We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

Podiatry Associates NurseHave questions about bunion removal, orthotics and more?

When you live in constant pain, you have questions about what causes your pain and how you can get the relief you crave. Get the answers you need from our podiatrists and physical therapists.

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  • Should I take my child to a podiatrist?

    Bringing your child to a podiatristThe health of your children’s feet matters. After all, you take your child to normal check-ups for regular health and other specialists when something goes wrong. Your child’s feet really aren’t that different. A pediatric podiatrist is there to help your son or daughter maintain healthy lower limbs that will carry him or her through life.

    Many life-long foot and ankle issues that plague people have roots in childhood—or are even present at birth. For birth deformities or other congenital issues, prompt treatment of your baby’s feet can correct, or at the very least minimize, the problems for later in your child’s life. Because children’s lower limbs are still growing, there’s incredible potential to help feet stay healthy and strong and avoid issues in the future. A podiatrist can also help with injuries. Your child doesn’t want to live with foot injuries any more than you do, which is why treatment is necessary. Some painful problems only appear in children, too, like Sever’s disease. All in all, having your child see a podiatrist is just a matter of health. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. is happy to help your whole family at any age. Just call (303) 805-5156 to make the appointment in Denver, CO.

  • Why do my child’s flat feet hurt?

    Children's hurting flat feetMany types of children’s flat feet don’t cause painful problems. When the low arches are the result of a condition like tarsal coalition, however, it can be quite uncomfortable for your child. Tarsal coalition is a bone abnormality in the middle or back of the foot. Extra bone, cartilage, or other fibrous tissue grows between two of the tarsal bones, connecting them. While your child is young and growing, this connection is usually relatively flexible and painless. As your son or daughter gets older, the bones harden more and the feet mature. This extra tissue hardens as well, making the arch rigid.

    A rigid arch isn’t able to accommodate changes in the ground or absorb shock efficiently. This can put a lot of stress on the feet and cause pain when your child stands, walks, or is otherwise active. This isn’t something that improves with time, so if it causes your child pain, it needs to be addressed. Let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek in Denver, and Parker, CO help your son or daughter walk without discomfort. Call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment with us, or find out more through our website.

  • What is dynamic stretching?

    Dynamic stretching is a series of controlled movements that warm up the muscles and prepare them for strenuous activity. These exercises are designed specifically to move a group of muscles or a joint through a challenging movement that repeats. This forces the body and the muscle tissue to activate and prepare for more difficult and strenuous activities. The stretching loosens up your muscles and increases their temperature, which helps them function better under stress. These exercises also can increase your joint range of motion. All of these effects reduce your risk for injury.

    This is different than the better-known static stretches, which involve forcing the muscles to relax and lengthen by holding a single position for a period of time. While this is still popular for a warm-up and does have some merit for athletes, these stretches are not as beneficial before starting athletic activities as their dynamic counterparts. If you’d like to learn more about dynamic stretching, contact the Podiatry Associates, P.C. offices in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO. Just call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment with us.

  • Can stretching prevent injuries?

    Stretching to prevent injuriesWhether or not you can prevent injuries with stretching really depends on what kinds of exercises you’re doing to stretch out. Traditional, static stretches that increase flexibility and range of motion are actually not very helpful for preventing injuries. While you don’t want muscles to grow too stiff or tight, forcibly loosening them before you’re active doesn’t stop you from getting hurt or overusing muscles.

    Dynamic stretching performed as a part of your warm up, however, can definitely be helpful for preventing some types of injuries. This is because the best exercises target the muscles you’ll be using for your sport or other athletic activity. The continuous movements encourage a healthy range of motion while firing the muscle tissue and increasing its temperature, all of which prepares it to respond when you need it to. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO, can help you establish healthy warm-up routines and incorporate good dynamic stretches. Call us today at (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment.

  • What causes shin splints?

    The causes of shin splintsThe specific causes of shin splints can vary slightly; however, anything that causes your lower limbs to become overworked can contribute to the condition. Generally this is the result of repetitive stress from running or other sports. The constant, repeated hard impacts wear out your feet, so they can’t absorb shock efficiently any more. Your shins end up absorbing the pounding instead. This creates uncomfortable inflammation in the soft tissues beside your shin bone, as well as even in the shins themselves.

    A few other things may contribute to shin splints. Biomechanical issues can add to the stress on your lower limbs. Poorly-fitted or worn out shoes may stress your feet, too. The problem is, since shin splints are a result of overworking your lower limbs, they won’t get better unless you address them. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. can help you get the care your shins need. Make an appointment at our Castle Pines, Cherry Crek, or Parker, CO, offices through our website. You can also call (303) 805-5156.

  • Can I run with shin splints?

    Shin splints are a very common, fairly painful injury for athletes of all levels. While running with shin splints is certainly possible, especially in the early stages of the condition, it is not a good idea if you want to heal at all. This is an overuse injury, which means repetitive hard impacts have stressed your shins and the soft tissues beside them, causing inflammation and swelling. Continuing to run on them only adds to the painful stress and prevents the damage from healing. In some cases, the condition can actually contribute to stress fractures in your shin, which is a more serious condition that will definitely require you to stop running to avoid a full break.

    To recover from your shin splints, it really is best to take a break from running—instead, put your energy toward cross-training with low impact activities that won’t add so much stress to your lower legs. If you’re struggling with pain while running, let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO, help you. Use our website to make an appointment with us.

  • How do you treat fungal toenails?

    When toenail fungus takes hold it can be very difficult to get rid of and can even spread, making matters worse. There are over-the-counter remedies like polishes and creams, but these are typically tedious and ineffective. We can provide prescription strength topical and oral medication for better results, and for an even quicker recovery, we offer laser treatment for fungal toenails.Treat fungal toenails with laser therapy!

    Safe, painless, and fast, this high-tech approach uses wavelengths of light to penetrate the nail and eliminate the fungal infection beneath it without harming any surrounding tissues. There are no side effects and you won’t experience any downtime – you can go right back to your normal activities!

    For the most efficient and effective path to clear and healthy nails, call us to schedule an appointment and get started with laser treatment for fungal toenails today! Just dial (303) 805-5156 and you’ll be on your way to being toenail fungus-free!

  • Are athletes the only ones who get athlete’s foot?

    Although called “athlete’s” foot because of how common it is among athletes, anyone can develop this fungal infection. The condition is actually a skin problem. It’s caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, damp environments, particularly places like locker rooms, community showers, and pools. It can grow on the skin of your feet if they are frequently warm, sweaty, and enclosed in shoes. You develop the infection when your skin is exposed to the pathogen and then provides the favorable kind of atmosphere the fungus needs to survive and thrive.

    Unfortunately, cleanliness alone doesn’t help you avoid the problem, since the causes of athlete’s foot are connected to how damp or sweaty your feet and footwear are. If you generally have moist feet, particularly between your toes, you risk getting a fungal infection. Let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO, help you prevent the condition before it sets in. Call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment right away, or use our online request form to reach us.

  • How do you find the right shoes for your kids?

    Barefoot child upside-down Shoes for children affect the health and stability of your son or daughter’s feet. Make sure you help your child select footwear that benefits his or her limbs, not just on cosmetic merits alone. Fitting children’s shoes properly is particularly important. Measure your child’s feet before looking for shoe sizes. Then select a size that is about half an inch longer than your child’s longest toe. This ensures there is room for feet to grow. The front of the shoe should be rounded and high enough that your child can wiggle his or her toes. One finger should fit snugly between the back of the shoe and your child’s foot.

    Keep in mind your child’s age and walking development as well: babies only need soft booties, toddlers need flexible styles that let them walk easily, and older children need more durable footwear for playing. If you need help finding or fitting children’s shoes, call Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Parker, Cherry Creek, and Castle Pines, CO, for more information or an appointment. Call (303) 805-5156 or use the web request form to reach us.

  • Can children get bunions?

    Children and teens can definitely develop a juvenile bunion. This problem appears just like the one you find in adults—the big toe leans in toward the smaller digits, while its metatarsal tilts in the opposite direction. The joint where the two meet bulges out to the side of your child’s foot. Bunions in children are slightly different from adults, however. Although the deformity is the same, it doesn’t necessarily develop for the same reasons. The adult condition develops when the forefoot suffers under abnormal, excessive pressure for a long period of time. In children, the foot is usually hypermobile and not as secure in the joints. Stress from flat feet or bad shoes encourages the first metatarsal to drift and the big toe to tilt in, creating the bunion bulge.

    The good news is that nearly all treatment types for a juvenile bunion are conservative. Children and teens rarely need surgery to manage discomfort and prevent the problem from getting worse. If your child has a bunion issue, let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek in Denver, and Parker, CO, help care for it. Use our online form to make an appointment today.