Items filtered by date: June 2022

Our feet are like workhorses in the body. We depend on them daily, but sometimes they swell up. The most common cause of swollen feet is a buildup of fluids, usually around the ankle. This is a common occurrence among pregnant women. Other causes of swollen feet are simply being on them too much, and the reverse, being too sedentary. Poor circulation, or a foot or ankle injury also can cause swelling. Being overweight can cause your feet to become swollen. Sometimes hormonal changes can cause a buildup of fluids, which may lead to swelling. Infections caused by diabetic neuropathy can also result in swollen feet, along with other problems. Cutting back on salt, resting the feet, and keeping them elevated can help reduce swelling. If it continues or becomes worse, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist for a complete examination and treatment options. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many people are born with flat feet. Some live a healthy, active lifestyle with little to no pain from this condition while others are subject to chronic foot and leg pain. With normal walking, the foot flattens slightly to absorb force and to help accommodate the surface being walked on. A flat foot allows flexibility compared to a foot that has a higher arch, it is locked and rigid and does not absorb the force or mold to the ground. However, because a flat foot is looser, it can be prone to chronic muscle strain because the muscles work harder to keep the foot in a stable position. While the body can adapt to flat feet, when there is an increase or change in intensity or duration of an activity, pain may result. A flat foot can also trigger the inward rotation of the lower leg bone (the tibia), which causes the knees to point inward. Since the upper leg bone will generally follow this movement along, the leg, hip, and lower back may become affected. It is important to know whether you were born with flat feet or if they are caused by something else. A podiatrist can help you figure this out and if you are in pain, provide suggestions and treatment on what can be done to increase your comfort.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails or onychocryptosis is a common nail disorder that can affect children. With this condition, the toenail grows into the skin surrounding the nail. Since the nail cuts the skin, the area can become inflamed or irritated, and an infection may develop. Not only can the child feel pain when pressure is applied to the toenail, but it may also be painful to walk and participate in activities. An ingrown toenail is often the result of toenails being cut improperly or shoes that compress a child’s big toe. Other causes may be abnormalities in nail formation causing the toenail to grow inward instead of outward, a sports injury, or genetics. If your child has an ingrown toenail, especially if it appears infected or there is drainage, make an appointment with a podiatrist to have their foot checked and the proper treatment administered.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have trouble flexing or lifting your foot when you walk, you may have a condition known as foot drop. Symptoms include numbness, difficulty walking, or feet and toes that slap the ground when you walk. Foot drop is caused by a pinched nerve and may result from crossing your legs while sitting or wearing a tight bandage, brace, or cast. Foot drop can increase your risk of falling and may cause changes in your gait as well. You may start to march rather than walk as a way of lifting the toes that would otherwise drag behind. Foot drop can be permanent and calls for wearing an ankle brace to hold your foot in position. If you are experiencing symptoms of foot drop, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can perform specific tests to determine the severity and prescribe appropriate treatment regimens. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.