Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone typically caused by repetitive force or stress. While they can occur in various areas of the body, stress fractures are more likely to occur in the foot due to it having to bear weight and having to sustain repeated strikes. They can be very painful and often take time to properly heal. To avoid dealing with stress fractures, practice methods to prevent them from occurring. If you are starting a new physical activity, prevent stress fractures by taking it slowly and gradually increasing intensity and duration. This prevents overuse and allows your body to acclimate to physical stress. Footwear that provides proper support can improve your running style and prevent stress fractures. The surfaces you run on can also affect your risk for injury. Soft surfaces like grass can be more forgiving than harder surfaces like concrete. If you have questions about stress fractures and whether running is right for you, ask a podiatrist.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

While buying shoes for children can be tough, it is important. Children’s feet are still developing and growing, and their shoes have to reflect this. It’s a good idea to measure a child’s foot before buying shoes. When they try on the shoe, check to see if they can wiggle their toes around. If they can’t, look for shoes that are either longer or wider. Even after buying a pair of shoes, it is recommended to keep measuring them every few months to see if they still fit. Children’s feet grow quickly, and their shoes can be subject to more wear than those of adults. Consequently, replacing shoes every few months may not be uncommon.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is an inflammatory condition that forms as a result of excess uric acid in the blood. Studies have shown that drinks that are high in sugar have resulted in a heightened risk of gout in men. Approximately 1 in 14 men and 1 in 35 women have the condition, and the big toe is the most common joint to be affected by it. Experts believe that cases of gout have risen in the past twenty years because more people are drinking soda and other sugary drinks than ever before. If you are worried about developing gout try to avoid things like seafood, which is typically high in purines.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

You should always make sure you are wearing proper footwear for whichever activity you are about to engage in. Hiker Marci Hansen recalls her experience going hiking with a friend: “I would step on a wet root and it was not even a thing, and she would really slip and fall.” She explains that the difference between her friend and herself is that she came prepared with the right shoes required to go hiking. The cause of her friend’s injuries was the fact that she wore shoes that were not made to endure the wet and uneven surfaces. If you are planning on going hiking, tread is one of the most important things you should look for when shoe shopping. Shoes that are sturdy enough to go hiking will help protect you from injuries that can easily be avoided.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic foot refers to the set of diseases that may affect the feet as a result of diabetes mellitus. While also having diabetes, a person may develop diabetic foot by wearing improper footwear, smoking tobacco, having a pre-existing foot infection, or chronic nerve damage. According to Mayo Clinic, diabetic foot may decrease one’s ability to feel a variety of sensations. Some of these feelings include the ability to sense pain, temperature and cramps. A person with diabetic foot may also have a loss of balance and coordination, as well as serious podiatric issues such as ulcers and infections.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankles are an important part of the human body's structure, since they provide the flexibility needed to walk. An ankle sprain occurs when there is a tear in the ligament. These tears can either be mild and result in a mild sprain, or they can be severe and cause a more serious sprain. Ankle sprains can happen to anyone regardless of age, and they can occur while performing any everyday activity. If you are suffering from a mild sprain, it is advised that you follow the RICE method, which stands for Rest, Ice, Elevation, and Compression. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to treat minor cases of ankle sprains.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

While most people tend to take having pain free feet for granted, people with bunions do not have this privilege. A common myth is that only people of old age develop bunions; this, however, isn't often true. Approximately 30% of adolescents have developed bunions, and a majority of these bunion sufferers are girls. While footwear is commonly a cause of the deformity, genetics are also capable of playing a role in its development. Bunion treatment depends heavily on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, shoe inserts and wider shoes can be helpful; in severe cases, however, surgery may be needed. Nevertheless, you should have your podiatrist determine the severity of your bunion so that he or she can provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

While many people tend to be concerned with the appearance of their toenails, it is crucial that the overall health of your feet is taken care of as well. This is why it is important that you have a podiatrist who can treat all your foot and ankle related problems. One of the more common problems that people go to a podiatrist for are ingrown toenails. The fact that podiatrists specialize in treating feet allows them to treat ingrown toenails with minimal pain. One podiatrist says, “I see countless people who were traumatized when treated elsewhere. This breaks my heart every time one of these patients walks into my office.” Seeking help from a podiatrist may be very beneficial when you are experiencing issues with your feet.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.