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Crofton, MD 21114

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Posts for category: Foot Pain

By Crofton Podiatry
May 08, 2019
Category: Foot Pain

While many of us work at desk jobs, many others do not. Still, it is not uncommon for us to develop sore feet not from a callus or other medical malady, but from simple overuse. Careers that require long periods of standing or walking such as construction, sports, medicine or education see tired feet as a normal, but not welcome part of the job. So how do we deal with this? I suggest the following:

Ways to Soothe Tired and Achy Feet:

  • Soak your feet – soak your feet in a tub of warm water mixed with Epsom salt. Soak for about 20 minutes. This can relieve sore muscles and reduce swelling. 1 cup of Epsom salt to a tub of warm water.
  • Stretch – slowly stretch your foot muscles including your toes and ankle careful not to over extend each. Slow, steady pressure in one direction will gradually loosen tight muscles and promote the free flow of blood in your circulatory system replenishing all important red blood cells.
  • Get a foot massage – sit and rub the bottom of your feet careful to treat the whole sole. Include your toes and calves.
  • Soak in ice – with painful and swollen feet you can also soak them in a combination of ice and water. 
  • Cushion your feet – use an insole or orthotic to properly support and/or cushion your feet.
  • Proper fitting shoes – check your footwear to make sure they are the proper size and provide proper support especially in the arches. If not, get new footwear. Your podiatrist can make suggestions.

Sore feet are a common occurrence and are a valid reason to see your podiatrist. Doing so will ensure that the problem is relatively minor unless other conditions are contributing to your discomfort.

If you’re suffering from sore feet or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. 

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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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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

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