September 2021

A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in the treatment of foot conditions. There are many issues with the feet that can develop that a podiatrist should address. For example, if you have a wound or sore that won’t heal, a podiatrist should examine it, especially if you have diabetes. Any joint pain, pain with elevated legs, pain that increases with activity, or severe pain that lasts more than a day, can be from a variety of issues. Numbness, tingling or a burning can indicate neuropathy. Any discolorations in the feet or toes should be looked at as well because of the possibility of an infection. Lastly, if you are starting to run more often, a podiatrist can help identify potential problems and give advice to avoid them. If you have any other questions about issues regarding your feet, don’t hesitate to ask your podiatrist.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

The ankle joint is designed to support the whole body through a complex network of bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Injury or disease to any one of these parts can be debilitating. One of the most common forms of ankle pain is from an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains often occur from stepping on an uneven surface or from a sporting accident that causes the ligaments connecting the bones to become partially or completely torn. Tendonitis is another common cause of ankle pain. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons, which connect the muscles to the bones, become inflamed. Arthritis, which occurs when joints become inflamed, can also lead to ankle pain. There are a variety of other sources of ankle pain, and patients who notice pain in their ankle should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. 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
• 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 Little Elm, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When a woman is pregnant, many changes occur in her feet. The fluctuation in hormone levels during pregnancy can cause muscles to weaken, and ligaments to loosen in the feet and ankles. This can cause arches to fall and the feet to roll inward due to increased strain. Pain may also be felt in the arch and inside the ankle. These factors, along with the additional weight gain during pregnancy, can contribute to an inflammation in the connective tissue between the toes and heel bone (plantar fasciitis). Additionally, it is widely believed that many women come out of pregnancy with wider and longer feet. There are strengthening exercises, orthotics, as well as other methods that a podiatrist can deploy to help relieve pressure and support the foot structure during pregnancy.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

Heel spurs are bony growths that can develop on the heels, usually due to small, repetitive traumas to the area. Heel spurs may develop from exercising, wearing poorly-fitted shoes, carrying excess body weight, or having an abnormal gait or arthritis. Heel spurs typically occur in one of two areas. Heel spurs that form on the back of the heel are associated with Achilles tendon inflammation. Heel spurs that form on the underside of the heel are associated with plantar fasciitis. In some cases heel spurs cause no symptoms and are only detected incidentally during X-rays. In other cases, heel spurs can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness. If you are experiencing any heel pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

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 Alex Kim, DPM from AVID Foot & Ankle Center. 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 our office located in Little Elm, TX . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

An ingrown toenail may develop when the toenail grows into the skin instead of over it. It generally occurs in the big toe, and it can cause severe pain and discomfort. General cause of this condition can include enduring a toe injury or from cutting the toenails incorrectly. Additionally, many patients may develop ingrown toenails from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Common symptoms that many patients experience include swelling and redness surrounding the affected toe as well as a discharge with ingrown toenails that are infected. There are various forms of treatment for an ingrown toenail, and patients who have one should consult with a podiatrist who can help find the correct treatment for their situation.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Alex Kim, DPM of AVID Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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