Items filtered by date: July 2022

A bump on the bottom of the foot may be indicative of a foot condition known as plantar fibromatosis. This ailment develops on the plantar fascia which is the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Its function is to connect the heel to the toes, in addition to supporting the arch. A plantar fibroma can form when nodules grow in the plantar fascia, and can cause pain and discomfort. Research has shown there is no cure for this condition, and existing patients often look to manage the pain. This can be done by performing specific foot stretches that can help to strengthen the foot. A calf stretch is effective in relieving pain from the plantar fascia, and this is done by standing on a step, and lowering the heel until a gentle stretch is felt. Patients may find that performing a marble pick up is helpful in strengthening the arch. This is a simple stretch, and may take some practice to perfect it. This is done by placing several marbles on the floor next to a towel, and picking one marble up at a time with your foot. If you would like more information about how to relieve pain from a plantar fibroma, please consult with a podiatrist. 

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Chuc Dang, DPM of California . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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

If you are among the elderly, you are at an increased risk of falling. Improving your balance and becoming more aware of your body and how it is moving through exercise can help you prevent falls. If your podiatrist approves, you can try simple balance exercises at home such as the single leg stance with variations. These exercises all have a resting position where you stand with your legs slightly apart while supporting yourself behind a chair or table. First, lift one leg up to the side about 6 inches and hold for 10 seconds. Do 5-10 reps on each leg. Now, go back to the resting position, but this time bend your right knee and lift your leg about 6 inches off of the floor and hold for 10 seconds before switching to the other leg. Once again, return to the resting position keeping your knee straight. Lift one leg behind you and hold for 10 seconds, and repeat on the other leg. These single-leg stance exercises can be done up to three times daily and once you feel ready with your podiatrist's approval, you can try them with your eyes closed to improve your balance even more. Consult with your podiatrist for more balance exercises and to receive a fall risk assessment. 

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Chuc Dang, DPM from California . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

The overall body may feel better when everyday foot care is practiced. The feet carry the weight of the body, and are often neglected by many people. There are several foot conditions that may be avoided with proper foot care. These include cracked heels, bacterial or fungus infections, and corns. It is aesthetically pleasing to have healthy toes and feet while wearing flip flops during the summer months, and this may be done by practicing good foot care for the rest of the year. Washing and drying the feet thoroughly is the first thing to do, followed by applying a good moisturizer. This is helpful in keeping the skin smooth, and it is beneficial to do as the aging process occurs. Many people feel pampered when their feet are soaked in warm water several times a month, and it helps to drink plenty of fresh water daily. The feet will feel good when the right size shoes are worn and are comfortable from the moment they are put on. If you would like more tips on how to have your feet feel and look good, it is suggested to talk to a podiatrist about how to do so. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Chuc Dang, DPM from California . 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 Westminster, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Nearly half of adults in the United States have some type of foot pain. This is to be expected, as we are on our feet so much of the time in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes it’s as simple as wearing different shoes, or wearing the proper shoe for the activity you are doing. However, when pain is not only frequent, but also persistent, it’s a good idea to see a podiatrist for help. The main causes of reported foot pain are tarsal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, bunions, and corns and calluses. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve that starts in the big toe. The pain then moves through the foot to the ankle and can advance into the lower leg. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints, many of which are in the foot and ankle. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury affecting a band of tissue on the sole of the foot, resulting in heel pain. An ingrown toenail occurs then the toenail grows into the skin, often the result of tight shoes or improper footcare. Bunions are a bone deformity, usually at the base of the big toe, that affects the gait and can cause other foot problems. Corns and calluses are areas of hardened skin that can become extremely painful as they rub against the inside of a shoe. A podiatrist is able to help with each of these conditions, examining your feet and offering appropriate treatment options. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Chuc Dang, DPM from California . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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