December 2018

The importance of tending to your feet daily is just as important as properly caring for your facial skin and hair. One of the first things in maintaining good foot care is to properly wash and dry your feet every day, followed by utilizing a superb moisturizer. This may aid in preventing uncomfortable bacterial and fungal infections, in addition to possibly avoiding cracked heels from developing. When the toenails are trimmed correctly, ailments such as ingrown toenails may be prevented from forming. Additionally, wearing socks may protect the feet from everyday dust and dirt, and wearing comfortable shoes may aid in the avoidance of bunions, hammertoe, and possible damage, which may be inflicted on the ligaments and tendons. If you would like additional information about how to properly care for your feet, please consult with a podiatrist who is able to provide the correct knowledge.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Anna Petrov from Family Foot & Ankle Care. 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 one of our offices located in Wheeling and Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Research has shown the injuries that many runners experience can originate from training incorrectly or from following training techniques that are not conducive for properly warming up the muscles. The feet may endure added stress when running is performed for extended periods of time, and it is essential to practice an optimum stretching routine before embarking on this specific sport or hobby. There may be several factors that can determine the occurrence of running injuries, including the number of miles that are run per week, if a previous injury has happened, or if you are new to the sport of running. Injuries may be avoided by increasing the mileage and speed gradually, warming up the muscles correctly, and decreasing the intensity of the run a few days per week. If you would like additional information about how to prevent uncomfortable running injuries, please consult with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Anna Petrov of Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Wheeling and Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The medical condition that is referred to as flat feet is a result of the absence of the arch that feet generally have. This ailment is also known as fallen arches and is noticeable when the feet lie flat without a gap between the foot and the floor. Research has shown that genetics may play a significant role in the development of flat feet. Additionally, other causes may include arthritis or a ruptured tendon as a result of a possible injury. Patients who have this condition may observe pain or stiffness that may be present in the inner side of the ankle or where the arch would generally be. There may be effective treatment methods for this ailment, including wearing shoes that offer adequate support, in addition to possibly wearing orthotics. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort as a result of having flat feet, please speak to a podiatrist who can properly address any concerns you may have.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Anna Petrov from Family Foot & Ankle Care. 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 one of our offices located in Wheeling and Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Patients who are afflicted with peripheral neuropathy are typically familiar with a tingling sensation or numbness in their feet that generally accompanies this uncomfortable condition. Additional symptoms may include difficulty in walking, feeling a stabbing pain that may be in the feet, or experiencing muscle weakness. Research has shown the peripheral nerves are categorized into three areas. One group is known as the motor nerves and will affect performing activities that may include walking or picking up an object. Additionally, sensory nerves affect the ability to differentiate between hot and cold, or objects that are smooth or rough. Finally, autonomic nerves control specific functions of the body, which may include digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure. If you are experiencing symptoms in the feet that may indicate neuropathy, it is suggested to consult with a podiatrist, so a proper diagnosis can be performed.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Anna Petrov from Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Wheeling and Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.