Items filtered by date: May 2022

Injuries of any kind are not fun, and they are particularly frustrating when you enjoy running for exercise or are trying to build your training regimen in preparation for a big race. Though most running injuries happen from overuse, some occur because of falls or other accidents. Common running injuries include knee pain, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis causing heel pain. Thankfully, most running injuries are preventable. Cultivating good habits should be a first step in preventing such injuries. These include doing warm up stretching and strengthening exercises prior to running, wearing good running shoes (and replacing them regularly), building up speed and distance slowly, taking rest days, maintaining good running form, keeping attention and awareness while running, staying properly hydrated, and changing up terrain. If you are a runner and suffer from foot or ankle pain or get injured, a podiatrist can help diagnose the problem and come up with a treatment plan that will help you get back to your sport as quickly as possible.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. James D. McAlexander of Gig Harbor Foot and Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

The two small bones in the ball of the foot under the joint of the big toe are referred to as the sesamoid bones. One is located on the outside of the foot, and the other is located closer to the center of the foot. Sesamoiditis occurs when the tissue that surrounds the sesamoid bones becomes inflamed and irritated. Sesamoiditis is considered to be a form of tendonitis, and can cause severe pain and discomfort. This generally happens from overuse and repeated pressure that is placed on the forefoot. The sesamoid bones absorb impact, and are responsible for helping the big toe move up and down during activity. Some of the symptoms that are associated with sesamoiditis can include foot pain that does not diminish, and the big toe may become stiff. People with increased chances of developing sesamoiditis include dancers, runners, and women who wear high heels. Effective treatment can begin with stopping the activity that caused this condition, resting the affected foot as often as possible, and possibly taping the big toe. If you have this ailment, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you with treatment options that are right for you.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact Dr. James D. McAlexander of Gig Harbor Foot and Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

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

Some people who are afflicted with arthritis  have found it beneficial to start a walking program. In addition to improving foot care, walking is good for maintaining heart health and strong bones. Additionally, weight loss is a benefit of walking, and this may help to lessen pressure on the joints of the feet. Research has shown that walking may help to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness from certain arthritic conditions. It is important to walk frequently, gradually increasing intensity and enforcing a minimum time limit of 30 minutes. Many people choose to split their walking mileage and time between days, and this can make it easier to stick with a walking program. If you would like more information about how walking can help arthritis, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. James D. McAlexander from Gig Harbor Foot and Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Gig Harbor, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

It is important to maintain proper wound care, and this is especially true in diabetic patients. The body’s healing process may become accelerated when existing wounds are treated correctly. First, the wound needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and this is done by using clean water and mild soap. When gentle pressure is applied, the bleeding will stop. Second, after the wound is clean, it is beneficial to apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area, followed by covering it with a protective bandage. Serious wounds may require stitches and will need immediate medical attention. People who have diabetes are often careful about checking their feet daily using a mirror, and paying attention to small cuts or bruises on the feet. A podiatrist is often consulted who can treat wounds on the feet, and it is advised that you confer with this type of doctor as quickly as possible to offer you correct treatment options for foot wound care.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. James D. McAlexander from Gig Harbor Foot and Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Runners can sometimes experience pain in their ankles after running which may be caused by any number of things including overuse. Taking a day off between long runs and increasing mileage by only 10% weekly can give your ankles time to rest and adapt. Ankle instability can also be caused by overpronating, which is when the ankle rolls inward too severely. This stride abnormality often occurs in people with flat feet. You can often compensate for this condition with custom orthotics and special shoes that correct overpronation and give the arch extra support. Another possible cause for painful ankles after a run is your stride. Additionally, excessively long strides can force a runner’s ankles to over-flex repeatedly and weaken the ankle muscles. Strengthening exercises and yoga may help increase mobility in the ankle and build up muscle strength. Contact a podiatrist today if you are experiencing any ankle pain after running. They can examine, diagnose, and treat your painful condition to keep you performing at your best while helping to avoid other injuries from occurring. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. James D. McAlexander from Gig Harbor Foot and Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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