October 2021

Although plantar fasciitis is the most common culprit behind heel pain, a burning pain in your heels may indicate nerve damage. There are several conditions that can make the heels feel like they are on fire. Diabetic neuropathy, which is associated with high blood sugar levels, can cause burning pain, as well as sharp or shooting pain, hypersensitivity to touch, and even balance problems. Physical traumas or injuries to the heels can also cause burning pain. Look at your heels for overt signs of injury, such as swelling or bruising. Less common reasons why your heels might be burning include autoimmune diseases, infections, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. If you are suffering from burning heel pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Frank Henry, DPM of Marble Falls, TX. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Marble Falls, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you are in pain after spraining your ankle and notice swelling on the outside of it, or if you heard a popping sound the instant the injury occurred, you may have a torn ankle ligament. There are four major ligaments that hold the ankle together. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) on the outside of the ankle is the weakest and therefore typically the first to become injured. It can become overly stretched in a sprain, partially torn, or even completely torn (ruptured). Small tears of the ATFL will cause pain, tenderness, and swelling, but walking is usually still possible. Larger ATFL tears will cause greater pain, swelling and bruising, and you may have difficulty walking. A complete tear of the ATFL can cause severe pain, larger areas of swelling, and you may not be able to walk at all. You may have been able to hear an audible popping sound at the moment of trauma as well. This type of injury may cause damage to the calcaneal fibular ligament (CFL) on the outside of the ankle as well. Ankle sprains can be serious injuries and many require professional care to heal properly and stave off further complications. If you believe you have sprained your ankle, make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Frank Henry, DPM from Marble Falls, TX. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

When the midsection of the 5th metatarsal bone on the foot (or the little toe) is fractured, a Jones fracture occurs. This type of injury is very common in basketball and the surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on NBA players. Jones fractures often take place as a result of repeated stress over a long period of time. When left untreated, pain and swelling will resume. Due to the limited supply of blood flow to the pinky toe, Jones fractures often take quite some time to heal, making the possibility of another injury to the same area very high. Because of this, many athletes who are afflicted with a Jones fracture choose to have surgery performed. Patients who are dealing with an injury to their feet should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Frank Henry, DPM of Marble Falls, TX. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

Podiatrists are physicians and surgeons who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Becoming a podiatrist requires extensive education. Aspiring podiatrists first get a bachelor’s degree which is usually focused on biology, chemistry, and anatomy, along with the necessary prerequisites for attending an accredited medical school, where they will graduate with a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). This is followed by a medical and surgical residency at an approved health care facility. Some podiatrists continue their education with a post-graduate fellowship. To become a licensed podiatrist in the United States, the doctor must pass the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination. Additionally, podiatrists may opt to become board certified with certain organizations, including the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). Podiatrists usually engage in continuing medical education to maintain their license to practice and to stay abreast of industry trends. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Frank Henry, DPM from Marble Falls, TX. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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