With warmer weather now upon us, many children make a return to outdoor sports and activities. Many parents may eventually face the issue of their children experiencing heel pain. In adolescents, heel pain is often caused by Sever’s disease. Pain is typically described as being at the back of the heel; this is where the growth plate has not fully developed yet. Sever’s disease is thought to occur because of a mismatch in the growth of the heel bones to the calf muscle and Achilles tendon. Rest and pain relief are key parts of treatment.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Randy Garr of Bigfoot Podiatry. 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 Provo, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain that podiatrists see in their patients. Plantar fasciitis involves the irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue located on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch and connects the heel to the toes. Irritation and inflammation typically occurs after overusing or overstretching the fascia, creating symptoms of pain. Wearing shoes that are not appropriate for the physical activities you engage in can also cause plantar fasciitis. Preventing plantar fasciitis involves properly stretching the feet and wearing shoes that suit the specific activities you may be performing that day.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Randy Garr  from Bigfoot Podiatry. 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 Provo, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Regardless of the season, bunions and the pain associated with them plague athletes of all fields. Skiers, hockey players, basketball players, and other athletes involved in running sports are all susceptible to developing the condition. A bunion is characterized as a painful swelling of soft tissue and bone enlargement over the inner side of the ball of the big toe joint. With progression, the condition can become arthritic and may be accompanied by pain and the inability to wear shoes and walk comfortably. Treatment for bunions depends on the severity of the condition. In many cases, orthotics and wider fitting shoes can help, whereas more severe cases may call for surgery.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Dr. Randy Garr of Bigfoot Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 due to 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 worsen existing bunions

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 feel free to contact our office located in Provo, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Whether or not your shoes fit properly could be the difference between having healthy feet and having to walk around in pain. There are around 100 different working parts in your feet with 25% of all the bones of your skeleton residing inside your slippers. That being said, it is no wonder that wearing good quality, well-fitted shoes is extremely important for good foot and overall health. There are a few tips to follow when you are shoe-shopping: make sure to get your feet measured (they change size over time!), walk around the shoe store a bit with your new pair on, and buy activity appropriate footwear. This last point is especially important for running. Just because you’re not jogging in high heels doesn’t mean you’re wearing the right shoes.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Randy Garr from Bigfoot Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

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

Heel pain is a condition that plagues many people, and chronic cases can be especially difficult to endure. For many common cases of chronic heel pain, plantar fasciitis is the underlying culprit; plantar fasciitis affects all types of people, though most commonly active men between the ages of 40 and 70. Plantar fasciitis pain manifests in various ways. For some people, it can be described as dull; in other cases, people feel it as a sharp pain, a burning sensation, or an ache that extends outward from the heel. There are various factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis. To determine the cause of your heel pain and the best way to treat it, consult with your podiatrist.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Dr. Randy Garr of Bigfoot Podiatry. 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 Provo, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.