Items filtered by date: October 2022

Midfoot arthritis affects the foot and is caused when the cartilage in the foot begins to wear down. Without the cushioning of cartilage, the midfoot joint bones start to rub together when one moves which can cause pain. Usually, midfoot arthritis develops slowly and worsens over time. The primary symptom of this type of arthritis is pain felt in the middle of the foot. The pain can worsen upon arising or after standing or walking for a prolonged time. One can also experience difficulty walking or a visible bump on the top of the foot that appears bony. In most cases, midfoot arthritis can be treated non-surgically. Lifestyle changes including activity modification, doing exercises to strengthen the surrounding joints and muscles, losing weight, taking pain medication, wearing proper footwear, and using walking aids can help. If the pain persists, surgery might be needed. If you feel pain in your midfoot, see a podiatrist who will be able to diagnose the cause and provide appropriate treatment options.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Jim Maxka from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. 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 Hanover, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Midfoot arthritis affects the foot and is caused when the cartilage in the foot begins to wear down. Without the cushioning of cartilage, the midfoot joint bones start to rub together when one moves which can cause pain. Usually, midfoot arthritis develops slowly and worsens over time. The primary symptom of this type of arthritis is pain felt in the middle of the foot. The pain can worsen upon arising or after standing or walking for a prolonged time. One can also experience difficulty walking or a visible bump on the top of the foot that appears bony. In most cases, midfoot arthritis can be treated non-surgically. Lifestyle changes including activity modification, doing exercises to strengthen the surrounding joints and muscles, losing weight, taking pain medication, wearing proper footwear, and using walking aids can help. If the pain persists, surgery might be needed. If you feel pain in your midfoot, see a podiatrist who will be able to diagnose the cause and provide appropriate treatment options.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jim Maxka, DPM from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. 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 Hanover, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

The feet can feel tired and achy while standing for the majority of the work day. Practicing good foot care may help to reduce aches and pains, and this can be accomplished by wearing shoes that fit properly. Wearing compression socks may be beneficial in providing comfort to the feet and ankles. Research has shown that specific work shoes can provide good arch support, which may help reduce weakness in the feet and ankles. It is beneficial to buy appropriate work shoes at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest. Many people feel better when they can stretch or walk for short periods during the day, and this can help to improve circulation. If the profession allows it, elevating the feet can help to reduce pressure on the ankles, and it often feels good when the foot is rolled on a tennis ball. It is important to stand on a stress mat as this is generally effective in diminishing existing foot pain. If you would like additional information about how to care for your feet while working, please consult with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Jim Maxka from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

The feet can feel tired and achy while standing for the majority of the work day. Practicing good foot care may help to reduce aches and pains, and this can be accomplished by wearing shoes that fit properly. Wearing compression socks may be beneficial in providing comfort to the feet and ankles. Research has shown that specific work shoes can provide good arch support, which may help reduce weakness in the feet and ankles. It is beneficial to buy appropriate work shoes at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest. Many people feel better when they can stretch or walk for short periods during the day, and this can help to improve circulation. If the profession allows it, elevating the feet can help to reduce pressure on the ankles, and it often feels good when the foot is rolled on a tennis ball. It is important to stand on a stress mat as this is generally effective in diminishing existing foot pain. If you would like additional information about how to care for your feet while working, please consult with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Jim Maxka, DPM from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Plantar warts can cause severe pain. This may be because of where they are located, on the bottom of the foot. The pain may happen as a result of the wart growing inward from the weight that is put on the foot during everyday activities. The medical name for a plantar wart is referred to as verruca and comes from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is contagious and it is suggested to wear appropriate shoes while in the areas this virus is found. These can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. This type of wart can resemble a callus and appear to be a small, hardened area of skin. There may be tiny black dots in the center of the wart, which is dried blood that is found inside the capillaries. There are several treatment options available so if you have a plantar wart, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can determine which one is best for you. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Jim Maxka, DPM from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Many people throughout the world take their feet for granted. The feet are complex structures and carry the weight of the body. Foot pain can happen when the feet are neglected, and this can make completing daily activities difficult to accomplish. When the feet feel good, a patient's overall attitude may be improved. There are simple methods that can be implemented that the feet can benefit from. These consist of washing the drying the feet daily, followed by using a good moisturizer, which may be helpful in preventing cracked heels. It is imperative that shoes are comfortable and fit correctly, which may be beneficial in helping to avoid unwanted foot conditions. It is suggested that high heels be worn infrequently, and the toenails are trimmed properly. Many people check the bottoms of their feet for existing cuts, bruises, or scrapes, and this is especially important for diabetic patients to do. If you would like more information about the importance of practicing everyday foot care, please confer with a podiatrist who can offer effective tips to maintain the health of the feet.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jim Maxka, DPM from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. 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 office located in Hanover, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.