April 2022

There is no mistaking an Achilles tendon injury when it occurs. This large tendon, located at the back of the calf, connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is responsible for pointing and flexing the feet, which is necessary in completing daily activities. An injury can happen from increasing running mileage and speed too quickly, which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Patients who have experienced this type of injury find it difficult to walk and are unable to bend their ankle. Mild relief may be found by taking anti-inflammatory medicine, and it may help to stretch the calves. Effective prevention techniques for an Achilles tendon injury includes strengthening the feet and calves as often as possible, which can help to ease the loading force on the tendon. This is accomplished by standing on a step, and lowering the heels one at a time, until a stretch is felt. An Achilles tendon injury often needs immediate attention, and it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can guide you toward the correct treatment techniques.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you are experiencing pain on the bottom of your heel, there is a good chance that you may have a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a connective tissue that links the heel with the toes. Because the plantar fascia is located on the sole of the feet, it helps absorb the body’s weight, and can become overly stressed during walking, running, and jumping movements. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and can make it difficult to walk. Common risk factors for plantar fasciitis include making certain repetitive movements (as in running) obesity, sudden weight gain (as in pregnancy), or by having flat feet or high arches or a tightened Achilles tendon. If you believe you have plantar fasciitis, make an appointment with a podiatrist to be properly diagnosed and to receive prompt and proper treatment.

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 one of our podiatrists from Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many patients choose to have foot surgery performed when other treatment options have failed. A common surgery is called bunionectomy, and this is successful in removing bunions. A bunion is defined as a bony protrusion on the side of the big toe and can cause pain and discomfort. Severe cases of arthritis in the feet may require surgery. This is accomplished by fusing the bones together which may eliminate existing pain. Heel surgery is done to find relief from foot conditions that can include heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. Patients who have Morton’s neuroma may benefit from having surgery performed that may involve cutting a piece of the nerve that was causing the condition. If you have foot pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can determine if surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If your ankles are painful, stiff, or swollen, there is a chance that it may be related to one of several types of arthritis. Dysfunction in the body’s immune system causes it to attack healthy tissues, including joints like the ankle. These types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and even juvenile arthritis, also known as a pediatric rheumatic disease. Gout is a form of arthritis that typically affects the big toe joint; however, it can also occur in the ankle joint. Gout is caused when an excessive amount of uric acid in the body forms sharp crystals that can lodge themselves into joint tissue causing severe pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, occurs when joint cartilage deteriorates and causes underlying bones (such as those in the ankles) to rub against each other. Certain infections can cause an inflammatory response in joints including the ankle. This condition is known as reactive arthritis. Someone with psoriasis of the skin may also develop psoriatic arthritis in their ankles. If you are experiencing any type of pain in your ankles, contact a podiatrist to have your condition properly diagnosed and treated.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.