Items filtered by date: June 2023

The majority of people who have foot pain may suffer through their day, and seek relief when the pain and discomfort becomes worse. Foot pain may happen for a variety of reasons, including being overweight, having endured an injury, or wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Additionally, the aging process can cause foot pain, and many elderly people find the need to rest their feet during the day. Foot pain can also be caused by bunions, hammertoe, or arthritis. Plantar fasciitis is a common reason to have foot pain, which affects the heel. Anyone who has suffered from a broken foot or who has had an ankle sprain may be all too familiar with foot pain. There are effective techniques that may help to prevent foot pain from developing, and it is helpful to learn about these before purchasing shoes or embarking on a new physical activity. If you have foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer you treatment options, in addition to effective prevention methods.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Philip K. Schrumpf, DPM from Active Feet Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

There are congenital foot conditions that can affect newborn babies. A common abnormality is referred to as metatarsus adductus and is visible by the curve in the middle of the foot. Additionally, calcaneovalgus is evident as the foot is pushed up and out, making it difficult to point the foot down. Many times these conditions can gradually improve without medical attention and are generally not considered to be serious. Examples of complicated congenital foot ailments include clubfoot and congenital vertical talus. They may look similar to metatarsus adductus, however, prompt medical attention is needed for permanent relief. Treatment can consist of using casts soon after birth that are replaced weekly, and this is referred to as the Ponseti method. If your child has been born with a foot abnormality, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage your child’s foot condition.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Philip K. Schrumpf, DPM of Active Feet Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

A stiff and painful ankle is common after an ankle injury, such as an ankle sprain, fracture, or Achilles tendon tear. Stretching, mobilizing, and re-training can increase the mobility and functionality of the ankle. Patients are often put in a cast after an ankle injury, and while the immobilization helps with healing, it also creates swelling and inflammation. Dorsiflexion is important while walking and running, and occurs when the foot comes up towards the shin. This is one of the most frequent and limiting ranges of motion lost after an ankle problem. A quick, short-term option to relieve some of the stiffness is to wear shoes that have a heel or heel wedge. Longer term, it is suggested that you be under the care of a podiatrist who can help you with proper exercises and other relief options for stiff ankles.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Philip K. Schrumpf, DPM from Active Feet Clinic. Our doctor 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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 Missoula, MT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Drop foot is a foot condition that can develop in individuals when they experience some degree of difficulty in lifting the front of their foot. Drop foot often occurs due to nerve damage or after a stroke. There are many different exercises that you may consider practicing if you are someone that is currently struggling with drop foot. For example, a patient could potentially benefit from calf stretches because calf muscles may tighten due to drop foot. Additionally, a patient could combat their drop foot by performing balance-enhancing exercises. If you are living with drop foot, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can help you address any foot concerns you may be having.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Philip K. Schrumpf, DPM from Active Feet Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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