Items filtered by date: February 2024

Starting your journey as a runner can be a fulfilling endeavor for both physical fitness and mental well-being, but it's important to approach it with caution to avoid injury. Begin by setting realistic goals and pace yourself according to your fitness level. Invest in quality running shoes that provide proper support, cushioning, and fit. To build endurance gradually, try the run-walk-run method, alternating between running and walking intervals. Always warm up before and cool down after each run, with dynamic and static stretches respectively, to prepare your muscles and aid recovery. Increase your mileage gradually to avoid overexertion, aiming for consistency in your running routine with three to four runs per week. Incorporate various types of runs, such as interval training and hill repeats. Listen to your body and take rest days as needed, paying attention to any signs of discomfort or persistent pain. If you sustain an injury from running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors 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 New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Measuring your baby's feet for the right shoe size is essential for their comfort and healthy foot development. Begin by grabbing a piece of paper and a pencil to trace your baby's foot. Place the paper on a flat surface and gently press your baby's foot onto it, ensuring it lies flat without curling toes. Carefully trace the outline of their foot with the pencil. Once the outline is complete, use a ruler to measure the length from the heel to the longest toe. Repeat the process for both feet, as slight differences in size are common. With the measurements in hand, refer to the sizing chart provided by the shoe manufacturer or retailer to determine the appropriate shoe size for your baby. Remember that baby shoe sizes can vary between brands, so it is a good idea to consult the specific sizing guidelines for accurate fitting. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your baby's feet are comfortably supported as they explore the world around them. If you are seeking more detailed guidelines about how to measure your baby’s feet or if their shoes are causing them problems, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Tendonitis of the foot and ankle can cause discomfort and pain, often due to overuse or injury. The tendons that connect muscles to bones become inflamed, leading to symptoms like swelling and aching. There are various types of tendonitis affecting different parts of the foot and ankle, including Achilles tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis, flexor tendonitis, and extensor tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis typically results from increased activity levels, new sports, or wearing ill-fitting footwear. It generally responds well to conservative treatments. Posterior tibial tendonitis is associated with flat feet and may require braces or orthotics. Peroneal tendonitis affects the outer ankle and can be linked to high-arched feet and previous ankle sprains. Flexor tendonitis is common among dancers and those who balance on their toes, while extensor tendonitis is often caused by friction with tight shoes or certain medical conditions. Common causes include overuse, abnormal foot structure, trauma, or underlying medical conditions such as arthritis. Diagnosis involves medical history, X-rays, or MRI scans to determine the extent of the injury. If you have tendon pain in the foot or ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment, and to learn about prevention measures.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors 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 tendonitis
• 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 our office located in New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Understanding the causes of swollen feet, also known as edema, is important as this condition can signal other more serious ailments. Swelling of the feet is often accompanied by tenderness, pain, redness or warmth. In more severe cases, a decreased range of motion, difficulty breathing, and changes in skin color may occur. Injuries such as sprains and bruises frequently trigger swelling, as do infections like cellulitis. Chronic conditions like heart failure and kidney disease can lead to persistent edema, while pregnancy often causes swelling in the feet and ankles due to hormonal changes and increased blood volume. Allergic reactions and certain medications, like NSAIDs and steroids, can also induce swelling in the feet as a side effect. Treatment may include rest, elevation, compression therapy, medication adjustments, or medical interventions, such as drainage procedures or specialized footwear. If you are experiencing persistent swelling in the feet, it is suggested that you seek guidance from a podiatrist who can conduct an exam, identify the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.