August 2022

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions that causes heel pain. The plantar fascia is a long band composed of tissue, running from the heel to the toes. The plantar fascia also makes up the arch of the foot. When this band of tissue becomes irritated or inflamed, it is known as plantar fasciitis. This condition can be treated in several ways. If you do not respond to any of the less severe treatment options like orthotics or anti-inflammatory medications, you might be a candidate for a surgical procedure. The surgery, known as plantar fasciotomy, is a procedure that essentially moves the affected fascia away from the heel bone. This is done to ultimately reduce the tension that is causing the condition. There are two main kinds of surgery for plantar fasciitis. First, you may have an open surgery, which is performed in a hospital and includes making a 1-2 inch incision. Alternatively, you may have an endoscopic surgery, which involves making two small incisions that are less than half an inch deep. There are a variety of factors that can determine whether you are a candidate for this kind of surgery. If you are interested in this treatment and want to learn more, contact a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM  from Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that affects the nerves generally between the third and fourth toes. It is defined as a thickening of the tissue surrounding the toes, and it can cause severe pain and discomfort. It can be thought of as a lump of scar tissue in the foot. It may gradually develop from frequently wearing high heels, or if there has been a foot injury. The nerve can become irritated, and there may be a tingling sensation, or a loss of feeling. Some patients feel the pain in the ball of their foot, and this often becomes worse as time progresses. Specific imaging tests may be performed to determine a correct diagnosis, and the foot may be manipulated to reproduce the symptoms. Relief can come from changing the shoes that are worn, and it may help to wear custom-made orthotics which may lessen the pressure from the neuroma. Additionally, it is beneficial to temporarily stop any physical activity, and this may help to reduce the discomfort. If you feel you have developed Morton’s neuroma, it is advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can guide you toward correct treatment options.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM of Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

The ankle is a complex structure composed of three bones known as the tibia, fibula, and talus along with ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Ankle stability is very important, as this joint needs to be able to withstand 1.5 times the body’s weight when walking and 8 times the body’s weight when running. Because the ankle is so critical in movement and bearing weight it can be prone to certain painful injuries such as ankle sprains, fractures, nerve compression, and tendonitis. Ankle pain can also be caused by certain diseases that attack joints such as arthritis, gout (a form of arthritis), and diabetes. Ankle pain and discomfort can vary depending upon the source ranging from stiffness, warmth, redness, and inflammation, to varying degrees of pain and/or immobility. If you have any kind of ankle pain, have a podiatrist examine you and diagnose your condition. Proper treatment is critical to relieve pain and help your ankle to heal properly.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Kaveh Panahi, DPM from Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. 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
• 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 Peoria, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have a job that requires standing on your feet all day, you may think you just need to get used to foot pain, heel pain, swelling, blisters, back pain, sore muscles, and more. Not true! There are many things you can, and should, do to protect your feet and stay comfortable. The best thing you can do is invest in a good pair of shoes that offer proper support in your arch and heel, while giving your toes plenty of room to move. A pair of customized orthotics from a podiatrist can boost your level of comfort and support, while correcting any alignment issues that might be causing stress throughout your body. Also, take every break you are allowed to, and use the opportunity to get off your feet, while stretching and elevating them. Additionally, strengthening your foot and leg muscles through exercise will build up their endurance and help you better prepare your entire body for a long day’s work. Check with your podiatrist for further measures and foot care that will help you remain comfortable and healthy while standing at work. 

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM from Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, ways to improve and maintain good foot health is to regularly perform stretches and exercises for the feet. These stretches are important for several reasons. Most importantly, regularly and intentionally stretching the feet is an excellent way to improve the strength of the muscles in the feet. When the muscles in the feet are stronger, this can make the foot more stable and agile. This benefit of increased stability and agility can be especially important for runners who can benefit from this the most. For example, when someone runs, they can put up to two to three times their natural body weight onto one foot at a time. Therefore, strengthened foot muscles from stretching can help runners go faster and further. Additionally, stretching can help your feet by making suffering an injury less likely. When your feet are stronger and the muscles are more fortified, rolling your feet inward becomes less likely. Stronger feet are also more protected against conditions such as plantar fasciitis, neuromas, and stress fractures. Again, runners stand to benefit because suffering from an injury or foot affliction can make continuing to run difficult. If you are a runner or simply want to improve the strength of your feet, consider consulting a podiatrist who can teach you helpful stretches for the feet.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Kaveh Panahi, DPM from Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

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