We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

MLS laser therapy can certainly help with different types of back pain. This particular laser has a number of positive effects, all of which could potentially relieve discomfort in your back. These effects include decreased inflammation and pain blocking. The laser stimulates the circulatory system, including the lymph system, which helps drain excess fluids in your tissues and improve blood flow to your back—decreasing inflammation and pain related to swelling. It also helps block some pain signals from your nerves, alleviating discomfort as your tissues heal. The laser has been shown to stimulate tissue regeneration and wound healing as well.

In any case, it will take several appointments and laser treatments to fully eliminate your discomfort. Our physical therapists at Castle Pines Physical Therapy and Cherry Creek Physical Therapy can help determine if a treatment method like MLS laser therapy is a good option for your back pain. Contact us online or call (303) 805-5156 to reach our offices in Denver and Castle Pines, Colorado today. Don’t continue to suffer with back pain when relief could just be a laser away!

Orthotics can certainly be used to help relieve heel pain. The specific kind of orthotic inserts you use will depend on your unique foot needs and the underlying cause of your discomfort. Often heel pain is the result of overuse or too much repetitive pressure on your heel. Inserts that cushion and support the back of your foot to reduce pressure there may be helpful. Sometimes you actually need additional support or stabilization in other area, like your arch. Custom orthotics can help control abnormal motion and maintain proper biomechanics, which may reduce the stress on your heels.

The foot doctors at Podiatry Associates, P.C. will help you determine the underlying cause of your discomfort and if you would benefit from orthotics for heel pain. Just make an appointment at one of our offices in Castle Pines, Denver, or Parker, CO. You can reach us online through our website request forms, or by calling (303) 805-5156 today. Don't spend more time with heel pain when getting relief could be as simple as using custom orthotics.

Step on a nail and your scream will let the whole world know. And the whole world will tell you to get that looked at immediately. Puncture wounds to your feet need prompt care to avoid complications. If the object you stepped on is small, like a needle or a splinter, carefully remove it and apply gentle pressure to your foot to stop any bleeding. If debris is left in the wound, you may need professional help to remove all the pieces. Use soap and water to clean the puncture and minimize your infection risk. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic and a clean bandage to protect the hole. You may need to pad the area around the wound to protect it from pressure, too.

Make sure you change the bandage regularly and check the wound for signs of infection. If you see anything suspicious, get it checked right away. You should also get immediate care if you notice rust on whatever you stepped on. Puncture wounds can easily result in tetanus, and that doesn’t depend on how small they are. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. is here to help you with any type of wound healing. Make an appointment at our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO offices by calling (303) 805-5156 or using our online forms.

Muscles cramp for multiple reasons. The most common causes are fatigue and overuse, dehydration, holding one position for too long, and poor circulation. The more tired and overworked your muscles are, the more likely they will seize up when you continue to use them. Without sufficient water in your body, your muscles are prone to cramping as well. Holding one position for too long stresses your muscle tissues in several ways, which can make a cramp more likely. Poor circulation means your lower limbs aren’t able to get the oxygen and nutrients they need, and so leads to painful problems.

Sometimes serious health conditions can make you prone to muscle cramping as well. Kidney disease, thyroid disorders, nerve problems, and even diabetes can contribute to muscle cramps, particularly in your lower limbs. Sometimes the pain is a side effect of medications or vitamin deficiencies, too. If you’re struggling with frequent foot cramps, let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you discover the underlying cause. Make an appointment at our Castle Pines, Parker, or Cherry Creek, CO, offices online. You can also call (303) 805-5156 to reach us.

Preparing your child for foot surgery is important—when your child knows what to expect, he or she is more likely to remain calm, making the procedure and the recovery easier. Talk with your child and his or her doctor about why the surgery is necessary and just what it will do for his or her feet. There will be plenty of pre-operative tests and a discussion with an anesthesiologist about the anesthesia your child will need and the pain relief afterward, as well. Through all of this, answer your child’s questions in an age-appropriate way while remaining calm, so your child feels reassured.

On the day of the surgery, have your child wear loose-fitting pants or shorts that won’t get in the way of the protective boot he or she may need to wear afterward. Stay relaxed and help your child remain comfortable through the check-in and procedure prep, especially with any needles involved. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. will take good care of your child and do our very best to make sure he or she is comfortable through the whole experience. For more information, contact us online or by calling (303) 805-5156 to reach our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO, offices.

Blisters on your feet are best kept intact and covered as much as possible while they heal. When you discover a blister, don’t “pop” it—simply clean it with soap and water. If it has already ruptured, try to leave the torn skin in place. After that, cover the spot with a bandage to protect it from friction. Making a donut bandage can alleviate the pressure on the sore, too: to do so, cut a hole the size of your blister in a moleskin bandage, then place that over the little wound. The thick moleskin protects your blister from pressure and friction without pressing against the sensitive bubble.

Also, change your footwear so that you use moisture-wicking socks and shoes that do not squeeze or rub against the sensitive spot. If the blister is particularly large, or you have a preexisting condition like diabetes that affects your immune system, you may need to have it lanced and treated. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO, can help you. Make an appointment online, or by calling one of our offices at (303) 805-5156, to take care of your blisters today!

To prevent blisters from forming, you need to eliminate the damaging friction between your skin and your footwear. Wear fitted, moisture-wicking socks, particularly when you are active. Sometimes layering thin and slightly thicker socks can help reduce friction even further if a simple sock change is not enough. Always wear shoes that fit correctly for your foot shape, length, and width so your feet don’t get squeezed. Choose a style that is appropriate for your activities, too—don’t wear fancy fashion boots to go hiking, or sandals to go running, for example.

When you get new shoes, particularly work boots or other types of active wear, take a little time to break them in before subjecting them to heavy use and hours of wear. That way they have time to mold to your feet without giving you blisters. If you know certain areas of your lower limbs are prone to blistering, protect them with athletic tape or moleskin pads. If you suffer frequent blisters, let Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you take care of your lower limbs. You can contact our offices online, or call (303) 805-5156 to reach our locations in Cherry Creek, Parker, and Castle Pines, CO.

When you can walk after bunion surgery depends on many different factors, including how serious your bunion was and the specific procedure done to correct it. Immediately after the surgery, you’ll wear a special boot or a cast to protect the newly corrected forefoot. Putting full weight on that foot right after the procedure risks damaging the bones, which could potentially cause the problem to reoccur in the future. However, not everyone needs a full cast and crutches, either.

The simpler the bunion and the procedure, the sooner you can walk on that foot again. Some situations can allow partial weight-bearing afterward, so you may be able to walk for short periods of time, particularly with assistance. More advanced and complicated bunion surgeries will need full cast and crutches; it may be several weeks before you can even start to walk on that foot again. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. will discuss all of this and your full recovery with you before you have your surgery. Contact us for more information or for a bunion appointment today. You can reach our Parker, Cherry Creek, and Castle Pines, CO, offices online or by calling (303) 805-5156.

If you are to the point that you are ready for bunion surgery, proper preparation it important. First, you’ll need to have your bunion carefully evaluated with X-rays or other diagnostic images to determine how serious the damage is and consider the type of surgery that will be best for you. During this time, our experts at Podiatry Associates, P.C. will also discuss your expectations and what will happen during and after the procedure.

Depending on your current health, you may need a physical exam from your primary care physician to determine if it’s safe for you to have surgery. This extra step is common for patients living with heart or lung conditions. Before the procedure, you may have to stop taking some regular medications. You might need to arrange for a driver to take you to and from your appointment on the day of your surgery as well. We will discuss all of these preparations, as well as any others you may need, in more detail with you at your pre-surgery appointments. Contact our offices in Cherry Creek, Castle Pines, and Parker, CO, for more information about bunion surgery. You can reach us online, or by calling (303) 805-5156.

Exactly when it’s safest to return to running after a runner’s knee injury depends on a number of factors, including how serious the injury is, your fitness level, how experienced of a runner you are, and whether or not you were able to cross-train while recovering. Typically you are able to return to running when you no longer feel pain in your knee. The key is that you only run as long as you do not have pain. Start slowly and don’t go as far as you normally might, stopping at the first sign of discomfort. Walk regularly, and stretch and strengthen your leg muscles. You might need to change your footwear or orthotics as well, particularly if you are prone to overpronation.

A physical therapy specialist like Dr. Jennifer Molner can help you evaluate your runner’s knee and safe return to running. Our experts will help you create and follow a plan to care for your knees so you’re able to continue your sport. Don’t let runner’s knee stop you in your tracks. Contact Castle Pines Physical Therapy or Cherry Creek Physical Therapy in Castle Pines and Cherry Creek, CO, for an appointment to take care of your joints today. You can reach us online or by calling (303) 805-5156.