Items filtered by date: May 2022

Basketball players of all ages, genders, and levels of ability can suffer a variety of injuries. In fact, many basketball-related injuries occur every year—in both organized and unorganized team sports. The most common sites of basketball-related injuries are the ankles and feet. The good news is that most basketball-related injuries are sprains and strains, which can be effectively treated and healed with proper care. A sprain occurs when ligament(s) surrounding a joint (like the ankle) become stretched beyond their limits, or even torn. A strain is a tear in a muscle or tendon which is either partial or complete. It is important to see a podiatrist when you have injured your foot or ankle playing basketball to receive proper treatment and avoid future problems. An improperly healed ankle sprain, for instance, can lead to chronic ankle instability and future ankle sprains.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Dr. Tupper from Coshocton Foot Health Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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

Some people are born without an arch in their foot and have flat feet. This may or may not cause problems, but if problems arise, it is usually displayed in pain – of the feet, knees, hips, and/or lower back. Strain from awkward pulling of muscles connected to the feet can throw a person’s whole body out of alignment. Without an arch in the foot, body weight is distributed unevenly. There is no cure for flat feet. Alleviating symptoms may include resting the feet, wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes, using store-bought or custom-made orthotic inserts for additional arch support, stretching exercises, medication, and cortisone injections. Seeing a podiatrist is suggested for a thorough examination of your feet and guidance as to the best treatment plan to manage flat feet.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Tupper from Coshocton Foot Health Center. 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 office located in Coshocton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The medical term for an ingrown toenail is onychocryptosis. It is a painful foot condition that occurs when the toenail grows into the skin on the side of the nail. It can happen as a result of wearing shoes that do not fit properly. Additionally, it may happen from cutting the toenails incorrectly. The proper way to trim toenails is to cut them straight across, and not rounded. Ingrown toenails typically affect the big toe, and research has shown it is a more common condition among men rather than women. Incurring a foot injury may lead to developing an ingrown toenail. This can happen if the foot is jammed against a piece of furniture, or has become damaged from a heavy object dropping on it. Common symptoms of an ingrown toenail include redness, tenderness, and pain. It may feel better when the affected toe is soaked in warm water, which can make it easier to gently pull the skin away from the nail. It is suggested that if you have an ingrown toenail you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you proper treatment methods.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Tupper of Coshocton Foot Health Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a foot infection caused by fungus. Athlete’s commonly get this infection because it thrives on warm, damp surfaces like pools, locker rooms, and public showers where athletes are and may walk barefoot, hence Its name athlete’s foot. Children rarely get athlete’s foot, but teens and anyone with sweaty or damp feet are at risk for the infection. This condition can get uncomfortable and present itself as bumps on the feet, cracked, blistered and peeling areas that are often between toes, redness, and scaling on the soles of the feet. Other possible symptoms are cheesy skin between toes that has an unpleasant odor or a rash that spreads to the inside of the foot. It is highly contagious and can be spread to other body parts or other people. To prevent this infection, keep feet as clean and dry as possible, air feet out by not wearing the same shoes all the time, wear foot coverings in public areas, and do not share towels or footwear. If you suspect you have athlete’s foot, a visit to a podiatrist to provide treatment and to prevent it from spreading is highly suggested.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Tupper from Coshocton Foot Health Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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

Heel spurs, also referred to as calcaneal spurs or osteophytes, are calcium deposits that develop on the heel bone over time. They typically form in response to chronic strain or tears to the plantar fascia tissue that connects the heel with the toes, or to damage to the heel bone membrane. Other factors that may contribute to heel spurs developing include obesity, wearing improper shoes, age, trauma, training on hard surfaces, or having plantar fasciitis (damage to the plantar fascia) or certain medical conditions. Heel spurs develop on the part of the heel that is closest to the arch, and they point towards the middle of the foot. Heel spurs can be up to a half inch long and are usually only detectable with an X-ray. Heel spurs are usually not painful. When they are, a podiatrist can treat them with rest, ice, orthotic devices and/or shoes, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, or even surgery if necessary (to remove the spurs). 

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Tupper from Coshocton Foot Health Center. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Coshocton, OH . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.