The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs along the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. When this ligament is injured or inflamed, the result is usually heel and arch pain. One way to prevent or relieve tension and pain in the heel, arch, and sole of the foot is by stretching. To stretch the plantar fascia and relieve tightness under the foot, you can do a foot pull. Sit with one leg crossed over the other, then grab all of your toes and pull them as a unit back towards your shin, until you feel a pull in the bottom of your foot. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times. To massage the plantar fascia, roll a tennis ball forward and back with the bottom of your foot for 5-10 minutes a day. To learn more about plantar fascia stretches, please consult with a podiatrist.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.

Great ways to stretch your feet:

• Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
• Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
• Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

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

Discovering the cause of pinky toe pain can be challenging. Its strategic placement on the outside of the foot helps the pinky toe work in tandem with the heel and big toe to balance the body during movement. However, this very location and its petite size make the pinky toe more susceptible to injury. For instance, stubbing, or dropping something heavy on it can cause one or more of its three bones to break. Stress, or hairline, fractures may also occur from repeated motions and activities such as running and jumping. One of its bones may separate from the others, causing dislocation (complete separation), or subluxation (partial separation). If ligaments become damaged, this can result in a sprain. Other conditions that may cause pinky toe pain include tailor’s bunions (a bunionette that forms on the outside of the pinky toe), or deformities such as hammer toe, claw toe, or overlapping pinky toe. Any chronic pain, swelling, or malformation in your pinky toe should be diagnosed by a podiatrist, followed by an appropriate course of treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. 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 offices located in Ijamsville and Mouth Airy, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When the skin on the heel dries out and loses its strength and elasticity, the heel becomes hard, dry, and flaky. This leads to splitting, or fissuring and cracking, of skin around the heel which is more commonly known as cracked heels. While cracked heels usually form because of dry skin, wearing open-backed shoes, gaining weight, and increased friction from the back of the shoes can all lead to cracked heels forming as well. Common methods for managing cracked heels include moisturizing the heels twice per day, soaking the feet in warm water, and using a pumice stone on the affected area. However, excessively dry skin can indicate other problems such as neuropathy or diabetes. Patients who continually struggle with cracked heels should consult with a podiatrist to find the source of their issue.  

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by poor circulation in the lower limbs. It occurs when the arteries that transport blood in the lower limbs become narrow and hardened due to a buildup of plaque. In its earlier stages, PAD is often asymptomatic. As it progresses, symptoms can begin to appear and may include leg cramping, numbness, weakness, coldness, discoloration, hair loss, changes in the texture and color of toenails, and the formation of poorly healing wounds on the feet and ankles. Since symptoms might not arise until the disease has progressed significantly, screening for PAD is very important. People who are at risk for PAD, such as adults over the age of 50, those who live a sedentary lifestyle, and those who have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular problems, should speak with a podiatrist about getting tested for PAD. 

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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