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June 2022

Heel pain is often associated with the condition known as plantar fasciitis. This common form of heel pain is the result of damage to, and inflammation of, the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the connective tissue on the sole of the foot that inserts at the heel bone, then spreads up to support the arch, and fans out to connect with each toe. Damage to the plantar fascia may be caused by wear from old age, obesity, shoes with inadequate support, and increasing physical activity too rapidly. Among the other causes are training on hard surfaces, standing for prolonged periods of time, and having flat feet or high arches. Plantar fasciitis typically causes pain in the inner/center part of the heel that worsens after periods of rest. Your podiatrist can offer various treatments to repair the plantar fascia, while reducing inflammation and pain. It is suggested that you contact one to seek treatment, as this condition may become chronic if the tissue does not heal properly. 

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Milos Tomich, DPM  from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

  • Excessive running
  • Non-supportive shoes
  • Overpronation
  • Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

  • Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
  • Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
  • Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Tuesday, 21 June 2022 00:00

Symptoms of an Infected Foot Wound

It is beneficial to treat wounds on the feet as quickly as possible to avoid future health complications. Any cut or scrape on the bottom of the foot needs to be cleaned with an antiseptic, after the hands are thoroughly washed. This is followed by covering the cut with a dressing, and protecting it from getting wet. The cut will heal naturally, and eventually a scab will form. The foot may be wrapped by using tape to keep the bandage in place on the sole of the foot. Symptoms of an infected wound include redness surrounding the affected area, and it may begin to ooze a green or yellow fluid. Additionally, the wound may become painful, the entire foot may turn red, and swelling may increase. An infection on the foot may affect the entire body, and many people become lethargic. If you have a wound on your foot, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Among the many components that make up the ankle joint are three bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. There is also cartilage that cushions these bones, and a series of ligaments and tendons that support and bind the ankle. Ankle pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, with an ankle sprain topping the list. This occurs when one or more of the ligaments in the ankle gets stretched beyond its normal limits, or even tears. Ankle strains are similar, but affect the muscles or tendons in the ankle. Fractures in one or more ankle bone(s) can also cause ankle pain, as can osteoarthritis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, or Achilles tendon injuries. These are just a few of the conditions that may cause pain in the ankles. If you are experiencing pain, soreness, tenderness, instability, stiffness, immobility, swelling, warmth, or have any other discomfort in your ankle, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Bursitis
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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Tuesday, 07 June 2022 00:00

Wearing Orthotics May Help Heel Spurs

A bony growth that forms on the back of the heel bone is known as a heel spur. It can gradually produce severe pain and discomfort, and it may become difficult to walk. A heel spur can develop for several reasons, including wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, exercising on hard surfaces, or standing for long periods. A common symptom that many people experience is a sharp pain in the bottom of the heel, and this may diminish while walking. After a proper diagnosis is performed, correct treatment can begin. It may be beneficial to practice specific stretches that can help to ease the pain of a heel spur. An effective stretch consists of standing on a step and lowering the heel until a gentle pull is felt. Some patients find it can help to wear custom-made orthotics that can control the excess motion that affects the bottom of the foot. Additionally, orthotics can help take the pressure off of a heel spur. If you are affected by this painful foot condition, please consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the best form of treatment is for you.

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 Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. 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 one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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