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Posts for category: Foot Pain

By Crofton Podiatry
May 23, 2018
Category: Foot Pain
Tags: Diabetes   shoes   stretch   orthotic inserts  

When a foot cramp strikes, it can certainly cause a lot of pain. The pain can come about suddenly and last for a while, depending on how you treat it when it happens.

Why it happens is another story. The specific cause of foot cramps is not known, but there seem to be some factors that trigger the cramping:

  • Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance - The muscles in your body need water to function and rehabilitate properly. Specific minerals and salts are required to send the correct nerve impulses that control your muscles.
  • Overworking your foot muscles - Standing, walking, and/or working your feet for long periods of time can cause muscle fatigue and sudden cramping.
  • Shoes that are not supportive - When your shoes are not supportive, it can cause your feet to overly strain. This can overwork the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. 
  • Poor circulation - Those with diseases that cause poor circulation, like diabetes, can lead to cramps because necessary nutrients are not getting to the foot muscles.

So what do you do when your foot cramps?

  • While it seems counterintuitive, stand and put weight on your cramping foot to stretch it.
  • If you are sitting, flex your foot and pull your toes toward you to stretch out the muscles and tendons along the bottom of the feet. If you can’t reach your toes, use a towel or strap to keep your feet flexed until the cramping goes away.
  • Gently massage the foot while it is flexed to help the cramp to relax.
  • If the pain is severe initially, you can apply ice to find relief. However, if the cramp continues, use heat to relax the cramping feet.

The best defense against foot cramps is prevention! Try some or all of the following to reduce your chances of experiencing painful foot cramps:

  • Stay hydrated and eat plenty of nutritious foods. If you seem to experience cramps after overexertion from working out, try drinks with electrolytes to help.
  • Remember to stretch before and after workouts or long walks.
  • Treat any diseases or conditions that might be causing the cramping as a side effect. Some medications can also cause cramping as a side effect, so it’s best to speak to your physician if you think this is the case.
  • Wear shoes that are supportive, especially if you stand or walk a lot during the day.

If you need orthotic inserts or custom orthoses to help you prevent foot strain, we can help you. To get an assessment for your chronic foot cramps, make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
May 25, 2017
Category: Foot Pain

Have you ever wondered why your feet get swollen? One minute your feet fit into your shoes normally, but later that day, they feel tighter or you can’t even get them on! Maybe they feel heavier or even numb. What’s going on?

Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs is also called Peripheral Edema. It can happen to anyone, for a variety of reasons. They can be short- or long-term occurrences, happen on one or both sides, and may or may not be painful, depending on the cause of swelling. While not always caused by a serious problem, swollen feet can indicate a more serious underlying problem. The following are possible reasons for swollen feet:

  • Being Overweight, Standing for long periods of time, or Inactivity – These conditions can cause blood and fluid to have a hard time returning up to the upper part of the body. Having regular periods of activity can increase blood flow and circulation to prevent or reduce swelling in the lower part of the body.

  • Hormonal Changes, including Menstrual Periods or Pregnancy – Your body reacts to hormonal changes to try to protect you. Retaining fluid during pregnancy can be normal, as long as it is not extreme or uneven. If you have severe edema or swelling only on one foot or leg, it may be a sign of something more serious. Contact your doctor.

  • Insect Bite or Allergic Reaction – Swelling can happen as a result of these events. If swelling does not go down, use allergy medications and go to the emergency room if reaction is severe.

  • Medication or Medical Procedure Side Effect – Some medications can cause changes in the body, such as hormonal changes or causing blood to thicken. Blood or fluid can thicken and cause edema. Additionally, procedures like surgery can cause inflammation and swelling.

  • Foot or Ankle Injury – Swelling is a normal reaction to injuries as a protective measure. Use the RICE method to reduce swelling. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate the leg)

  • Infection – Swelling can occur when you have an infection – look for symptoms like redness, pain, or an open wound.

  • Venous Insufficiency including Blood Clot and varicose veins – Vein disorders can cause inadequate blood flow through the veins. They cause the blood to pool at the restrictive point or blockage, causing swelling. Blood clots and varicose veins are the common causes.

  • Lymphedema  – This condition is when there is damage to lymph nodes in your lymphatic system. It causes a blockage to fluids which build up and cause swelling.
     

  • Heart, Liver, or Kidney Disease – When there are problems with these organs, your body may have a reaction of swelling near the feet or ankles due to fluid buildup.

Do you have concerns about swelling in your feet or ankles? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to get an assessment to make sure that the swelling is not an indication of something more serious. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
May 10, 2017
Category: Foot Pain
Tags: Untagged

Have you had pain in your toes? Maybe you experience numbness or tingling after wearing some tight shoes or after activities like football or soccer. You may be suffering from a neuroma.

What is a neuroma? Neuromas in the feet occur because of thickened tissue rubbing against nerves. The nerves become irritated and enlarged causing pain and inflammation, especially between the third and fourth toes. The ball of the foot can experience numbness, tingling, burning, or pain because of this. Neuromas can be caused by external pressure from shoes, injury, or developmental abnormalities.

What are your Treatment Options? The following are possible treatments, depending on the severity of your nerve pain:

  • Roomier, Lower-heeled Footwear – When shoes are tight on the toes or if there is too much pressure on the front of the feet from wearing high heels. Shoes that have a bigger toe box and low heels can help reduce pressure on the toes and ball of feet.

  • Corrective Shoes or Orthotics – Shoes or inserts that change the position of the feet to relieve pressure or pain on the front of the feet. Arch supports and foot pads can make a difference in reducing pressure on the nerves.

  • Cortisone Injections – When there is pain, injections of corticosteroid medications can reduce swelling or inflammation on the nerves.

  • Decompression surgery – Nearby structures, such as the ligament can be cut or removed to release pressure on the nerve.

  • Neurolysis  – When nerve pain is severe a treatment option is to harden the nerves using an injection of ethanol and anesthetic to harden the nerves and ultimately destroy it and relieve symptoms.  

  • Nerve Surgery – Another option when the pain is severe is to perform surgery either to remove the nerve tissue or to relieve pressure on the nerve.

Do you have nerve pain on the front of the foot? Or perhaps you’re not sure if it may be related to diabetic neuropathy? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to get assessed and properly treated. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
August 10, 2016
Category: Foot Pain

When we think of the word Achilles, we often think of the heel – or someone’s vulnerability. Did you know that it comes from Greek mythology, where the important war hero, Achilles, was shot in the heel with an arrow and ultimately taken down? He was said to be invulnerable in all his body, except his heel.

It seems appropriate then, that the largest tendon in the body that allows us to walk and run is called the Achilles tendon. It is also interesting that while it is strong and essential to convenience in our daily lives, it is vulnerable to inflammation and degeneration. This is called Achilles Tendinitis and it results from repeated stress and overuse of the tendon. Some common causes are: sudden increase in exercise (especially very intense exercise) and extra bone grown where the tendon meets the heel bone.

You may have Achilles Tendinitis if:

  • There is pain in the back of the heel after long periods of rest (sitting or sleeping).

  • Pain in the Achilles tendon after exercise.

  • The tendon is swollen and stays swollen.

  • You have pain due to extra bone growth (bone spur)

There are many options for treatment such as:

  • NSAIDs – Ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce swelling and pain.

  • Physical Therapy, strengthening, and stretching – PT can help to relax the tendon and strengthen muscles around the tendon to support it.

  • Orthotics – Shoes with heel supports can reduce physical irritation of the tendon, which may already be inflamed.

  • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy – ESWT may help stimulate the healing process of Achilles Tendinitis.

  • Surgery – There are many surgical options that can be undertaken if nonsurgical treatment doesn’t help improve symptoms.

If you have any of these symptoms, come see our board-certified doctor in Crofton, MD as soon as possible. Dr. Brad Toll of Crofton Podiatry will assess your condition and offer treatment solutions that fit you best. Leaving these symptoms untreated can lead to more severe pain and issues later on. Make an appointment with us today by calling our office at (410) 721-4505.

 

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By Brad Toll
January 25, 2014
Category: Foot Pain

Let’s talk about the future of Jimmy Graham for a moment.  In case you’ve missed it, Jimmy (a fabled tight end with the New Orleans Saints) was diagnosed in week 7 with an injury to his foot.  As the end of 2013 drew near, the controversy grew over the fate of Graham’s future career, with speculations ranging to every extreme. So just what exactly did Jimmy do, and just what does his future look like? 

Our feet are just as complex as our hands; featuring a similar formula of bones, ligaments and tendons.  In addition, they bear all of the pounding forces our bodies create as we walk.  Overtime, repeated impacts on our feet wear and tear our plantar fascia (the ligamentous band running along the bottom of our feet).  This prolonged stress creates micro-trauma in this band, bringing pain, inflammation and swelling to our feet until they are allowed to heal.

In Graham’s case, he was diagnosed with a partially torn plantar fascia.  And while he chose to play through the rest of the season, you can be sure it wasn’t without discomfort, and constant worry.  Thick tissues like fascia have a reduced blood supply, and as a result, take much longer to heal than other parts of the body.  Continuing to play on an already compromised fascia, Graham continued to damage an already weakened part of his body.  Running the risk of completing the tear in his inflamed fascia could result in an extremely painful and intense rupture of his fascial band.  Such an injury could set him back many months of training, and may cost him top dollars in his upcoming contract renewals.

In the end, it doesn’t take an NFL tight end to tear your plantar fascia.  It is easier than you think, and anyone from the weekend golfer to the Olympic athlete can experience complications.  If you are feeling pain in the bottom of your feet at the end of the day, or just as you are getting your morning started, come by and see Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry in Crofton, MD to get the best tips and tricks for reducing your foot pain and preventing damage to your plantar fascia. Dr. Toll is anexperienced foot and ankle surgeon, and has decades of expertise in preventing and treating foot injuries.

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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505