(205) 633-3606
(205) 633-3606
The fifth metatarsal is the long bone that connects to the pinky toe on the outside of the foot. This bone is especially prone to fracture for people involved in any sort of prolonged physical activity, especially team sports. A stress fracture is one of the most common injuries in soccer, but many other athletes also suffer this injury. It is vitally important to never ignore any type of foot pain, on the field or off. Professionally, there is immense pressure to perform, which can lead to dependency on prescription painkillers. But the truth is, we all need our feet, not just star athletes. The best course of action is always to contact a podiatrist and get to the root of the problem.
Activities in which too much pressure is placed on the feet can cause stress fractures. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Robert Hope of Riverside Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot needs.
Dealing with Stress Fractures of the foot
The Stress Fractures occur on the foot when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. Then the feet lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection the bones receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes cracks to form in the bones, thus called stress fractures.
What are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet. Stress factors are most common among:
Symptoms
Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity that involves in high impact will aggravate pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Stress fractures are small breaks in the bone that are caused by repetitive stress. They typically occur due to overuse, forcing the bones of the foot or to continually absorb the full impact of each step someone takes. Stress fractures can also be caused by abnormal foot structure, osteoporosis, bone deformities, or wearing improper footwear during exercise.
Stress fractures are common for individuals whose daily activities cause high levels of impact on their feet. Individuals who run, play tennis or basketball, or practice gymnastics tend to experience these fractures more frequently. Anyone is susceptible to this problem, though. Individuals who are normally sedentary and suddenly begin an intense, high impact workout may sustain stress fractures. This is because their muscles are not yet strong enough to handle and cushion the intensity of their activity. Osteoporosis may also cause someone to get stress fractures, because the disease weakens an afflicted person's bones and makes it easier for them to break down.
Pain from stress fractures typically occurs in the general area of the fracture. Pain can also manifest as “pinpoint pain” or pain that is felt when the site of the injury is touched, and can be accompanied by swelling. It may occur during or after activity, and it may disappear while resting and return when standing or moving. Engaging in any kind of activity, high impact or otherwise, will aggravate the pain. If the intensity of the activity increases before the stress fracture has properly healed, it can cause a full fracture.
Treatment can vary depending on the individual and the degree of injury. The primary way to treat a stress fracture is to rest the hurt foot. Some fractures will heal quickly with only a little bit of rest, while others may require a long rest period and the use of crutches, immobilization, or physical therapy. Under certain circumstances, surgery may be required to install support pins around the fracture to assist in healing.
If you are undergoing a new exercise regimen in running or some other kind of high impact activity, set incremental goals on a weekly basis so you can build up muscle strength. Make sure to wear supportive shoes to better protect you feet.
If you begin to experience any symptoms of stress fractures, you should stop exercising and rest. If the symptoms persist, consult with your podiatrist. Remembering these tips can help you prevent stress fractures to your foot, and allow you to continue living normally.
Working out at the gym can be one important way to maintain good physical health. When exercising in public places, however, there is always an elevated risk of coming into contact with bacteria and viruses that are new to our own personal immune system. Plantar warts are one of the conditions that might crop up when someone is exposed to warm, humid environments. Caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), plantar warts appear as hard, callus like areas on the foot. They can be very painful when even walking around normally. There are various procedures for this condition that range from surgery to laser treatments; consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment for you.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Robert Hope from Riverside Podiatry. Dr. Hope will assist you with all of your foot 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
Treatment
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, will 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 Tuscaloosa, AL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot needs.
Read more about plantar warts.
With 26 bones in each foot, our feet play a large part in our everyday activities. Therefore, it’s important to take care of our feet to prevent conditions such as arthritis or other ailments. The Huffington Post recommends some particular tips in ensuring proper foot care. These include wearing properly-fitting shoes that do not squeeze our feet and that accommodate your specific foot structure. If you have balance problems, going barefoot may help with stimulation of your foot structure. Walking on different surfaces and take note of your own gait.Always consult with your podiatrist if you have any concerns.
Every day foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checkedcontact Dr. Robert Hope from Riverside Podiatry. Dr. Hope will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Every Day 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. After all, 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 example.
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.
Also, 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 office located in Tuscaloosa, AL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot needs.
Taking care of your feet means choosing the right shoes. Awareness of your feet’s comfort is vital to understanding what type of shoes you should buy. Avoid shoes such as heels and flats, which offer minimal shock absorption due to a lack of solid foundation. This may lead to potential heel pain from the repetitive stress. Avoid heels that are higher than two inches. If possible, choose wedges as they help distribute weight more evenly and stabilize the feet. Choose quality leather that is not stiff, as your feet are prone to developing bunions in shoes that are too tight. As you age, your feet can change over time, so it’s important to take this into consideration when shoe shopping.
Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Robert Hope from Riverside Podiatry. Dr. Hope can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.
Proper Shoe Fitting
A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:
Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes is vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot needs.
Read more about proper shoe fitting.
