Items filtered by date: April 2017

When Queen Elizabeth II breaks in a new pair of shoes, she doesn’t; she has a member of her staff break in her footwear for her. For many people, breaking in a new pair of shoes often results in uncomfortable pain and the formation of tender blisters on the feet. To avoid this issue altogether, the Queen instead gives her shoes to a junior member of Buckingham Palace staff who wears the same size. These shoes are then reportedly broken in by the staff member, who fulfills this task by walking up and down the palace corridors until the shoes have softened and become more comfortable. Long-time dressmaker for the queen, Stewart Parvin, revealed this information. While you may not be able to have someone break in your shoes for you, blisters can be avoided by gradually breaking in new shoes over a period of time.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs are one of several conditions that can cause heel pain in the feet. A heel spur is an outgrowth of the heel bone that is pointed. Heel spurs can develop at the back of the heel, under the heel, or beneath the sole of the foot. The growths themselves are a result of calcium deposits that develop over a few months. Risk factors for the condition include walking gait abnormalities, running or jogging, poorly fitted shoes lacking support, being overweight, old age, diabetes, standing for long periods of time, frequent short bursts of physical activity, and having either flat feet or high arches.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Ankle pain is a condition that can affect anyone at any age. Depending on the severity of the condition, this pain can be very debilitating, limiting mobility and the ability to perform in sports or certain activities in one’s daily life. In growing children, ankle pain can manifest in the form of Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease is a condition in which the ankle’s calcaneus bone is not fully fused together, creating pain should the Achilles tendon pull on the area where it attaches. The condition typically develops in children who are very active. Along with pain, other symptoms include swelling and tenderness.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Whether or not your shoes fit properly could be the difference between having healthy feet and having to walk around in pain. There are around 100 different working parts in your feet with 25% of all the bones of your skeleton residing inside your slippers. That being said, it is no wonder that wearing good quality, well-fitted shoes is extremely important for good foot and overall health. There are a few tips to follow when you are shoe-shopping: make sure to get your feet measured (they change size over time!), walk around the shoe store a bit with your new pair on, and buy activity appropriate footwear. This last point is especially important for running. Just because you’re not jogging in high heels doesn’t mean you’re wearing the right shoes.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.