We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

Runner’s knee is a common overuse injury, so it can recur unless you work to actively prevent it when you recover. Make sure your running shoes are appropriately supportive of your arches. If you are prone to overpronation, you might need orthotics or motion-control shoes to help moderate your gait. Exercises that build up your calves and hamstrings help with overpronation, too. Since the quad muscles in your thighs substantially impact knee stability, stretch them daily and work them to build their strength. Consider running on softer surfaces, too, at least for a time.

To prevent runner’s knee from developing again when you first get back to running regularly, start very slow. Plan to run shorter distances with a lower intensity than you might normally. Stick to flat, soft surfaces to reduce the strain on your joint. Stop running as soon as you feel pain and avoid walking down stairs or hills as much as possible. Our physical therapy experts at Castle Pines Physical Therapy and Cherry Creek Physical Therapy can help you both recover from and prevent knee injuries. Just make an appointment at our Castle Pines or Cherry Creek, CO, offices online or by calling (303) 805-5156 to get started.

There are alternatives to treat toenail fungus, though they can vary in how effective they are. Many people swear by natural and home remedies, but the success of these remedies is inconsistent and what may have helped your neighbor may not do anything for you. Some common, natural alternatives include Vick’s VapoRub, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils like tea tree, oregano, and lavender oil. All of these have to be applied topically to your toenails consistently over time for them to work.

A more reliable, non-medication method is to treat your toes with laser therapy. This method uses intense, highly focused laser lights that are set to very specific wavelengths to destroy the infecting fungus under your nails. The light passes harmlessly through your nail and affects the infection underneath, all without harming your toe or nail at all. In clinical studies so far, this method has been successful for a majority of patients, though again, it may not work for everyone.

Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. are experts at eliminating toenail fungus. Contact our Cherry Creek, Parker, or Castle Pines, CO, offices today for more information or an appointment by calling (303) 805-5156.

When you start laser treatment for toenail fungus depends entirely on you, your needs, and your discussion with foot and nail experts like our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C.. The sooner you address nail fungus, though, the easier it is to eliminate. The condition gets harder to treat the more it spreads and damages your nails. You are able to begin laser treatment once the condition has been diagnosed accurately, but it might fit your needs better to start with other treatments first before jumping to the laser therapy.

Our team will help you determine what will be the best fit for you and your needs, whether that’s laser treatment or something else. The key is to get your nails checked as soon as you notice changes that might be an infection. Our experts will perform diagnostic tests to check for the fungus. Once it has been confirmed, we’ll discuss the nail laser and other treatment options with you.

Make an appointment today to have your nails checked if you’re even suspicious that something isn’t right. You can reach our Castle Pines, Parker, and Cherry Creek, CO, offices online, or by calling (303) 805-5156.

Yes, custom orthotics can be made for specific types of shoes. Most of these inserts are designed to fit many types of daily footwear, though, so you may not need special pairs. You can simply slip out your orthotics and switch them to the shoes or even sandals you plan to wear next. Other orthotics, however, can be made for specific shoe styles and purposes. Running orthotics are designed to help control and support your feet as you run, so they would be made to fit your athletic footwear. Other pairs can be designed to fit into dress shoes, and in some cases, even heels.

The best plan is to discuss your orthotics with specialists like our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. about when and how you will use your orthotic inserts. If you want or need custom inserts for a particular pair of shoes, like dress shoes, but your ordinary ones do not fit, we may be able to help you with a specially designed pair. Other people, however, may not need this accommodation. Make an appointment at our Parker, Castle Pines, and Cherry Creek, CO, offices today to discover what is best for your feet. You can reach us by calling (303) 805-5156 or through our web request forms.

Custom orthotics and store-bought or “over-the-counter” inserts are not the same thing. Custom orthotics are special inserts that are prescribed by a physician like our experts at Podiatry Associates, P.C., and designed to fit your unique feet and needs. Through cushioning and support, they help your foot handle stress and function at its best. They are created by analyzing your gait and foot structure, then determining what you need for your lower limbs to work correctly. Because they are designed specifically for you, they can’t be used by other people.

Orthotic inserts that you buy at the pharmacy, grocery store, or anywhere else are prefabricated insoles that are designed with basic foot types in mind, but not for your unique needs. They also offer support and cushioning, but they cannot help correct gait issues and may or may not be what your foot really requires to function at its best. That’s not to say they are never helpful; for people with mild foot pain, they might be just right. Let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Cherry Creek, Castle Pines, and Parker, CO, determine what orthotic you really need. Call (303) 805-5156 or use our website to make an appointment with us today.

Unfortunately, foot pain during pregnancy is very common because of the extra weight on your lower limbs and certain hormones that relax ligaments throughout your body. The good news is that you can do plenty to relieve this discomfort. Make sure you wear shoes that have arch support and cushioning under your soles to handle the extra pressure. You might need to get slightly larger footwear, too. As various ligaments relax, the extra weight can flatten out your foot, making it slightly longer and wider.

When your feet swell, prop them up so they are at least parallel to the ground. Although it seems contradictory, drink plenty of fluids. Being dehydrated makes swelling much worse. Avoid wearing socks or shoes that squeeze or restrict your circulation. Little exercises that improve circulation can help as well. Exercise is also a remedy for cramping feet. If you’re struggling with foot pain during pregnancy, know you can get help. Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Parker, Cherry Creek, and Castle Pines, CO, wants to make sure you stay comfortable throughout your pregnancy. Use our online forms or call (303) 805-5156 to reach us for an appointment.

Pregnancy absolutely affects your feet in several ways, which may or may not cause some level of discomfort for expectant mothers. Natural weight gain from carrying your bundle of joy can put extra pressure on your lower limbs. This can contribute to sore feet and heel pain from the extra stress on your connective tissues. The extra weight can actually make your feet larger, too—the pressure slightly flattens your natural arch, making your lower limbs longer and possibly wider. You may notice an increase in overpronation as a result as well, which may make you more prone to arch and heel pain problems.

The pressure can also contribute to other side effects like swelling, spider veins, and muscle cramping. The key is to keep an eye on any changes in your lower limbs and, if they don’t improve with a little home care, have them checked and treated. Pregnancy changes don’t have to include foot pain. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. wants to make sure you stay pain-free while carrying your bundle of joy. Make an appointment at our Cherry Creek, Parker, or Castle Pines, CO, locations by calling (303) 805-5156.

Yes, being overweight increases your risk for developing diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are closely linked because of how excess fat and inactivity negatively affect your body. Excess fat actually increases your body’s resistance to insulin, which is the substance your body uses to process blood sugar correctly. Over time, this resistance can result in diabetes, or make existing diabetic problems much worse. Just as serious, obesity strains other systems throughout your body—including your heart, circulation, muscles, and skeleton—making it more likely you’ll develop diabetes and other health problems.

Although it’s challenging, changing your diet and losing weight is the best way to prevent weight-related health problems like type 2 diabetes. Then you’re able to avoid diabetic complications, including foot problems like ulcers and Charcot foot. If you’re concerned your weight is putting your health at risk, or you’ve been told you now have diabetes, let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you take care of yourself. We’ll make sure you and your feet get the help you need. Call (303) 805-5156 or use our online request forms to reach us.

No, there are many different risk factors for type 2 diabetes, although being overweight is certainly a high risk. Other factors that play a role in developing this kind of diabetes include your age, your level of regular physical activity, your family history of the disease, your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, your race, and even a few preexisting conditions for women.

The older you are, the higher your risk for diabetic problems. Living a sedentary life is closely tied to obesity and also contributes to problems with insulin in your body. Having parents or siblings with diabetes makes you more likely to develop it, too. High blood pressure, low levels of “healthy” cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides can damage your arteries and contribute to the disease as well. While no one understands why, certain races are significantly more prone to diabetes, particularly people from black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American groups. Women have additional risks from preexisting conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes.

If you know you’re at high risk for type 2 diabetes, let our experts at Podiatry Associates, P.C. work with you to protect yourself and your limbs from damage before anything happens. Call (303) 805-5156 to reach our Castle Pines, Parker, and Cherry Creek, CO, offices today.

Body weight actually has a significant impact on your knees. Excess weight add pressure to your joints and strains them, potentially contributing to knee pain and damage like arthritis. This is because being obese or even overweight compresses the cartilage and protective cushioning in your joints, wearing them down over time and decreasing their shock-absorption potential. Eventually, those layers might thin out completely and allow unprotected bone tissue to grind together, causing significant discomfort.

The good news is that even a little weight loss has been shown to benefit your knees. It is challenging, but investing in your knee health this way allows you to continue with your favorite activities. If you’re struggling with knee pain now, it is possible that your weight is an influencing factor.

Our teams at Castle Pines Physical Therapy and Cherry Creek Physical Therapy are happy to help you get to the bottom of your pain and start a plan to take care of your joints, including your knees. Call us at (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment at our Castle Pines and Cherry Creek, CO, offices. You can also use our website to reach us.