Items filtered by date: July 2021

Uric acid is a byproduct of the process your body goes through as it breaks down purines, chemical compounds that naturally occur in your body as well as in certain foods such as red meat, seafood and alcoholic beverages. Normally, most uric acid is reabsorbed back into the body, or expelled through the kidneys. When your body produces too much uric acid (or has difficulty flushing it), hard, crystal-like deposits build up in and around the joints. This is known as gout. While this painful condition may manifest in any joint of the body, it most commonly occurs in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. These sharp urate crystals can cause severe flare-ups of pain, swelling, tenderness and heat in the affected joint. Symptoms tend to develop quickly and occur more often at night. They can come back and increase in frequency if the underlying condition is not treated properly. Contact a podiatrist for an exam, and to discuss possible treatments for this painful arthritic condition.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Eugene Little, DPM from Foot and Ankle Centers of Ohio. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments in your ankle become torn or stretched. Although sprains are very common, they can lead to additional sprains and long-term ankle weakness and joint pain if they are not treated and do not heal properly. Typically, ankle sprains occur when a sudden movement causes the ankle to roll outwardly, and overly stretch or tear the outside ligaments. Depending on how badly the ligaments have been damaged, ankle sprains can range from mild (mobility and little-to-no-pain) to severe (lack of mobility and instability in the ankle). You may notice immediate pain, swelling and bruising at the site of the sprain and, in more serious sprains, a pop or snap may be heard and/or felt. If you believe you may have sprained your ankle, seek the professional care of a podiatrist in order to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Eugene Little, DPM from Foot and Ankle Centers of Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

There are two tiny bones (sesamoids) embedded in tendons under the big toe joint. These petite yet purposeful bones help transmit muscle forces, assist the foot in weight-bearing, and also help elevate the big toe. When these bones become inflamed or fractured due to acute injury, overuse, or systemic disorders such as degenerative arthritis, this is known as sesamoiditis. Because these bones are so small, a podiatrist may require a variety of imaging tests to properly diagnose sesamoiditis. Early treatment may include custom orthotics to divert forces away from the sesamoids, shoe modification, icing, rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and more.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact Eugene Little, DPM of Foot and Ankle Centers of Ohio. Our doctor will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

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

Whether you’re training for a marathon or running just for fun, you should be aware that runners are at an increased risk for foot and ankle injuries. Fortunately, there are a great deal of things that you can do to minimize your risk. When you are beginning to run, it is important to build mileage gradually. Do not suddenly increase the distance or intensity of your runs, as this can strain and damage the muscles and ligaments of your lower limbs. Instead, increase your mileage slowly over time. It is also important to stretch and strengthen your feet and ankles, as strong, flexible lower limbs are more resistant to injuries. Wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, running on level surfaces, and allowing yourself time to rest and recover following runs will help you avoid injury as well. For more information about preventing foot and ankle problems as a runner, please consult with a podiatrist. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Eugene Little, DPM of Foot and Ankle Centers of Ohio. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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