Items filtered by date: August 2021

There are many reasons for trying to lose weight. You may want to lower your cholesterol, bring down your blood pressure, increase your energy, or just feel more comfortable in your clothes. You can also add improving your foot and ankle health to the list. Being heavy can place a tremendous amount of strain on your feet and ankles, making you more likely to suffer from heel pain. Carrying excessive weight on your body can set the stage for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hammertoes, bunions, flat feet, and more. You are also at an increased risk of developing systemic diseases that affect foot and ankle health such as diabetes and gout. While you are working hard to take that extra weight off, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who has various methods of easing pain, while reducing pressure and distributing weight more evenly on your feet.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Saturday, 28 August 2021 00:00

Let the Expert Treat Your Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be painful and can make wearing shoes or walking uncomfortable. Seek professional help if you believe you've developed an ingrown toenail and be treated safely. 

Tuesday, 24 August 2021 00:00

Healthy Tips for Prolonged Standing at Work

If you work a job that requires you to stand for prolonged periods of time, you may be more at risk of developing various foot and ankle problems. Fortunately, you can take several measures to reduce this risk. When standing at work, it is suggested that you change your position with slight movements frequently. Doing short, simple foot and ankle stretches, such as rolling a ball underneath each foot or flexing and extending your feet can help maintain strength, flexibility, and circulation in your lower limbs. You should also wear properly-fitted, comfortable, and supportive shoes and socks, and stand on an anti-fatigue mat if your workplace provides one. If possible, you should also alternate sitting, standing, and walking approximately every half hour and limit the total amount of time that you stand to no more than half of the work day. To learn more about caring for your feet when you have to stand for work, please consult with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 17 August 2021 00:00

Are You Experiencing Bunion Pain?

A bunion is a bony bump that can form at the base of the big toe joint. Many people believe that bunions are a strictly cosmetic issue, only affecting the way that the foot looks, but bunions can also be painful and lead to other foot problems that may interfere with your day-to-day life. A bunion can push your big toe towards the smaller ones, changing the shape of the foot and making the big toe joint sore, stiff, swollen, or inflamed. Blisters, corns, and calluses may form in between or on top of the toes as your shoe rubs against the bunion. All of these symptoms can lead to difficulty walking and going about your daily activities. Furthermore, bunions can increase your risk of other potentially painful foot problems, including hammertoes, bursitis, and metatarsalgia. Bunions tend to worsen over time, so if you notice a bunion forming on your foot, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment as soon as possible.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Omega Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

  • Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
  • Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

  • Redness and inflammation
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Callus or corns on the bump
  • Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Tuesday, 10 August 2021 00:00

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Heel Pain

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, but did you know that it can also affect the heels? AS can cause inflammation in not only joints, but also in entheses - points where ligaments and tendons attach to bones. Inflamed entheses result in enthesitis, and a common location for this problem in people with AS is the heel. The Achilles tendon at the back of the heel and the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot can both become inflamed, causing sharp pain and difficulty walking. If you have AS, it is suggested that you stay vigilant of any foot or ankle symptoms. If you notice these, a podiatrist can help you manage your heel pain.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Omega Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Weight change           
  • Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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The feet are the foundation of our bodies and while supporting our weight, they are also essential for mobility. Because of this, any foot-related issue should be addressed by a podiatrist. Common foot conditions a podiatrist can help with include athlete’s foot, bunions, hammertoes, corns, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis or heel pain, and foot blisters. Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that thrives between the toes or on the bottom of the feet that results in itching, burning, or scaling of the skin. Bunions are painful bumps that usually develop at the site of the big toe joint and cause the big toe to bend towards the smaller toes. Ingrown toenails occur as the nail grows into the sides of the nail bed. The skin around the affected toenail is typically swollen, red, painful, and can become infected. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This is a result of the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becoming inflamed or torn. Patients who are suffering from any foot-related problem should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Drugs
  • Orthotic inserts or soles
  • Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What is a Podiatrist?

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