It happens all too frequently – you walk around barefoot and collide with a piece of furniture. For a split second you know what is coming and then the sharp pain begins. Stubbed toes hurt! Toes have little fatty tissue to absorb an impact, plus lots of nerve endings that send feedback to the central […]
Author: Your Next Step
Preventing Painful Foot Cramps
Ouch! Have you been awakened from sleep by severe foot or calf pain? Or after a vigorous run, did you feel intense pain in your calf? If so, you have suffered a muscle cramp, also known as a charley horse. These uncontrolled abrupt muscle contractions are generally harmless but quite painful. What Causes Foot Cramps? […]
Hammertoes: A Painful Toe Abnormality
Hammertoes is a common toe deformity that can be quite painful. If you have noticed that one or more of your inner toes look rigid or curled and that corns or calluses are appearing on the tops, you may have this condition. Hammertoes are caused by a tendon/muscle imbalance that can cause toes to bend […]
Heel Pain in Children May Be Sever’s Disease
Does your tween or teen complain of heel pain especially after physical activities like soccer, track, basketball and gymnastics? If so he or she may suffer from Sever’s disease. This chronic condition is a painful bone disorder resulting from an inflammation of the heel growth plate and usually occurs during the growth spurt in early […]
High Heels Are Risky High Fashion
Many women in the greater Philadelphia area believe that they look – and feel – their best while wearing high heels. But long-term high heel wearing can result in serious foot problems. Some conditions like calluses, corns and ingrown toenails and can be easily resolved. However, excessive wearing of high heels can also cause tendon […]
Lower Calf, Ankle or Heel Pain? You May Have Achilles Tendinitis
If you have pain along the back of your calf near your ankle or in your heel, especially after exercise, or stiffness and swelling especially first thing in the morning, you may have Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon connects your lower calf muscles to the heel bone. This tissue may become damaged with overuse or […]
Time for Back to School Shoe Shopping
The weather may still be hot here in the greater Philadelphia area but don’t be fooled – the first day of school is right around the corner. It’s time to take the kids shopping for new backpacks and, of course, school shoes. Make Smart Choices for Your Child’s Protection and Comfort Is your child begging […]
Don’t Suffer from Painful Corns and Calluses
It’s midsummer and the corn is “as high as an elephant’s eye” in Chester County. Everyone enjoys fresh corn this time of year, but there’s another type of corn that is not very welcome. Corns form on the feet where two toes rub against each other, causing a thickening of the skin with inflamed underlying […]
Protect Your Feet While Traveling
Planning a summer vacation trip? Whether you’re exploring the greater Philadelphia area or venturing further in the U.S. or even abroad, remember to pack necessities like tickets and sunscreen. But don’t neglect the basics – making sure your feet are ready to cover those miles is as important as renewing your passport. The podiatrists at […]
Flat Feet – More than Just a Shape
If you wet your feet and then stand on a concrete sidewalk, do you see the shape of your whole foot in the footprint? If so then you have flat feet. Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, result when the arch of the foot collapses as you stand so that the entire foot’s sole […]