Our Ballantyne Podiatrist Answers FAQs About Foot Surgery!

Your feet are the foundation of your body, supporting you with every step you take. We understand that maintaining foot health is crucial to your overall well-being and mobility. In honor of April being National Foot Health Awareness Month, this blog explores why foot health should never be overlooked and provides tips for keeping your feet healthy. Why Foot Health Matters The human foot is a complex structure of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This intricate design allows for movements such as walking, running, and jumping. However, it also means that many things can go wrong if not cared for properly. Poor foot health can lead to a range of issues from simple aches and pains to more severe conditions like plantar fasciitis or diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, problems in your feet can affect other parts of your body, including your knees, hips, and back. Tips for Maintaining Healthy Feet Regular Check-ups: Just like regular dentist visits, regular check-ups with a podiatrist, especially during National Foot Health Awareness Month, can help catch foot problems before they become serious. Proper Footwear: Wear shoes that fit well and provide good support. Different activities require different types of shoes – what you wear for running is not suitable for a day at work. Foot Hygiene: Wash your feet daily, dry them thoroughly to prevent infections, and change socks daily. Stay Active: Regular exercise helps keep your feet and body healthy. Remember to stretch your feet and ankles before and after workouts. Manage Your Weight: Extra weight puts additional pressure on your feet, increasing the risk of foot disorders. Common Foot Conditions and Treatments Plantar Fasciitis: Often felt as heel pain, treated with exercises, proper footwear, and sometimes orthotics. Bunions: Misaligned big toe joints that can become swollen and tender. Treatment options include wearing comfortable shoes, pads, and in severe cases, surgery. Diabetic Foot Care: People with diabetes need to take extra care of their feet as poor blood circulation and nerve damage can lead to serious foot problems. We believe in a proactive approach to foot health. Whether you're an athlete, a busy professional, or enjoying retirement, taking good care of your feet is a step toward a healthier life. Celebrate National Foot Health Awareness Month with us and schedule an appointment today to learn how you can better care for your feet and enhance your overall wellness.

As the flowers bloom and the weather warms up, spring invites us to enjoy more outdoor activities. Whether you're gearing up for jogging, gardening, or playing sports, having your feet in top condition is essential. Here’s how to ensure your feet are ready to take on all your spring adventures! 1. Start with a Solid Foundation: Wear the Right Shoes Finding the right footwear is crucial. Look for shoes that support your foot type and the activity you're engaging in. Well-fitted, activity-appropriate shoes can prevent blisters, calluses, and other foot injuries. 2. Stretching: The Key to Flexibility Before you leap into action, remember to stretch. Gentle stretching not only improves your overall flexibility but also helps prevent foot injuries. Focus on stretches that target the Achilles tendon, calves, and toes. 3. Gradual Progression If you've been less active during the winter, ease into your spring activities. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to avoid overuse injuries, such as plantar fasciitis or stress fractures. 4. Hydrate and Nourish Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet are essential for foot health. Proper hydration prevents cramps, while a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D supports bone health. 5. Regular Foot Checks Examine your feet regularly for any signs of injury, such as cuts, blisters, or unusual swelling. Early detection of foot problems can prevent further complications. 6. Professional Foot Care Visit a podiatrist annually for a professional check-up. This is especially important if you have ongoing foot issues, diabetes, or other health conditions that affect your feet. 7. Keep Them Clean and Dry Maintaining clean and dry feet reduces the risk of fungal infections. After washing, dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. 8. Moisturize Spring can bring dry conditions that may lead to cracked heels or dry skin. Use a good foot moisturizer daily to keep your skin supple and prevent cracking. 9. Listen to Your Feet Pay attention to what your feet are telling you. Pain, discomfort, or tiredness should not be ignored. These could be signs that you need to adjust your footwear or take a break from certain activities. 10. Enjoy Responsibly Most importantly, enjoy your activities responsibly. Spring is a wonderful time to explore and have fun, but keeping your feet healthy ensures that you can continue to enjoy your favorite activities without pain or discomfort.

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it's the perfect opportunity to focus on your foot and ankle health. Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a casual walker, or someone looking to boost their physical activity this year, our team of expert podiatrists is ready to support you every step of the way. Our practice offers a wide array of services to help you keep your feet and ankles in excellent shape. Here's what you can expect when you visit us: Achilles Tendon Care: Expert treatment for tendon injuries to keep you moving smoothly. Arthritis Treatment: Innovative strategies to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility. Bunion Care: From pain relief solutions to corrective procedures, we've got you covered. Comprehensive Foot Examinations: Early detection and preventive care to keep you one step ahead. Custom Orthotics: Designed to fit your unique foot structure and meet your specific needs. Diabetic Foot Care: Specialized management to prevent and address complications associated with diabetes. Hammertoe Treatment: Options to correct hammertoe deformities and restore comfort. Heel Pain/Plantar Fasciitis Care: Targeted treatments to eliminate pain and enhance foot function. Ingrown Nail Care: Quick and effective relief to prevent pain and infection. Routine Podiatric Care: Maintain your foot health and comfort with regular check-ups. Sports-Related Injury Care: Comprehensive care to help athletes recover and return to their sports. Surgical Treatments: We offer both minimally invasive and advanced surgical options, depending on your needs. As a proud member of the US Foot and Ankle Specialists (USFAS) network, we serve patients at over 200 locations nationwide and accept most major insurances. This means you're never far away from receiving the best podiatric care available. Don’t let foot pain or discomfort slow you down this year. Make an appointment with us and take the first step towards a more active and healthy lifestyle. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your visit. Here’s to stepping into a healthy and active new year with confidence!

Improve Your Foot Health with Custom Orthotics

Improve Your Foot Health with Custom Orthotics

With spring fast approaching, you might be eager to ditch your winter boots and feel the grass in-between your toes. But hold on before pulling your socks off: Going barefoot has many negative consequences, like fungus infections, plantar warts, and puncture wounds, just to name a few!

If you’ve recently had foot surgery in South Park, and are wearing a cast to limit your movements while you recover, then you are probably on the right track for feeling better and permanently reducing your foot or ankle pain.

If you are planning to have foot surgery in Concord NC, or suspect that you may require foot surgery sometime in the near future, you may have a lot of questions about the treatment and recovery process.

When you are experiencing pain from a foot or ankle injury, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether you should visit a general practitioner, or a foot specialist. In today’s post, our Harrisburg podiatrist shares some of the top indications that you should see a specialist, who can offer