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Running can be great exercise but must be done with care to prevent injuries that can keep you off your feet. The most common cause of running injuries is overtraining. If you run too many miles, too quickly, and too often, you put an enormous amount of strain on your feet and ankles, significantly increasing your risk of injury. To stop this from happening, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Increase the distance, speed, or frequency of your runs one by one and slowly over time. Another common culprit behind running injuries is wearing the wrong shoes. Look for running shoes that fit properly and offer cushioning and support. If you’re a runner, a podiatrist can help you by treating any existing foot or ankle issues, prescribing orthotics if needed, and educating you about injury prevention. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM of Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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.

Your child’s feet will grow very quickly in the first 5 years of their life. Proper footwear during this time is very important in order to allow the bones in the feet to grow straight. When your child is just a baby, the bones in the toes are very soft, and shoes and socks that are too tight can restrict these bones from growing properly. In fact, shoes are not necessary for children until they are walking on their own, and even then, they are only needed for walking outside. It is important to also make sure that your child’s shoes are fastened with either laces or Velcro in order to keep the heel from slipping out of the shoe. Parents who have further questions about what shoes their child should be wearing as they grow can consult with a podiatrist for further advice and recommendations.  

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM of Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during 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. Here are some things to consider...

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 for 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 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.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the walls and valves of veins in the lower limbs do not function properly. This causes excessive pooling of blood in the lower limbs, resulting in heaviness, tension, swelling, aching, and cramping in the lower legs. One way to diagnose chronic venous insufficiency is through a venous Doppler ultrasound, which uses sound waves to show what the blood flow in the lower legs looks like. Ultrasounds are fast, safe, painless, and provide a great deal of data to help your doctor determine the correct diagnosis and monitor the health of your lower limbs. For more information about chronic venous insufficiency, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, 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.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

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.

Plantar fasciitis, the most common type of heel pain, is typically caused by overuse of the plantar fascia—the fibrous tissue on the sole of the foot that connects the heel bone with the toes. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia gets overly stretched or damaged, including small tears where this connective tissue joins with the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain on the bottom of the heel. It is often worse in the morning when you first wake up, since the plantar fascia has tightened overnight. As you begin stretching the plantar fascia with regular movement, the pain usually lessens, only to increase again as the day progresses. Plantar fasciitis can happen to anyone who overloads the plantar fascia through excessive exercise, obesity or pregnancy and wearing improper footwear, as well as those with diabetes or structural abnormalities in the feet. Podiatrists have many effective treatments for plantar fasciitis. If you are experiencing heel pain, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist near you.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. 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 one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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.

Cracked heels develop when the skin on the heels become dry and callused, and pressure from standing and walking create splits in the skin. Cracked heels can be caused by wearing shoes that expose the heels to the elements, aging skin, genetics, certain skin conditions or vitamin deficiencies, a lack of moisture in the skin, pressure from standing for prolonged periods of time, obesity, and more. Keeping your feet clean and moisturized, while improving the quality of skin through proper nutrition can help prevent cracked heels from occurring. If you have developed cracked heels that are not getting better or are deepening or bleeding, contact a podiatrist for treatment.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, 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.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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 are experiencing severe pain and swelling in the midfoot area and are having trouble bearing weight on your foot, you may have sustained a Lisfranc joint injury. This joint is a band of tissue that connects the long bones that lead to the toes to the tarsal bones in the arch and helps with alignment and strength of the foot. Bruising and an unusual widening of the foot are other signs of a problem. Injuries to this joint may occur directly, by dropping something heavy on your foot, or indirectly like the result from twisting your foot. It is most common in runners, athletes who play contact sports, and victims of car accidents. It can also be caused by something as simple as tripping on the stairs. In such injuries a ligament may be torn or stretched, or a bone may be fractured or dislocated. If your symptoms become worse, it’s a good idea to contact a podiatrist as quickly as possible for a full examination to determine a treatment plan. In the meantime it is suggested that you stay off the injured foot, wrap it to keep the swelling down, apply ice to the area, and keep it elevated when sitting or lying down.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, 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.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

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.

Among the many bones in the foot is the calcaneus, or heel bone, which forms the foundation for the back of the foot. Though the heel bone is hard to the touch, the inside is soft and spongy. When the outer portion is broken, like the shell of an egg, the bone tends to collapse and be fragmented. Injuries to the heel bone can be extremely severe, sometimes leading to arthritis and chronic pain. The most common cause of a heel bone fracture is a traumatic event, such as a fall from a ladder or a traffic accident. It also can occur as part of an ankle sprain, or less often as a stress fracture from running or other repetitive activity. Symptoms include pain in the heel, inability to bear weight on the heel, bruising and swelling. If you think you may have fractured your heel bone, avoid putting weight on it. Apply ice, wrap it, and elevate it while sitting or lying down. A call to your podiatrist is wise to get an immediate diagnosis and plan for treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Kaveh Panahi, DPM of Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

If you notice that your feet and ankles look puffy or swollen, you may have edema, an accumulation of fluids under the skin. It’s particularly common in the lower legs and feet. Edema, which may cause pain or discomfort when walking around or standing for long periods, can be caused by a number of factors. Among them are ill-fitting shoes, a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or heat. Luckily, a number of home remedies can help to alleviate the edema, such as keeping your feet elevated when sitting or lying down; eating healthier foods and reducing salt intake; and losing weight. A few simple exercises include standing up and moving around several times a day if you are sitting for long periods, rotating your ankles and bending your knees to increase circulation, and taking a brisk walk in the morning. If swelling persists or becomes painful, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist at your earliest convenience for a full examination, diagnosis and other treatment options.  

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, 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.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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.