Items filtered by date: April 2024

Preventing running injuries is important for runners of all levels, and incorporating preventive measures into your routine can make a significant difference. Start by investing in proper running shoes that offer adequate support, cushioning, and stability for your foot type and gait. Additionally, prioritize ankle mobility through exercises such as ankle circles, calf stretches, and heel lifts to maintain flexibility and range of motion. Strengthening exercises for the feet, toes, and ankles, such as toe scrunches, calf raises, and resistance band exercises, can help improve stability and reduce the risk of strains and sprains. Incorporating dynamic warm-up routines before running sessions and static stretches afterward can also promote muscle elasticity and prevent tightness. It is beneficial to listen to your body and avoid overtraining, gradually increasing mileage and intensity to allow for proper adaptation and recovery. If you have incurred a foot or ankle injury while running, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, and guide you on additional running prevention methods.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Royall of Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. 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 our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Caring for your feet is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being, yet it is a part of self-care that often goes overlooked. Establishing a daily foot care routine can help keep your feet healthy, comfortable, and free from common issues. Begin by washing your feet with warm water and mild soap, paying special attention to the spaces between your toes, and thoroughly drying them afterward. Moisturize your feet with a hydrating lotion or cream to prevent dryness and cracked skin, but avoid applying moisturizer between the toes, as it can create a breeding ground for bacteria. Trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails, and file any rough edges with a gentle emery board. Finally, inspect your feet regularly for any signs of redness, swelling, or injury, and address any issues promptly. By incorporating these simple steps into your daily routine, you can nurture and protect your feet. If you have encountered foot problems from improper foot care, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide you with additional everyday foot care routines.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Royall from Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. 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 Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Obesity casts a profound shadow over foot health, influencing various aspects of function and well-being. Excessive body weight places immense pressure on the feet, exacerbating biomechanical stress and strain. The increased load on weight-bearing structures, such as joints, ligaments, and tendons, can lead to structural changes, including flattening of the arches and misalignment of the foot bones. Consequently, individuals with obesity are more susceptible to foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, and stress fractures. Moreover, the excess fat tissue surrounding the feet may impede circulation and impair healing processes, predisposing to conditions like peripheral artery disease and delayed wound healing. Mobility and balance may also be compromised, increasing the risk of falls and injuries. Addressing obesity through lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and regular exercise, is essential not only for overall health but also for managing the adverse effects on foot health. If you are overweight and have developed foot pain, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can help you with relief and management tips.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. Royall from Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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

Morton's neuroma, a painful condition characterized by thickening of the tissue around a nerve leading to the toes, can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. When conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, surgical intervention becomes a viable option. The surgical approach aims to decompress the affected nerve and remove the enlarged tissue causing compression and discomfort. Typically performed under local anesthesia, surgical techniques vary depending on the severity of the neuroma and individual patient factors. Common procedures include neurectomy, wherein the affected nerve segment is excised, or decompression, which involves releasing pressure on the nerve through various means. Minimally invasive techniques, such as endoscopic decompression, offer reduced recovery times and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery. While surgery for Morton's neuroma carries risks like any other procedure, it can offer significant relief from persistent pain and allow individuals to regain mobility and resume daily activities with greater comfort and ease. If you have Morton’s neuroma and are considering surgery for relief, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine if this is the right choice for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Royall of Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Cracked heels, though seemingly mild, can herald underlying issues deserving attention. These fissures, typically occurring due to dryness and thickened skin, often stem from factors like inadequate moisturization, prolonged standing, or wearing ill-fitting footwear. While seemingly cosmetic, they can evolve into painful lesions if left unaddressed. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or thyroid disorders predispose individuals to cracked heels, underscoring the importance of holistic health management. Lifestyle choices like taking excessive hot showers or using harsh soaps cause dryness, exacerbating the condition. Understanding the intricate mechanisms at play is important in devising effective interventions. Moisturizing agents containing urea or lactic acid help replenish lost moisture, fostering skin repair. Additionally, regular exfoliation and proper foot hygiene may stop the risk of recurrence. In essence, cracked heels serve as more than just a superficial nuisance and can offer insights into broader health dynamics. If you have developed cracked heels, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can provide you with effective treatment techniques, which may include prescribed medication.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Royall from Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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