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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  • How can I prevent foot injuries while running?

    Running injuryMany running injuries can be prevented by wearing the right shoes and investing in your foot strength.

    Choose footwear that fits well—not too tight, too short, too narrow, or too loose. Make sure you wear the right type of shoes for your stride and your foot type. Replace worn out pairs as well. Use orthotics to correct your biomechanics if you need to. Wear socks that wick moisture and reduce friction; this helps prevent blisters.

    Strengthening and conditioning can also prevent many overuse sports injuries in your feet and ankles. You need strong calves, arches, and toes to absorb the hard impacts of striking the ground and pushing off again repeatedly. Calf raises and heel drops strengthen and stretch your calf muscles and Achilles tendons. Toe spreads work the small, supporting muscles in your feet. Warm up and cool down before and after your run, and ease into any routine changes so your feet can adjust.

    These simple tips can go a long way in helping prevent foot injuries. If you’d like more information, contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines and Parker, CO. Just call (303) 805-5156 to reach us.

     

  • How long will it take for a metatarsal fracture to heal?

    Metatarsal FractureHow long it takes for a metatarsal fracture to heal entirely depends on how serious the break is and how well you take care of it. Your full recovery may range from several weeks to several months. The more serious the injury is—cracks in multiple places, broken ends that don’t align, pieces that have to be surgically held together—the longer it will take. Failing to treat it correctly lengthens healing time, too. Whether it’s a simple or more complicated injury, the recovery process follows roughly the same pattern.

    First, you spend a few weeks in a cast or special boot to immobilize your foot. You’ll minimize or completely avoid putting weight on the affected limb during this time. If your fracture required surgery, the immobilization period may last a couple months. After your bones show signs of healing, you’ll slowly begin putting weight on that foot again. You’ll move to wearing stiff-soled and then more comfortable shoes as you recondition your feet for activity. Don’t wait to get help for a fracture—the recovery will only take longer. Let Podiatry Associates, P.C. and Castle Pines Physical Therapy help you. Call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment.

  • Can I exercise with a metatarsal fracture?

    Resting after a fractureIf you have a full metatarsal fracture, or even a stress fracture, you need to put most exercise on pause to allow your lower limb to heal. Most active athletes don’t like to hear that kind of news, but continuing to put pressure on your feet after a foot fracture of any kind will only make the injury worse. The bones need to heal first. For a metatarsal fracture, this may mean a few weeks with your foot in a special boot or cast with limited-to-no weight bearing at all.

    When you’re able to exercise, you’ll probably start with low-impact activities, like water aerobics or swimming. As your foot continues to recover, you’ll be able to add exercises like using an elliptical or riding a bike. Then you’ll need to start rehabilitating your foot and supporting muscles to handle your regular activities. Once your bones are healed, you’ll be able to start easing into your normal routines. If you’re concerned about staying fit with a broken foot, let us know at Podiatry Associates, P.C. and we’ll help you with your recovery therapy. Just call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment.

  • What is metatarsalgia?

    Doctor examining footMetatarsalgia is an overuse injury you develop in the ball of your foot. Inflammation and irritation where your metatarsal bones and your toes meet make it uncomfortable to stand or walk around, to say nothing of running or playing sports. Metatarsalgia isn’t a very specific condition, though, since it actually encompasses many other ball of the foot problems, including sesamoiditis and Morton’s neuroma. Many people consider it to be a general descriptor for forefoot inflammation.

    The good news is, since it’s an overuse injury, conservative care is usually very effective for alleviating pain. Padding the ball of the foot, resting from hard impact activities, and wearing supportive shoes or orthotics are the most common remedies. Icing the ball of the foot when it aches may alleviate irritation and decrease swelling, if there is any. We might recommend anti-inflammatory medications for you, too. You don’t have to live with forefoot pain! Let Podiatry Associates, P.C., help you eliminate it. Call (303) 805-5156 or use our website to make an appointment at our Parker or Castle Pines, CO, office locations.

  • What’s causing the pain in the ball of my foot?

    Ball of foot painBall of the foot pain can have many different causes, but the most basic culprit is metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia is a general condition that describes discomfort under the ball of the foot. It’s an overuse injury that causes inflammation, burning, and soreness where your toes meet your metatarsal bones.

    Many issues can lead to metatarsalgia pain. Generally, the problem is related to excessive pressure on the forefoot. This can be the result of your natural foot mechanics, like having high or low arches, or an abnormally long metatarsal bone. Thinning of your foot pad tissue can be a culprit, as well as conditions like bunions or hammertoes. The shoes you wear might also be a factor. Fortunately, these are all treatable problems.

    Let the Podiatry Associates, P.C., team help you eliminate your ball of the foot pain and get back to doing the activities that you love. Call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment with either of our Parker or Castle Pines, CO, office locations.

  • How can I prevent bursitis in my feet?

    Bursitis painAvoiding bursitis is not only possible, it is actually the best option for your lower limbs. Typically this condition is caused by overuse in your feet or ankles. The strain aggravates the bursa, irritating it and causing painful inflammation. To prevent bursitis, you need to support your lower limbs and reduce strain that could cause overuse.

    Wearing the right shoes is one of the biggest factors for preventing this condition. Use styles that have cushioned insoles, wide toe boxes, low heels, and appropriate support through the arch to help your feet absorb pressure. Orthotics can help correct biomechanical weaknesses and supplement the support in your shoes. Stretch out your feet regularly to keep tendons from getting too tight and aggravating a bursa. Make sure you condition yourself carefully for all your activities so your lower limbs are able to handle the pressure. If you notice any pain, rest and address it.

    Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. can help you keep your feet healthy and strong. Just call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment with our Parker, Cherry Creek, or Castle Pines, CO, offices.

  • Can certain activities cause bursitis?

    Basketball can lead to bursitisSince bursitis is an overuse injury, its many causes include certain activities and repetitive motions. Running, jumping repeatedly, and lots of start-and-stop motions are common contributors to the condition. This can happen through classic activities like jogging, soccer, basketball, and more. The hard pounding and strain on your foot structures can easily aggravate the bursa. Even sudden accidents when you’re playing sports can contribute to bursitis, though this is less common.

    However, even spending extended periods of time on your feet or doing household chores can overwork the lower limbs and contribute to bursa problems. This is especially true in older populations—aging thins the bursa sac, making it more vulnerable. It’s also prominent among people who are sedentary and unaccustomed to regular activity. Fortunately, bursitis is easily treatable, especially if you catch it early. Let Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Parker, Cherry Creek, and Castle Pines, CO, help you take care of your feet. Use our website to make an appointment. You can also call (303) 805-5156 to reach us.

  • Does balance training really work?

    Balance training can helpBalance training can actually help you improve your proprioception and overall balance, if done correctly. Proprioception is your body’s ability to recognize where you are in space so you can adjust and balance effectively. This means you know exactly where each limb is and can adjust their functions appropriately. After an injury like an ankle sprain, not only are your ligaments overstretched and painful, but they also lose some of their proprioception. This makes your joint both weaker and more unstable overall, increasing the likelihood that it will “give out” underneath you.

    Balance training works to strengthen the tissues supporting a joint and re-train your body to adjust to sudden changes in the ground below you without you having to think about it consciously. This can help you balance better in your daily life as well as in sports. You don’t have to wait for an injury to start balance training, either. This therapy can be a preventative measure. Let Castle Pines Physical Therapy in Castle Pines or Cherry Creek CO, help you improve your balance. Make an appointment online or by calling (303) 805-5156.

  • What is involved with manual therapy?

    Manual therapyManual therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that involves a highly-trained expert using his or her hands, instead of a machine, to treat a problem. Dr. Jennifer Molner carefully uses her hands to apply pressure to muscle tissue or joints. This manipulation or massage then helps relax soft tissues, increase circulation, and improve flexibility. It can also help your mobility. Careful, slow twists, pulls, and pushes maneuver bones and joints into their correct position and alignment. This improves your physical function and helps alleviate your pain.

    This does have to be done very carefully. Not all physical therapists are trained to provide this kind of specialized care. Dr. Jennifer Molner at Castle Pines Physical Therapy is licensed to perform this type of conservative, non-invasive, effective therapy. If you’re struggling with pain or loss of mobility in your joints or your back, let our team help take care of it. Call our Castle Pines, CO, office or Cherry Creek location at (303) 805-5156 for an appointment.

  • What is a heel spur?

    Heel spur x-rayA heel spur is a bony bump that develops out of the larger heel bone when it is under frequent pressure. Stress on the heel bone over a period of time stimulates the body to create these hard lumps. Spurs can develop underneath the heel or on the back of it. Typically a spur underneath the heel bone is the result of chronic inflammation and pulling from the plantar fascia. On the back of the foot, it’s usually related to tightness in the Achilles tendon.

    A heel spur may or may not cause pain itself—but since it’s generally connected to an uncomfortable issue with soft tissue, the condition can become a problem for you. Typically, pain depends on how much pressure is placed on the back of the foot. Treatment usually revolves around reducing pressure on the heel and alleviating stress in the soft tissues around the spur. Let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you diagnose and deal with bony protrusions on your lower limbs. Use our online form or call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment at our Castle Pines, Parker, or Cherry Creek CO offices.