Roxanne - Mobile Foot Health Practitioner

11/03/2024

Achilles tendonitis, occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot.
There are two large muscles in the calf. These create the power needed to push off with the foot or go up on the toes.
The large Achilles tendon connects these muscles to the heel and allows you to push your foot down. You use your Achilles tendon when walking, running, and jumping.
Tendonitis due to overuse is most common in younger people. It can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes. Tendonitis from arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older adults

The symptoms of achilles tendonitis include:

Pain in the heel and along the length of the tendon when walking or running
Pain and stiffness in the area in the morning
Pain in the achilles tendon when touched or moved
Swelling and warmth in the heel or along the tendon
Difficulty standing up on one toe

Diagnosis of Achilles Tendonitis

Your health care provider will first perform a physical exam. Your doctor will look for tenderness along the tendon and pain in the area of the tendon when you stand on your toes.
X-rays can help diagnose bone problems, and an MRI scan may be done if you are considering surgery or there is a chance that you have a tear in the Achilles tendon.

Treatment

Achilles tendonitis can often be treated without surgery. Your health care team can recommend changes to your normal activity that will help with your symptoms. A physical therapist can also show you stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon. It is important to remember that it may take at least two to three months for the pain of Achilles tendonitis to go away. If your pain does not improve, you may need surgery to remove inflamed tissue and abnormal areas of the tendon. If there is a bone spur irritating the tendon, surgery can be used to remove the spur

12/02/2024

Do you have cracked heels??

What are Cracked Heels?

A cracked heel is a common foot problem. It occurs when dry, thick skin on the bottom of your heels cracks and splits.

In most cases, if the cracks are minor, it’s merely a nuisance and may be unattractive to look at, but if left untreated and the heel fissures become deeper, it can be painful to walk and may become infected.

Causes & Risk Factors

There are several stages of developing a cracked heel. The first sign is the formation of dry, hard skin around the heel — these are called calluses. As you walk and put more pressure on the area, the fat pads under your heels expand, causing these calluses to start to develop small cracks.

Other factors that can cause cracked heels include:

Being on your feet for long periods of time, especially on hard floors
Hard and unsupportive footwear, like open-back sandals and shoes
Walking around barefoot as this provides no support for your feet
Obesity
Taking long, hot showers
Chronic conditions such as diabetes
Over time, the cracks will become deeper and they may begin to bleed. In severe cases, the cracks can lead to infection and if you are a diabetic, cracked heels can lead to diabetic foot ulcerations.

Symptoms
As well as the physical appearance of dry and cracked skin on your heels, you may also experience the following symptoms:

Pain and discomfort, especially while standing
Itchiness in the area
Bleeding from the cracks
Flaky skin
Warmth, redness & swelling may be present if there is an infection
Treatment
How do you usually treat dry skin? You moisturise!

If your condition is minor, start by moisturising your heels 2-3 times per day to help relieve your symptoms. You can use a pumice stone prior to moisturising, to remove any hard, dead skin that may prevent the moisturiser from sinking in effectively.

After a week of general foot care, if your symptoms persist, it may be time to consult a foot health professional.

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01/01/2024

Did you know …..
Toenail and hair growth can indicate good circulation
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01/01/2024