We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

The vast majority of people with plantar fasciitis—more than 95%—will have their heel pain resolved without surgery. However, the condition does not fix itself. You may be concerned that your doctor will tell you to stay off your feet and give up your activities. Most people would rather just live with the pain than do that! Doing nothing isn’t the answer, though. That choice will only make your heel pain worse. You need intentional care.

Treatment begins with the appropriate diagnosis by your podiatrist at Podiatry Associates, P.C. Next, a treatment plan will be designed for you that might include strappings, custom orthotics, physical therapy, stretching, and in rare cases, injections. After a while, your heel pain will resolve, and you’ll be able to resume the activities you enjoy. The key is early treatment. Contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO to see how we can help your heels recover. Visit our online contact page or call (303) 805-5156 for an appointment or more information.

Wearing high heels consistently can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis. Choosing to wear high heels all of the time causes your Achilles tendon to tighten. That then pulls on your heel bone, especially when you flatten out your feet again. This can also injure the plantar fascia.

The key to recovering is to avoid wearing a heel higher than two inches for an extended period of time. Otherwise you will only injure the ligament further. Treatment should include stretching, custom orthotics that fit into dress shoes, and moderation in your footwear. The podiatrists and physical therapists at Podiatry Associates, P.C. can get you fitted for custom orthotics and will create a physical therapy routine designed to relieve your pain.

If your shoe choices have left you with aching feet, you can still do something to change it. Don’t allow your feet a chance to get worse. Contact our offices in Castle Pines, Parker, or Cherry Creek today by calling (303) 805-5156 or by requesting an appointment online.

Plantar fasciitis is the painful inflammation and swelling of the plantar fascia, which is a ligament on the bottom of your foot that starts in your heel and extends into your toes. Frequently the tissue becomes injured because this ligament does not stretch well. Strain on the foot pulls the ligament and strains it, causing discomfort. Age can make a difference as well. As we grow older, our feet flatten, which puts tension on that ligament and contributes to the injury. Usually the heel feels the worst after long periods of time either sitting or standing, so you may feel it when you get out of your car after a long day at work, or after you exercise.

Don’t let heel pain keep you from doing what you love. You do not have to suffer from plantar fasciitis--we can help. Call Podiatry Associates, P.C. at (303) 805-5156 or schedule an appointment online for uncomfortable heels at our Cherry Creek, Castle Pines, or Parker, CO offices.

There are many different causes of heel pain. These conditions include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, calcaneal apophysitis, and peroneal tendonitis. Each of these involves a structure that is attached to or affects the heel bone. For some reason or another, those tissues become injured or overworked and begin to hurt. The key to treating this pain begins with the correct diagnosis. You will need to have your feet examined by a professional, like those here at Podiatry Associates, P.C. They can determine what specific structures are affected and help you begin a path to recovery.

Heel pain doesn’t usually improve on its own. You do need intentional care to repair the damage and allow your foot to heal. If you’re struggling with painful heels, contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Parker, or Cherry Creek, CO for an appointment or more information. You can reach us by calling (303) 805-5156 or visiting the online contact page.

We have seen bunions in children as early as 4-5 years of age, but they can form at any age. The earlier the age of onset of this type of bump, the more severe the deformity may become, and the more aggressive treatment may need to be. A bunion usually develops slowly over time, and people often ignore the early symptoms. However, this is the best time to come in and have us look at them, because the earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes are. Custom-made orthotics can help to slow down the worsening of these deformities. This conservative remedy redistributes the weight more evenly over the foot and provides cushioning where it is needed to prevent pain.

If you notice a bump starting to form on the inside of your child’s big toe (or your own), it’s time to call Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO at 303-805-5156 and set up an appointment. We want to help your feet stay healthy and mobile!

Wearing high heels does not cause bunions. If you don’t have the genetics to develop one, a particular shoe will not cause a bunion. However, if you have a bump on the side of your foot, these shoe styles can really cause it to hurt. They force your feet into an unnatural angle and put more pressure on the big toe joint, aggravating its tendency to move into the wrong position. If you must wear heels, it is best to stick to those that are around two inches high or less.

The same principles apply to boots, by the way. Make sure they have lower heels and plenty of room for your toes, plus room for the socks you will wear with them. If you need help finding shoes or boots that fit, contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek in Denver, and Parker, CO by calling 303-805-5156 today.

Wear a shoe that does not rub on the bunion. This usually requires a style that is a little larger and wider in the front. Shoes with seams on the inside of the big toe area are not a good choice, either, because they will rub and usually cause the bunion to hurt. It is possible that a softer shoe, one that gives a little at the sides, will be easier to wear than a stiff, leather shoe.

Sometimes it is difficult to find shoes that do not cause pain, but padding a bunion only makes it worse. Without treatment, however, the problem will only increase until intervention by a podiatrist is necessary. If the pain is more than you want to put up with, call Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek in Denver, and Parker, CO today at 303-805-5156 and find relief! 

If you are an avid runner you have likely encountered numerous injuries. Some of the most common running injuries include, but are not limited to:

Iliotibial Band Syndrome - is one of the most common overuse injuries among runners. It occurs when the iliotibial band, the ligament that runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin, is tight or inflamed. The IT band attaches to the knee and helps stabilize and move the joint. When the IT band isn't working properly, movement of the knee becomes painful.

Patellafemoral Pain Syndrome - is pain in the front of the knee. It frequently occurs in athletes. It sometimes is caused by wearing down, roughening, or softening of the cartilage under the kneecap.

Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper's Knee) - is an injury that affects the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shin bone. The patellar tendon plays a pivotal role in the way you use your leg muscles. It helps your muscles extend your knee so that you can kick a ball, run uphill and jump up in the air. This injury is most common in athletes whose sports involve frequent jumping, like basketball and volleyball. However, even people who don't participate in jumping sports can experience patellar tendinitis.

Achillies Tendonitis - is when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. This tendon is called the Achilles tendon. It is used for walking, running, and jumping

Plantar Fasciitis - occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed.

The physical therapist at Castle Pines Physical Therapy​ will evalutate you and taylor a specific treatment plan to strengthen your muscles and tendons. We offer one-on-one treatment sessions to evaluate your needs and get you back to running or hiking pain-free! ​If you’re currently battling one of these injuries, call us at 303-805-5156 to make an appointment at Castle Pines Physical Therapy or Cherry Creek Physical Therapy.

If you have pain in your feet when you get out of bed in the morning you might be suffering from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain that develops on the bottom of your heel. It can occur in all ages, genders and in all foot types. To determine if plantar fascitis is the cause of your heel pain and what your treatment options are, contact our office today at 303-805-5156 to make an appointment with Dr. Oberholtzer-Classen at our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker locations.

Physical therapy treatment sessions are generally 30 minutes in duration. During a physical therapy session you will experience one-on-one treatment from your physical therapist. This may include any of the treatments listed here. You should dress in loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. You can call us at 303-805-5156 or use our online contact forms to schedule an appointment today at our physical therapy centers in Castle Pines or Cherry Creek, CO.