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Flip-flops have the potential to be very harmful for you feet, mainly because they fail to provide the feet with proper arch and heel support. Additionally, plantar fasciitis is an extremely painful foot condition that may be triggered by wearing unsuitable footwear such as flip-flops. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the long ligament that supports the foot arch (plantar fascia), becomes strained. While there isn’t a cure for the condition, ice and rest could be used as treatment. Furthermore, flip-flops can cause other problems such as blisters due to the constant rubbing that occurs while wearing them.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff  from Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Flip Flops and Feet

Heel pain is one of the most common foot ailments that people are forced to deal with. There are many possible causes for the pain, but the most common one is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is caused when the band of tissue that stretches from the heel to the metatarsal heads becomes inflamed. In order to treat the condition, non-surgical methods are often used first. Some of these treatments include stretching exercises, orthotics, splints, and injection therapy. While most people who have heel pain are suffering from plantar fasciitis, a few other sources of the pain could be achilles tendonitis, nerve pain, and bursitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff  from Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Plantar Fasciitis
Tuesday, 08 August 2017 00:00

Jayson Werth Suffers Foot Fracture

Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was placed on the disabled list earlier this season with a bruised foot. It was recently revealed, however, that the reason behind Werth’s injury was actually due to a foot fracture, and not a bruise. A recent MRI revealed that the outfielder has a “pretty decent fracture.” Werth is optimistic that his injury won’t take long to heal and is already participating in baseball activity. He is expected to participate in a rehab assignment before eventually rejoining the Washington Nationals.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

  • Bruising
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blue in color
  • Numbness
  • Cold
  • Misshapen
  • Cuts
  • Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

Read more about Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for a Broken Foot
Monday, 31 July 2017 00:00

Why Are My Feet So Sweaty?

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder in which the body produces an unnecessary amount of sweat in the eccrine glands. The condition affects both genders equally, and it is often classified as either a primary or secondary condition. Primary hyperhidrosis tends to take place in the hands, feet, or it can be generalized, meaning it occurs throughout the entire body. If your hyperhidrosis has been classified as a secondary medical condition, this means it has been triggered by another pre-existing medical problem you have. If you are experiencing chronic sweaty feet, make sure to keep them as dry as possible, keep your socks clean, and see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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

Read more about Hyperhidrosis of the Feet
Monday, 24 July 2017 00:00

Summer Footcare Tips

Our feet tend to be at their most vulnerable state during the summer months, when we use them the most. It is essential that you take care of your feet, so that you are free to be able to enjoy your summer activities without experiencing any pain. One of the most crucial tips for taking care of your feet is to not walk around barefoot. Walking without shoes will make you more prone to getting sunburn, athlete’s foot, and other injuries. You should also make sure you are wearing proper footwear that is comfortable and supportive. Sandals and flip-flops may be the most trendy footwear choices, but they do not offer optimum protection for your feet. Lastly, you should also seek medical attention for any problems you may have with your feet. Any untreated foot problem you are experiencing can easily progress into something much worse if you don’t seek treatment for it.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Every Day Foot Care

A lot of parents are unknowingly causing harm to their children’s feet by putting them in dangerous footwear. These parents are buying heels for their young girls and flip-flops for their young boys. These two types of shoes should not be worn on a regular basis by anyone, especially children who haven’t had their feet properly develop yet. It is advised that kids do not wear any shoes with a heel larger than two inches because heeled shoes place too much pressure on the ball of the foot. According to a study, “About 55 percent of children had suffered injuries by wearing shoes which were either too small or unsuitable.”

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy

Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is currently recovering from foot surgery and unfortunately may miss the start of the 2017-2018 season. Karlsson suffered the injury during the postseason but is expected to be rehabilitating it until October. According to the team’s general manager, “Erik underwent surgery earlier today in Charlotte, North Carolina, to repair torn tendons in his left foot. The tears, which occurred during this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, were found during an MRI as part of an extensive medical evaluation following the season.” It is expected that Karlsson’s recovery process will last about four months.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Read more about Foot Surgery
Monday, 03 July 2017 00:00

How Alcohol May Be Linked to Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis, and it occurs as a result of uric acid buildup in the blood. This buildup of uric acid forms needle-like crystals which may cause severe pain in the joints and swelling. Although gout can be managed with proper prescription medications, people who have it should also try to make dietary changes to reduce symptoms. Studies have shown that “men who drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day - especially beer - could increase their chance of getting gout.” Researchers found that the alcoholic content in beer not only impairs the liver’s ability to detoxify uric acid, but it also affects the kidney’s ability to get rid of it. If you struggle with gout, you should consult with your podiatrist to figure out the best ways to prevent an attack in the future.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Read more about Everything You Need to Know About Gout
Tuesday, 27 June 2017 00:00

Why You Should Flip Out About Flip-Flops

It is no secret that flip-flops can be harmful for your feet. While these noisy shoes may offer a bit more protection for your feet compared to walking barefoot, they do not offer any arch or heel support. Flip-flops can cause small problems such as corns and calluses, or it can cause more serious conditions such as plantar fasciitis. You should also be aware of the fact that flip-flops may cause you to injure yourself by tripping or falling. Flip-flops should only be worn for a short amount of time and are not meant for long-term use. However, if you opt to wear them you should look for a pair that are high quality and made out of leather. The leather material will help prevent blisters and other types of irritation.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

  • Ankle problems
  • Hip problems
  • Lower back problems
  • Pain in the balls of the feet
  • Problems with foot arches
  • Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

  • Sprained ankles
  • Blisters
  • Infections
  • Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

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

Read more about Flip Flops and Feet

There are certain features that you should ensure your shoes have before you decide to start running. It is crucial that your shoe has arch support, cushioning, and traction in order to improve your running mechanics. The amount of support that you need in your shoe depends greatly on the arch of your foot. For example, people who have feet with high arches do not need shoes with a lot of support, since these may result in injury for them. It is important that you are aware of what type of foot arch you have so that you can find the perfect running shoe for you. Your podiatrist can help you evaluate your foot arch height as well as other factors that will help determine what running shoe you should purchase.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 going 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
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