Foot and Ankle Blog - Page 7 of 8

If you are experiencing runner's knee, shin splints, or lower back pain, you may be surprised to learn that your feet might be to blame.

Warmer weather of course seems like the perfect time for people to become more active. Engaging in sports and working hard to get in shape for the summer season. In our Southern California foot and ankle clinics, we have seen a recent increase in stress and overuse injuries over the last month or so, likely attributed to this increase in read more »

Patients are prescribed medications to help treat various ailments from infections to high blood pressure to cancer. Everybody knows medications have a long list of side effects. But did you know that some of these side effects can actually affect your feet? That’s right, medications can cause foot pain and other conditions. So if you start taking a new medication read more »

You’re a grown adult. You’ve been buying your own shoes since you were a teenager. You know what fits you and what doesn’t. Right? Let us guess. The shoes you’re wearing right now? You’ve had those for a few years. More than a few. They’ve served you well, they’re comfortable, and that’s all that matters. Right…? Actually, you might want read more »

The Food and Drug Administration has recently issued a warning to patients and medical professionals concerning a class of antibiotic drugs called fluoroquinolone, commonly prescribed as Cipro or Levaquin. Fluoroquinolone comes in pills and capsules and also has an injectable form. This class of drugs also includes the less commonly prescribed Avelox and the generic forms levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. read more »

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a very common fungal skin infection of the skin that affects the web spaces between the toes and soles of the feet. Fungal infections can be contagious as they are passed from one person to the next, especially in public areas where people go barefoot. This infection is commonly spread on contaminated floors of read more »

Ankle sprains and ankle fractures can have pain, swelling, bruising and it may be difficult to walk. But how do you know if your ankle your ankle is broken?

Treating “Marathon Feet” A groggy good morning to you, Champ! It’s 4am the “morning” after your first marathon, and your feet are screaming bloody murder. You’ve been running long-distances for years and followed all your doctor’s instructions. What gives? Although you earned a good night’s sleep, if you’re suffering from a common post-marathon condition, then your feet may be keeping read more »

With the kickoff of another school year, kids hurry back to school in their shiny new clothes and shoes.  Excited to be social again after a long summer with the family, kids are quickly hit with the reality of homework and listening and studying and exams.  The bounce in their step sometimes turns into dragging feet.  Sometimes there are other read more »

How many times have you heard the statement:  “There’s nothing you can do for a broken toe”?  It’s a faulty assertion that deserves some professional clarification. A common injury that affects many of us at some time or another is a broken toe.  They seem to happen most often around the home, walking barefoot, with a stubbing injury (#badwords) against read more »

If you are suffering from Achilles tendinitis, here's a quick reference of important dos and don’ts to improve recovery and help prevent further damage.

Your foot might not be expecting a little bundle of joy any time soon, but an ultrasound can actually help diagnose your foot pain, a new study found. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common culprits of heel pain, and so it is typically the first thought that comes to mind when a patient complains of an achy heel. read more »

Women tolerate many foot and ankle discomforts during pregnancy, swollen feet is one of the most common. Consult our guide to ease your pregnancy foot pain.

Walking is pretty much universally considered the safest form of exercise, right? Well, yes, but it’s not completely without its risks. If your walking routine is interrupted by aches and pains, you should do what you can to address them early on. What seems like a minor pain could worsen and prevent you from exercising altogether. Here are some tips read more »

Jimmy Buffett, the shepherd of summer vacationers, once famously blew out his flip flop, stepped on a pop top, and cut his heel. Fortunately, a frosty margarita was all it took to nurse the eternal beach bum back to full health, but those of us at University Foot and Ankle Institute would hate for a foot injury to interrupt your read more »

Dr. Yau recounts one of his most interesting cases: a shattered heel bone (calcaneal) that was left untreated, eventually progressed to arthritis, and more.

A foot puncture wound is not like a normal cut; it is a small hole in the skin caused by a pointed object, such as a nail you have stepped on. Proper treatment within the first several hours is particularly important with puncture wounds because the piercing object may become embedded under the skin. Prompt medical attention can greatly reduce read more »

Hey tennis star, it’s us, your feet! We love hitting the tennis court with you, and it’s a relatively safe way to stay in shape, whether you’re a young whippersnapper or an old soul. Of course, no physical activity is without its risks. The constant lateral motion and quick stops and starts across the court can put a lot of read more »

Congratulations! It’s a B… bunion? Bunions are a common foot problem in the U.S., affecting a quarter to a third of adults at some point in their life. Unfortunately, this incidence sky-rockets for new moms-to-be. Read on to learn what to expect (from your feet!) when you’re expecting. How do you know if you’re suffering from bunions? Take a look read more »

Most long distance runners can agree that they are at the mercy of their feet.  You can mentally and physically prepare yourself for a marathon, but ignore your feet and you may find yourself sidelined at the next race.  While some foot-related injuries are bio-mechanical (and that’s just the way we were made), others may be the result of something read more »