February 2022

As popular as they are, high heels can bring a variety of long-term consequences to the overall health of the feet. Because they cause strides to be shorter and with more force and cause the toes to be in a flexed position, the calf muscles can shorten and may strain easily. Also, once someone who regularly wears high heels starts wearing flat shoes, like sneakers or flip flops, there is an increased chance of injury due to the feet being placed in a new environment. A variety of conditions can be caused by regularly wearing high heels, including hammertoes, bunions, sprained ankles, bone fractures, or ligament tears. If you have been injured because of wearing high heels, or simply seek advice on avoiding injuries, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for more information.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our doctors from Coral Desert Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. George and Kanab, UT, and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Nothing is more embarrassing than having to take off your shoes in public if you have bromodosis, which is the medical term for smelly feet. What causes bromodosis? Bacteria releasing a foul odor as it metabolizes sweat that has accumulated on your skin. Proper hygiene and foot care can usually help you keep bromodosis at bay. Be sure to wash and dry your feet at least once daily. Try antifungal or antibacterial soap. Dry thoroughly between toes and remove any hardened dead skin which are places where bacteria can thrive. Keep your toenails clean and trimmed. Be sure to put on a fresh pair of socks at least once a day, and possibly more if you exercise or live in a hot climate. Moisture-wicking socks that draw moisture away from your skin are best. Shoes should not fit tightly. They should also be switched out every day so they can dry out to prevent bacteria from growing in them. You can also try antifungal foot spray, medicated foot powder, or even foot soaks. Contact your podiatrist if these measures do not get rid of your bromodosis, or if you believe you may have excessively sweaty feet, medically referred to as hyperhydrosis.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our doctors from Coral Desert Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. George and Kanab, UT, and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Having heel pain is a common complaint, especially among runners and older adults. A  common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, when the tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes damaged or inflamed. Certain stretching exercises and medication can help to alleviate these symptoms. As you age, the padding under the heel diminishes and heel pain is more likely to occur, especially if you are overweight. Sometimes just stopping any foot-pounding activity, such as running, is enough to help reduce the pain. Eating healthier meals to lose weight, resting your heels more often, and wearing shoes with better cushioning may also lessen the pain. Wearing orthotic inserts in your shoes can help as well. If heel pain continues or becomes more severe, it’s a good idea to seek the guidance of a podiatrist who can examine your feet, diagnose the cause, and offer various treatment options.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our doctors of Coral Desert Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in St. George and Kanab, UT, and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle impingement occurs when either soft tissue or bone fragments get compressed, or trapped, if you bend your ankle. This impingement is usually a result of an acute injury, or prolonged stress from repetitive activities. Ankle impingement can either be anterior (affecting the front part of the ankle) or posterior (affecting the back part of the ankle). Anterior ankle impingement usually causes pain on the front/outside of the ankle when the ankle is bent upward (dorsiflexion). Posterior ankle impingement can produce pain in the back of the heel when the ankle is pointed downward (plantarflexion). Ankle impingement is often diagnosed in athletes who play soccer and football, as well as in dancers, gymnasts, and runners. If you have this type of ankle pain, a podiatrist can help you restore ankle stability with certain strengthening exercises, while treating pain and inflammation with rest, icing, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or even surgery in some cases.

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 doctors from Coral Desert Foot & Ankle. 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 tendinitis
• 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 one of our offices located in St. George and Kanab, UT, and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.