Items filtered by date: September 2022

Bunions are a common affliction of the foot where a bony bump develops on the side of the big toe. This causes the top of the big toe to point towards the second toe, and the structure of the big toe’s bones can be manipulated. A medical professional, such as a podiatrist (a foot specialist), may recommend to you several different treatment options for your bunions short of a surgical procedure. For instance, it might be recommended to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to minimize inflammation. Also, a podiatrist might recommend avoiding physical activities that exacerbate symptoms of bunions or wearing footwear that provides more space in the toe box area. Lastly, a podiatrist may recommend applying an ice pack to your bunions several times a day to reduce inflammation. Contact a podiatrist today if you have a case of bunions.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Patrick Bruton, DPM of Big Country foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

There are different ways in which an individual may injure their achilles tendon, the tendon that runs from the calf muscle to the heel bone in the lower leg. For example, an individual can tear or rupture their Achilles tendon when it is strained or stretched beyond its limits. There are several signs of an Achilles tendon injury to be aware of. Namely, you might experience pain when walking up staircases because the Achilles tendon essentially enables you to lift your heel off of the ground. In the same vein, you could experience difficulty trying to stand on the tips of your toes. Additionally, if you have an Achilles tendon injury, you might notice different types of pain. You can experience sharp pain at the back of the ankle or leg. Snapping or cracking sounds might be heard if you have experienced some kind of Achilles tendon injury. If you suspect that you have developed this kind of injury, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, a foot care specialist. 

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Patrick Bruton, DPM of Big Country foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Abilene, and Brownwood, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is located on the outside of the foot and plays an important role in foot movement. Namely, the cuboid bone can act like a pulley during downward foot movement. However, this area of the foot is susceptible to cuboid syndrome, where the ligaments surrounding the cuboid bone become injured. Individuals that have cuboid syndrome can experience a variety of different symptoms, including limping and feelings of pain. To treat cuboid syndrome a medical professional may engage in manipulation treatment. For example, a professional may choose to perform a procedure known as the cuboid squeeze. Through this technique, an individual will have their toes pressed downward while pressure is applied to the area around the cuboid bone. This may be repeated until regular movement is regained. If you have cuboid syndrome, contact a podiatrist today. This foot specialist will be able to treat your condition and answer any questions you may have about techniques like the cuboid squeeze.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Patrick Bruton, DPM from Big Country foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Before an individual begins their exercise routine, they may briefly stretch their neck, arms, and legs. It is undoubtedly important to ensure that these body parts are loose and limber. However, stretching out the feet before an exercise routine is just as important. This is because foot pain, injuries, and afflictions developed from not stretching can make it difficult to continue working out the next day. If an individual properly stretches or warms up their feet before a workout, other parts of the body may benefit. For example, depending on the stretch, the calves, hamstrings, and shins might benefit from foot stretches. Before a workout, you might consider performing the tiptoe walk. This stretch can be performed by standing on your tiptoes and walking on an exercise mat for about thirty seconds or so. Some individuals who perform this pre-workout stretch might notice increased ankle stability. When stretching, it is always important to listen to your body and never push or strain your body. If you are someone who works out frequently and has always neglected stretching the feet, contact a podiatrist. They will be able to help you with more information about stretching your feet.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Patrick Bruton, DPM from Big Country foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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