At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, one common complaint we hear is pain at the ball of the foot.  Today, we are going to discuss some of the more common reasons for this type of pain.

Sometimes the pain is due to lack of fat pad and the bones are just tired and sore.  With every step you take, the ball of the foot takes on your body weight to help roll you forward.  When we loose this fat pad, nature’s protection of this area is gone.

Another reason for this type of pain can come from your foot structure.  Your foot has 5 metatarsal bones.  These bones connect the middle of the foot to the toes.  The heads of these metatarsal bones are technically the ball of the foot.  Sometimes because of genetics or previous injuries, these bones point downward more than they should.  This then causes extra pressure in this area and causes pain.  This can also cause a very painful callus to the ball of the foot called an intractable plantar keratosis which is like a seed corn causing pinpoint pain.  Some people will also have a painful callus to the area but is caused by a wart and not pressure. 

In between those metatarsal bones are nerves that eventually reach the toes and give them sensation.  Sometimes that nerve can be pinched at the ball of the foot and cause fullness, soreness, tingling and numbness.

There are also soft tissue structures surrounding the ball of the foot that connect the toe bone to the metatarsal bone.  These structures can become inflamed from either an injury or overuse and cause pain at the ball of the foot.

Speaking of overuse, some people can develop stress fractures or bone cysts due to repetitive trauma at the metatarsal heads.

As you can see, there are many causes of pain at the ball of the foot.  Your diagnosis will be made after a thorough history, physical exam and medical images if needed.  Once your diagnosis is made, treatment will begin that will be tailored to your condition and lifestyle. 

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, our providers have treated thousands of patients with ball of the foot pain and we can help you as well.  If you are experiencing this or any other type of foot/ankle condition, please call us at 972-542-2155

If you're a runner, it goes without saying that your feet take the brunt of the punishment. In fact, for runners the feet are more vulnerable to injury than any other part of the body. Luckily, both long-distance runners and casual joggers can improve their performance by paying extra attention to their feet and taking steps to prevent common foot problems. Poor fitting footwear is often the source of many foot problems caused by running. A visit to our practice can help you determine the best shoes for your foot structure. and treatment and prevention of Blisters.

A Runner's Roadblock:While many running-related foot injuries can result from a fall or twisted ankle, most running injuries are caused by overuse, meaning the majority of runners experience foot and ankle pain because they do too much for too long. Runners should be aware of the signs of foot problems that can slow them down if not treated promptly. Common foot and ankle injuries experienced by runners include:

Blisters: Blisters are typically caused by excess friction+sheer. Certain socks can add to blister formation, ill fitting shoes and biomecanics can also contribute. Treatment and prevention can include: topical treatments like moleskin and emollients, change in socks or sneakers and inserts with accomodative or offloading pads. 

Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis and other calf-related injuries are prevalent in runners. Poor training, overuse and improper footwear are the three most common reasons for this condition. A sudden increase in distance or pace can strain the muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle, causing small tears within these structures that result in pain and inflammation. Appropriate shoes and training are the most important steps to preventing Achilles tendonitis. Conservative treatment includes rest, ice, stretching and sometimes orthotics or physical therapy.

Heel Pain: Runners develop heel pain more than any other foot-related injury. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, the result of placing excessive stress on the ligament in the bottom of the foot. Rest, stretching and support are the best ways to ease the pain and inflammation. Reduce your mileage and avoid hill and speed workouts. Stretch before and after you run, and ice your heel after each workout. Special splints and shoe inserts from our practice may also provide support and relief for your heel pain.

Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are small cracks in the surface of a bone. Runners generally notice gradual muscle soreness, stiffness and pain on the affected bone, most often in the lower leg or the foot. Early diagnosis is critical, as a small fracture can spread and eventually become a complete fracture of the bone. Stress fractures are typically caused by increasing training more quickly than the body's ability to build up and strengthen the bone.

If you have symptoms of a stress fracture, you should stop running immediately and see a podiatrist. This injury can keep a runner off the track for several weeks, and is not an injury that you can run through. Depending on the severity of the stress fracture, a cast may be necessary.

If you experience chronic foot pain from running, make an appointment with a podiatrist. Leaving foot injuries untreated could result in more serious conditions, ultimately keeping you from your best performance. Keep in mind that these are not the only foot ailments caused by running, and when at-home foot care isn't effective, you'll need to be evaluated by a podiatrist. As in most cases, prevention is the best medicine. Good footwear, proper training and recognizing a problem before it becomes serious are your keys to staying on the road and avoiding foot injuries.

Sincerely,

Advanced Foot & Ankle

972.542.2155

There are several possible causes for having calluses, or hard lumps of skin on the bottom of your feet. One cause may be a plantar wart. It is rare for a child to have a callus, typically the bump on the foot is caused by something in the skin or a plantars wart.  This is a virus that lives in your skin and disrupts the superficial tissue layer of the bottom of the foot.  This can be painful and they may devlop dark spots in the callus.  Another cause is an Intractible porokeratoma or seed corn; some feel that this starts as a clogged sweat gland.  It typically has a  small nucleated pit in the callus that can be very painful or completely painless.   To be sure of the cause of the callus, it needs to be debrided (painlessly trimming the top layers off) to reveal the tissue underneath.  Once the cause of the callus is determined, treatment will then begin.  Some people can have calluses at the ball of the foot because they no longer have adequate fat padding to cushion the area. This can be treated with padding and inserts and various offloading pads.  Treatment for calluses in diabetics is very important because you may have a wound developing underneath that you cannot see.  If you suffer from calluses or any other foot and/or ankle condition, please call us to set up a consultation.

Sincerly, 

Advanced Foot and Ankle

972.542.2155

1.     You don’t have to suffer from foot pain.  Don’t ignore your feet.  If you are experiencing pain contact Advanced Foot and Ankle Center in McKinney and Prosper to be seen for an evaluation.

2.     Pay attention to changes in color or temperature on your feet.  Look for thick or discolored nails as this may be a sign of toenail fungus.  Check for cracks or cuts in your feet as they can be a pathway for bacteria and infection.  Peeling skin on the bottom of your feet may indicate Athletes Foot.   New moles or freckles that appear abnormal in their shape or color may be a sign of skin cancer.  Inspect your feet regularly and be aware of any changes.

3.     Wash your feet daily with soap and water.  Be sure to clean well between your toes.  It is not simply enough to stand in the shower and let the dirty water and soap rinse off of them.

4.     Try to trim your toenails strait across and be sure not to cut the nails into the corners as it can lead to an ingrown toenail.

5.     Make sure you are wearing a proper fitting shoe.  It is best to be fitted by a professional to ensure proper width and length.  A good trick if you are unable to be professionally fitted is to have someone trace your footprint on a piece of paper while you are standing.  Then any shoe that you have or are purchasing you can simply pull the foot bed insert out of the shoe and be sure it is proper length and width.  Do your shoe shopping later in the day when your feet are most swollen from activities throughout the day.

6.     Select and wear an appropriate shoe for the activity you are participating in.  For example running shoes when running, court shoes when playing tennis, hiking boots when walking hiking trails and uneven terrain.

7.     Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.  Remove the insert and let the shoe fully dry from your daily perspiration before wearing again.  This can decrease the chances of catching a fungal infection on the skin or nails of your feet as fungus likes warm, dark, moist environments.

8.     Avoid walking barefooted as it will increase the change of injury to the feet.

9.     When you wear sandals or are barefoot at the pool don’t forget to apply sunscreen frequently.  Your feet are susceptible to skin cancer and UV radiation just as much as the rest of your body.

10.   If you are diabetic schedule a foot checkup at least once a year to evaluate your blood flow as well as any sensory deficits you might be unaware of.

Contact Advanced Foot and Ankle Center at 972-542-2155 to discuss any foot or ankle care needs.

Sincerly, 

Advanced Foot and Ankle

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, we see a lot of patients everyday for heel pain.  Sometimes the pain is on the bottom, the sides, or the back of the heel.  When the pain is on the back of the heel it is usually due to Achilles tendinitis.   

This pain is usually without any specific injury or trauma and it slowly gets worse.   The pain can be worse after rest or after extended periods of walking.  To reach this diagnosis, our providers will obtain a detailed history and provide a physical exam to both your feet and ankles.  We will usually acquire an X-ray of the heel to help confirm our diagnosis and rule out other possible issues.  One thing that we look for on the X-ray is a spur that could be forming on the back of the heel.  This occurs because your calf muscle is too tight and is acting like a rope and pulling the back of the heel bone with every step and not stretching like a rubber band like it should.  After we diagnose you with Achilles tendinitis treatment begins right away.   The treatment we provide will be tailored to your pain level, chronicity of the condition and your activities. 

At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center our providers see heel pain everyday and have helped thousands of patients with their condition.  If you have a question about this or any other foot/ankle issue, please call us at 972-542-2155.