • Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX .  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 10 August 2020 00:00

Why Does My Ankle Hurt?

Ankle pain can have a variety of causes. One of the most common causes of ankle pain is injury from physical activity. Sprains and fractures can occur while exercising, playing a sport, or even walking if the ankle is rolled, turned or twisted awkwardly. Another common cause of ankle pain is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis usually associated with aging and wears away the cartilage on the ends of your bones and leads to joint damage and pain. Wearing shoes with inadequate support or a poor fit, standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, exercising excessively, or being overweight can result in ankle pain as well. If you are experiencing persistent ankle pain, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Barry P. Weinstein, DPM from Bellaire Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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Sever’s disease is an injury of the growth plate in the heel bone that is caused by overuse. This condition is most common in children, especially boys between the ages of 8 and 14. The usual symptoms of Sever’s disease are pain and tenderness in the heel, discomfort in the foot upon walking first thing in the morning, limping while walking, and increased heel pain during and after physical activity. Your child may have an increased risk of developing Sever’s disease if they are heavier and taller than average for their age, have over-pronated feet or flat feet, play sports like soccer, football, or hockey, run barefoot or run on hard surfaces, suddenly increase their level of physical activity, or wear footwear without adequate cushioning and support. If your child complains of heel pain, it is recommended that you visit a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Barry P. Weinstein, DPM from Bellaire Podiatry. 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 one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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