A stress fracture is an injury that any runner is wary of suffering. The injury is in particular very debilitating due to its longer recovery time, which varies from four to six weeks and is enough to put any training regimen to a standstill. Stress fractures vary from other bone breaks because they are slow-developing and develop gradually. To minimize your risk for developing a stress fracture, be sure to wear shoes with proper support and avoid overtraining. As calcium and vitamin D deficiencies can increase the risk of stress fractures, it is also important to also maintain a nutritional diet.   

Stress fractures can become painful if left untreated for an extended period of time. If you would like assistance in treating a stress fracture, consult with one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors can determine the severity of your condition and provide you with quality care.

Coping with Podiatric Stress Fractures

Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken as a result of overexertion or underuse.  As a result, the ankles and feet lose support when walking or running from the ground. Since these bones are not protected, they receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes the bones to form cracks.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress Fractures are very common among those who are highly active and involved in sports or activities that make excessive use of their legs and feet. Stress fractures are especially common among:

-athletes (gymnasts, tennis players, basketball players)
-runners/joggers
-osteoporosis patients
-those who engage in high-intensity workouts

Stress Fracture Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be either constant or periodic. The pain is usually sharp or dull, accompanied by swelling and tenderness. Engagement in any kind of high impact activity will exacerbate the pain.

If you have any questions, please contact our offices located in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Bunions are a foot condition that can become especially painful over time if not treated properly. While many patients assume that surgery is the only real option to treat bunions, experts suggest trying other conservative treatment options before attempting anything invasive. Mayo Clinic suggests first making changes in your footwear by choosing shoes with a wide toe box and soft leather uppers to relieve pressure. Certain over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also help relieve bunion pain. It best to discuss your options with your podiatrist, who can help you determine the best treatment method for your needs.   

To avoid extended pain, consider bunion treatment as soon as possible. For more information about bunion treatments, consult with one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

• Genetics – susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary
• Stress on the feet – poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please contact our offices located in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Recent studies have showed that a number of health problems can stem from the feet being subjected to great amounts of pressure for long periods of time. High heels are one of the many sources of such pressure, and a recent BuzzFeed video has reported that even a 1-inch heel can put “22 perecent more pressure on the ball of the foot than flat shoes”. A 3-inch heel inflicts a 76 percent increase in pressure. High heels can be the source of conditions such as calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, and Achilles tendon strains, plantar fasciitis, and ankle sprains.

High heels can create a myriad of foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity.  Despite their appeal, they can cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts 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.  Also, 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; you can buy either full inserts or metatarsal pads. 

If you have any questions, please contact our offices located in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Women Who Care of Branch County chose the Happy Feet program for their quarterly $100 donation by each woman in the group.  A total of $8,500 was donated to the Altrusa Happy Feet Fund, which is held at the Branch County Community Foundation. Established in 2008, Happy Feet is an organization that understands the need for children ages 1-19 to have adequate fitting shoes and socks. Since then, Happy Feet has purchased 2,400 pairs of shoes and socks which have been donated back to the children of Branch County.  

Making sure that your children maintain foot health is very important as they grow up. If you have any questions contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors 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’. 

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

If you have any questions, please contact our offices located in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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When Stefan Pressley cashed in his earnings from working at a junkyard all summer, the original plan was to purchase a new car. Instead, the high school senior bought running shoes for his cross country team. The cross country captain purchased five pairs that totaled to an amount of $540 at running specialty store Running Wild. “My team is my family, and I want them to have the best season,” Pressley shared. “This is my last year, so I want them to remember the example I’ve set when I leave.”  

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, see one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

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

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