Items filtered by date: November 2023

For those individuals with diabetes, about half experience nerve damage, often affecting the feet and legs. Numbness, tingling, or no symptoms at all may arise, depriving diabetic patients of pain perception. While the idea of pain-free living seems attractive, it heightens the risk of overlooking minor foot problems, such as cuts or sores, which can escalate and pose serious problems. The absence of pain sensation can lead to severe complications, potentially resulting in limb loss if wounds or ulcers on the foot do not heal. Factors increasing the likelihood of nerve damage include poorly managed blood sugar, prolonged diabetes duration, age over 40, excess weight, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol. Nerve damage, coupled with poor blood flow, significantly elevates the risk of foot ulcers that resist healing and may become infected. Daily foot checks are pivotal. Vigilantly examining your feet allows for early issue identification and timely treatment, crucial in reducing serious complications. A podiatrist is medically trained to manage foot problems associated with diabetes, including wound care for ulcers and infections. If you have diabetes, it is suggested that you schedule regular visits with a podiatrist to monitor the health of your feet. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Spartan Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Battle Creek, and Marshall, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flat feet, also known as fallen arches or pes planus, is a common condition where the arches of the feet are significantly reduced or nonexistent. This can be caused by various factors and is often associated with a range of symptoms. The most common cause of flat feet is genetics, where an individual inherits the condition from their family. In some cases, arches may not fully develop during childhood, leading to flat feet. Other causes can include injuries, muscle or tendon imbalances, and conditions such as arthritis, which can weaken the arch-supporting structures. Symptoms of flat feet can vary, with some people experiencing pain and discomfort, particularly in the arch area or heels. Others may not have any noticeable symptoms at all. The condition can lead to overpronation, causing the feet to roll inward when walking, which may result in problems like shin splints or knee pain. If you have flat feet, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you relief and treatment options.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact the foot specialists from Spartan Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Battle Creek, and Marshall, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Baseball is a dynamic sport that requires players to engage in varied physical activities such as sprinting to bases, batting, throwing, and pitching. Players often experience rapid changes in movement, from running in straight sprints to shifting side to side while taking leads or fielding. Stability is vital, particularly in the lower body, to manage the force from these movements. The right foot is especially important due to its frequent contact with the base corners while running. Sliding injuries are common, with feet-first slides presenting a higher injury rate than head-first ones. Most injuries from sliding are minor, although some can sideline players for over a week. The introduction of breakaway bases has helped reduce such injuries. Pitchers need shoes with rigid soles for effective push-off, while catchers require flexibility in the forefoot due to their crouched position. All foot types, whether arched or flat, can adapt to the sport. Baseball injuries can vary, but a comprehensive approach to treatment includes a full history and physical exam, including an assessment of the player's shoes and gait. If you have endured a baseball foot injury, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with the foot specialists from Spartan Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Battle Creek, and Marshall, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Swollen feet can arise due to various health concerns, including skin infections and underlying health conditions. For instance, cellulitis is a painful bacterial infection causing swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected region. Particularly vulnerable are individuals with diabetes. They often face complications due to reduced healing ability and decreased sensation, which can lead to unnoticed injuries becoming infected and subsequently causing foot swelling. Another condition, lymphedema, results from impaired lymph flow, often due to damaged or removed lymph nodes. It can be congenital or caused by factors such as cancer treatments or infections. Heart failure, a severe medical condition, results in fluid accumulation, with swollen feet as a common symptom. Prolonged immobility can cause deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life-threatening blood clot. Kidney issues can also lead to swollen feet if fluid balance is disturbed. Additionally, liver disease, especially cirrhosis, can cause fluid accumulation in the lower extremities due to portal hypertension. If you have swollen feet that do not respond to rest, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to identify the root cause of the swelling and get treatment appropriate to what is discovered.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact the foot specialists of Spartan 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 offices located in Battle Creek, and Marshall, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.