Foot and Ankle Blog - Page 5 of 10

Practical tips on maintaining healthy feet this summer, and what to do to heal your heels if they become dry and cracked.

Drop foot (aka foot drop), can be a scary occurrence. Both terms describe an inability to lift the front of your foot while walking. The results of drop foot include scuffing the forefoot along the ground, and tripping over simple obstacles, like the edge of a rug. In order to compensate for foot dragging, people with drop foot tend to read more »

The ankle is an amazing example of anatomical ingenuity, until it starts hurting. Inside ankle pain indicates several possible problems. Here are a few examples.

MinVasive bunionectomy is our exclusive minimally invasive bunion surgery that results in a very small incision line, less pain, rapid recovery, and better realignment and stabilization.

Can surgically implanted metal Screws and pins become a thing of the past? Yes, thanks to a new invention that is being used at UFAI today.

Here's some information about the condition that’s likely responsible for your heel pain in the morning, and what you can do to get some heel pain relief!

If you want to locate the ball of your foot, lift up your heel while you’re barefoot. The part of the foot that’s in most direct contact with the ground is the ball of your foot. When your heel is elevated, the ball of your foot bears all your weight. If any of your regular activities include running, jumping, dancing, read more »

Healthy foot arches keep us light on our feet and prevent us from being caught flat-footed. It’s the arch of your foot that puts the spring in your step! When the arches of our feet are over-stressed and under-supported, that’s when you really notice them, and not in a good way!  You are now may be feeling the pain of  read more »

One aspect of Cinderella’s story has been significantly under-reported over the last few centuries is the Evil Stepmother loved cosmetic foot surgery. It all started the night of the Royal Ball when she saw Cinderella stumble through the front door, clutching a solitary glass slipper, leaving the other behind with the Prince. When the Evil Stepmother learned that the Prince read more »

What is chronic plantar fasciitis and how is it treated? The plantar fascia is the amazingly strong thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. It supports the arch and helps keep your foot from curling into a ball. Chronic plantar fasciitis is defined as plantar fascia pain experienced for at least 3-6 months without resolution. read more »

Catching diabetic foot complications early will allow for proper intervention and prevention of ulcerations, infections, and limb loss. That is why routine exams with a foot and ankle specialist are so critical. At the first sign of diabetic foot pain, ulcers or other diabetic foot issues, get it checked out and do not wait for your next checkup. Otherwise, our read more »

The Cartiva implant was considered to be a revolution in great toe arthritis therapy. It came out with a splash and the original studies to get the implant through FDA approval showed incredible results. Our group, University Foot and Ankle Institute, and me in particular, were involved with helping launch the product and educating surgeons on how to use the read more »

The human foot is a marvel of anatomical architecture with 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 120 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Here's how to keep them strong.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic ailments in the United States. The number of patients known to have the problem is estimated to be between six and seven million. Many patients attempt to treat the problem at home prior to seeking treatment from a doctor which is fine unless the problem has been present for an extended read more »

Okay, so the holidays are over, or sadly your trip to Italy (yum, Italy!). And the scale tells you that you’ve put way more effort into eating than exercising. What to do? Certainly, many of us try to lose the extra pounds by exercising more or perhaps by trying out new workout regimens. And that is when we learn that read more »

Like most parts of a newborn’s body, your infant’s feet are undeveloped at her time of birth. As she grows and learns to walk, the soft, pliable tissue that structures her feet will solidify into bony tissue in a process known as ossification. Her feet will continue to grow and develop well into her late teens. You can help your read more »

“Fit to be tied” means being so angry or agitated as to need restraint, but with a little semantic license, it could also describe a pair of shoes that fit so well they’re ready to lace up and wear out the door. The point is, proper shoe fit is more important than most people realize. If you don’t spend the read more »

We’re all aware that being obese, or even just overweight, elevates the risk of incurring all sorts of negative conditions. The effects of obesity on the body include hypertension leading to heart conditions and other cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea, hernias, and respiratory problems. About 34% of the adult US population is obese, while 68% is overweight. It’s read more »

What’s Charcot Foot? Charcot foot (also known as “Neuropathic Arthopathy“) is when your foot starts to “soften.” This happens because of progressive degeneration of the weight-bearing joints of the foot. This is the bones in the foot weakening. It occurs in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy), most often those who are diabetic. It has been reported in 29% read more »

What’s an Os Trigonum? An os trigonum is a non-utilitarian piece of bone that usually rests peacefully at the back of some peoples’ feet. Ordinarily, an os trigonum is a harmless anomaly. However, if you punt a football, kick a soccer ball, swim using a butterfly kick, or go en pointe as a ballet dancer, that little hunk of bone read more »