Items filtered by date: December 2022

Typically, certain individuals might have to take extra care in maintaining the health of their feet because they might be particularly susceptible to enduring afflictions of the feet. For example, individuals who suffer from diabetes are at an increased risk of developing conditions that negatively impact the feet. Additionally, senior citizens ought to be very diligent about protecting the health of their feet. There are a number of reasons for this. Notably, as an individual ages, the muscles in the feet might decrease in strength and vitality. As a result, the senior might have difficulty engaging in weight bearing activities. They might also experience a balance problems. This can make suffering falls or tumbles more likely. If you are a senior citizen that is experiencing foot problems, it is recommended that you reach out to a podiatrist. This foot specialist will be able to tailor their advice to you and help you address any foot problems you might have.  

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Most running injuries are caused by overuse, overtraining, improper footwear, and problems with biomechanics. Overtraining can be described as adding speed or distance too quickly, which can lead to overuse injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis. Experts recommend adding no more than 10 percent a week to the schedule. Another source of running injuries is wearing running shoes that either do not fit properly or have worn out. The wrong type of shoe for your foot can affect the gait, which can lead to injury. Also, shoes that are worn down or lack proper cushioning can cause pain in the feet, such as plantar fasciitis. Replacing shoes every 350-500 miles is recommended, and alternating pairs is thought to be beneficial. The way you run can also put you at risk. Striking with the heel first can cause shin splints and joint pain. Awareness of foot placement and body alignment are also important factors to be considered. Even the way you tilt your head can affect your muscles and breathing. For more information on avoiding running injuries, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist for guidance.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

It is well-known by experts that an ankle sprain that is not given ample time to heal is likely to be reinjured. And in some cases, this can develop into chronic ankle weakness. Because the ankle bears the weight of the body and absorbs the force when you run, it becomes harder for it to heal. Most runners, and probably most athletes, want to hurry the process along. This is not wise, because a sprained ankle that is not fully healed may end up having an effect on other parts of the body due to overcompensation. Statistics show that reinjury rates for ankle sprains are between 40 and 70 percent, causing ankle instability problems for many months or even years. Rather than shaking off, or worse, ignoring the ankle problems, experts recommend that runners take as long as needed to fully recover healthy ankle function. Exercises to improve balance and strengthen the feet are suggested, along with bracing or taping the ankles. Please consult a podiatrist if you have any questions about ankle sprain recovery. 

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel spurs are a bony protrusion in the feet. These protrusions can be hook-shaped and usually attach to the heel bone. The specific symptoms associated with bone spurs might vary from patient to patient, however there are certain symptoms that are usually common. For example, many individuals that suffer from bone spurs experience some kind of heel pain. This is usually the case because having heel spurs can stretch and inflame the plantar fascia. Additionally, many people with bone spurs might also experience a burning sensation of some kind. If you are curious to learn more about the symptoms of bone spurs, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

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 one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.