(410) 721-4505
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114
Did you know that undiagnosed foot and ankle problems can lead to excessive weight gain? Think about it! If you spend all day at work and come home to aching feet, the last thing you want to do is start exercising. High-impact cardio workouts trends have made exercising even more uncomfortable. Here’s the truth of the matter: the pain you’re experiencing isn’t normal, and you don’t have to just ‘deal’ with it. Just as importantly - if and when you do exercise, it doesn’t have to be high-impact to benefit you!
Continuing to follow a high-impact exercise routine, or any routine that is too demanding, can take an already painful situation and make it worse. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, fallen arches, bunions - these are all only going to become more problematic when they’re left unaddressed by a foot doctor.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Toll
Be upfront and honest about the aches and pains you experience
Ask Dr. Toll about what you can do at home for pain-free stretches and exercise
Start slow and steady when you do start exercising
Let Dr. Toll know about any additional problems
Stop activities if it becomes increasingly painful or strenuous
These are all important steps to think about when becoming active, but none are more important than being evaluated by your podiatrist first. Addressing, diagnosing, and treating issues that make it difficult or uncomfortable to be active are important before starting any new routine. Call us today at (410) 721-4505 to schedule your appointment. Crofton Podiatry is happy to serve patients in Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton and Bowie, MD.
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:
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.
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:
So what do you do when your foot cramps?
The best defense against foot cramps is prevention! Try some or all of the following to reduce your chances of experiencing painful foot cramps:
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.
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.
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.
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.
2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114