Tuesday, 26 March 2024 00:00

A heel spur is an abnormal growth of bone on the bottom or back of the heel bone, or calcaneus. Heel spurs often result from excessive pulling by tendons and ligaments. Athletes and non-athletes alike may develop heel spurs, experiencing pain during activities like walking or running. Treatment options for heel spurs typically focus on pain reduction, including oral medications, corticosteroid injections, padding, and custom shoe orthotics. Non-surgical remedies, consisting of shock wave therapy and radiotherapy, have been shown to help relieve pain and improve foot function for individuals with heel spurs. Surgery may be recommended in severe cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful. While pain from heel spurs can diminish over time without treatment, it is important to seek professional advice for persistent heel pain. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options for relieving heel spur-related pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Patrick Bruton, DPM from Big Country foot and Ankle. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our offices located in Abilene, and Brownwood, TX . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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Tuesday, 19 March 2024 00:00

Turf toe, a common injury among athletes, occurs when the ligaments surrounding the big toe joint are sprained due to forceful pushing during activities like running or jumping. Turf toe injuries typically happen during sports practice, and are common in football and soccer. An early sign of turf toe is foot pain, which often intensifies with movement. This discomfort may lead to limping or difficulty in walking, occasionally rendering you immobile for a brief period. Sometimes a popping sound in the joint may indicate turf toe. Severe cases may necessitate immobilization or even surgery. It is extremely important not to ignore symptoms of turf toe, as early intervention can accelerate recovery and prevent long-term complications. If you are experiencing persistent pain or limited mobility in your big toe joint, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis. This medically trained foot doctor can perform imaging tests, a physical examination, and develop a treatment plan to address your specific needs. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. 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 Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Trauma
  • Sports injury
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Corns and calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Blisters
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

  • Severe pain
  • Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued swelling
  • Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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.

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Tuesday, 12 March 2024 00:00

Your feet contain one-fourth of the bones in the body, as well as a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It's not uncommon for one or several of these components to be in pain. If you are physically active, the chances of incurring a foot injury or other condition are even higher. It is sometimes necessary to seek medical help from a podiatrist with foot, toe, or ankle pain. Beyond just examining your feet, a podiatrist conducts a thorough assessment of your gait to understand how foot issues might be affecting other parts of your body. With expertise in foot and lower limb structure and movement, a podiatrist can diagnose foot conditions, identify underlying health issues, such as diabetes or arthritis, and tailor treatment plans accordingly. If you're experiencing foot pain, skin or nail abnormalities, foot injuries, or broader health concerns like diabetes, it may be time to visit a podiatrist. Your feet deserve the best care possible. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist today to address any foot pain or other related concerns you may have.

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to 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.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

  • Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
  • Use innovative methods to treat conditions
  • Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
  • Correct walking patterns and balance
  • Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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.

 

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Tuesday, 05 March 2024 00:00

Lateral foot pain, or pain running down the side of the foot, can happen due to various reasons. One common cause is wearing tight shoes that put pressure on the outside of the foot. Another cause could be overuse or a sudden increase in physical activity, leading to strain or inflammation in the muscles or tendons on the side of the foot. Injuries such as ankle sprains or fractures can also result in lateral foot pain. Additionally, conditions like plantar fasciitis, where the tissue on the bottom of the foot gets inflamed, can sometimes cause pain that radiates to the side of the foot. If you are experiencing persistent or worsening lateral foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, 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.

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 Abilene, and Brownwood, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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