Items filtered by date: September 2022

Tuesday, 13 September 2022 00:00

Children’s Foot Care

Just as with adults, children’s foot care is important to their health and wellbeing. Children’s feet are more delicate, and they are still growing. Properly fitted shoes are vital. Children can also experience unique foot disorders, such as Sever’s disease, flatfoot, plantar warts, or other conditions or deformities. Most children with flat feet do not have pain, but sometimes this can cause difficulty in a child’s participation in sports, or they may walk or run awkwardly. It can cause pain or cramping in the feet, legs, or knees. Sever’s disease is an inflammation of the heel’s growth plate that usually affects kids between ages 8 and 14 because the heel bone is not yet fully developed. Plantar warts can develop on the feet, usually the soles, from the human papilloma virus (HPV). These warts can be deep in the skin and be painful when walking or standing. Should your child have a problem with their feet or they are experiencing foot pain, seek treatment from a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy
Monday, 12 September 2022 00:00

Are You Suffering From Nerve Damage?

Neuropathy is a condition that can lead to numbness or loss of sensation in the feet, but it can also cause pain. This condition is more likely to develop for those who are diabetic, obese, or with high blood pressure.

Wednesday, 07 September 2022 00:00

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Ballet Dancers

Foot and ankle injuries are sometimes an unavoidable part of a dancer’s life, and particularly so for ballet dancers. Overuse injuries are more common in ballet than traumatic injuries, as they can be attributed to repetitive movements and extraordinary stress on bones and soft tissue structures. Achilles tendinopathy is one example of this type of injury. This is often the result of excessive stress on the Achilles tendon due to exaggerated positions such as demi-plié, demie point, and en pointe. Flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy is an overuse injury that can occur from repeated pushing off from the big toe. The pirouettes ballet dancers perform put an incredible amount of pressure on the forefoot, which can cause a nerve disorder called Morton’s neuroma. Landing after jumps and rolling the foot down from demie point places repeated tension on the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot. This can cause the tissue to become inflamed or torn (plantar fasciitis). A podiatrist has immeasurable experience in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions of all kinds, and should be consulted for any such injury a dancer or athlete may incur.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Paul A. Santangelo, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fasciosis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

Read more about Sports Related Foot And Ankle Injuries

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