Items filtered by date: April 2015
Blisters on the Feet
A blister on the foot, or any other part of the body for that matter, is a small pocket that is filled with fluid. It usually forms on the upper layer of the skin because these layers are loose enough to allow a blister to form. The most common fluid in a blister is just a clear, watery like fluid that should not cause any concern. However, blisters can fill up with blood if they are deep enough and even pus if they have become infected with bacteria.
Blisters almost always form on the feet due to shoes rubbing up against the foot, where the friction causes blisters. These can occur after you have walked for a long period of time for example, or when your shoes simply do not fit you properly. They also form faster and easier if your feet are moist, so keeping them dry and clean is a preventative step you can take to avoid getting blisters.
Preventing infection should be the number one concern when treating blisters, as well as alleviating the pain they can cause. Using a band aid to cover up the blister will help it heal and prevent bacteria from entering it. New skin will form under the blister and eventually cause it to pop, or you can take a pin and try to pop it yourself.
If the blister is filled with pus or blood, seeking treatment from a doctor is ideal. Antibiotics might need to be taken in order to completely eliminate the bacteria inside the blister, and that needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
However, one of the best ways to treat blisters is to prevent them all together. Keeping your feet dry and making sure that your shoes fit properly are just two of the steps you can take to prevent blisters. Shoes that are too tight or shoes that are too loose and allow your feet to slide in them will cause blisters. Applying a band aid to an area you think might get a blister before one pops up is another way you can prevent them.
Marathon Runners and Blisters on the Feet
Those who regularly participate in marathons are well aware of the mental and physical stress long distance running places on the body. At least 26.2 kinds of strains can occur.
The feet, in particular, are susceptible to blisters, chafing, calluses and lost toenails. The feet often become sweaty, and the constant pounding on the pavement can even cause trauma or the breakdown of red blood cells.
More serious issues, such as musculoskeletal problems and tendon injuries, can also result. Regardless of the strain, the feet should always be rewarded with rest after a race.
Blisters on the feet can be very inconvenient and especially painful whether you are a marathon runner or not. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs, contact podiatrist Dr. Edwin S. Hart III of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
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 attention from a doctor.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about blisters on the feet.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
- Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
- Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet
- Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
- Be watchful of any pain or injury
- Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
- Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play
Children of all ages are constantly developing and growing, and as a parent you want to make sure that nothing is hindering their maturation. This includes caring for their feet, as healthy feet are important in order to live a normal, fulfilling life.
Greenwood Elementary School Students Receive Proper Fitting Shoes
Nonprofit company Shoes That Fit has been partnering with schools across the country to ensure that students are wearing shoes that properly fit. Recently twenty-five members of Sole Fit Club visited Greenwood Elementary School where more than 100 students were fitted with the proper fitting shoe. The goal of the event was to improve their self-esteem while simultaneously allowing them to obtain better focus on their school work because of they now have shoes that fit correctly.
“ We can tell kids to wash their feet to avoid infection and change their socks every day, but when they don’t have proper shoes, their foot health is still not going to be good,” said event organizer Kathy Grigoropoulos.
Making sure that your child has the proper foot health is important as they grow up. If you have any questions contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart III of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
- Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
- Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet
- Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
- Be watchful of any pain or injury
- Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
- Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play
Children of all ages are constantly developing and growing, and as a parent you want to make sure that nothing is hindering their maturation. This includes caring for their feet, as healthy feet are important in order to live a normal, fulfilling life.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read More about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy
Foot Therapy for Sports Injuries
With regards to athletic injuries, one of the most common issues resides in the feet. Whether a damaging fracture that leaves athletes sidelined or simple turf toe, foot injuries can be very frustrating and painful. Regardless of sport, athletes require use of their feet in some fashion. This is why foot therapy is so vital in order to get athletes back on the right track and training again to return to the field.
No matter the injury, the best way to speed up the recovery period is to receive physical therapy. Physical therapy as a founded practice has proven to work for millions of people. Physical therapists are trained specifically to help people return to proper form from any injury, having gone through years of schooling in order to do so.
During physical therapy, you will go through organized training in order to get back into form. Sometimes training can be quite difficult, especially in the beginning when there is more pain and the foot feels awkward. To alleviate that you will do basic twisting and stretching exercises in order to get flexibility and foot mobility back up. The therapist will also massage the injured area in order to activate and relax muscles. Over time you will eventually move up to strengthening exercises, designed specifically so that activation of the injured area is ensured. Foot therapy for sports is a modern science miracle. Devoid of fancy chemicals and terminology, physical therapy is an evidence based practice that is well designed as any other. Due to huge advancements and knowledge of muscles and joints, physical therapists can turn catastrophic injuries around so athletes can return to the game once more.
Irish Dancer gets to Keep Dancing after Therapy
TJ Fedriko of Germansville, PA had his passion for Irish dancing jeopardized when he built up scar tissue in a joint of one of his feet. He states, “I was preparing myself not to ever dance, do any sports every again without pain.” The 18-year-old spent the next couple of months searching for a doctor that would cure his pain when he met Dr.
Gayanne Grossman who used the latest PT technology such as anti-gravity treadmills to evaluate what was causing the foot pain. Grossman was able to evaluate his foot, knee, and hip alignment to change any motor habits that will cause injury and increase strength. “[After] a short couple of weeks, I was having no pain and I just can’t believe it,” Fedriko stated.
Foot therapy is an important part of getting your feet back into shape after injury. If you have any concerns about your feet contact podiatrist Dr. Edwin S. Hart III of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Most common injuries
People who are constantly on their feet are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is important to take part in physical therapy in order to get back on the right track quickly.
What to do when injured
Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. This is important for those wanting to get back into the game quickly. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.
During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. These are some steps physical therapy often involves:
- Basic stretching & twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
- Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
- Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.
With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about foot therapy.
Gordon Ramsey Walks around Town with Brace due to Achilles tendon Injury
Last year Gordon Ramsey, celebrity chef, tore his Achilles tendon while preparing for the Iron Man triathlon. Since then the injury has not healed properly causing Ramsey to wear a brace to help support his foot. Recently Ramsey was seen walking around California with the brace since he is in the middle of a very intense fitness regime.
The chef had started participating in diets and triathlons a few years ago with the help of his wife after realizing that he could no longer see his mid-section anymore. He wears the brace and continues to hope for full recovery to return to his newly found athletic ways.
Achilles tendon injuries are very painful and need proper treatment. If you have pain in your Achilles tendon contact podiatrist Dr. Edwin S. Hart III from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can cause severe difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What are the symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
- Inflammation
- Dull to Severe Pain
- Increased blood flow to the tendon
- Thickening of the tendon
Rupture Symptoms
- Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
- Total immobility
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
- Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
- Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Achilles tendon injuries.