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Dr. Horlebein will be joining Advanced Regional Ankle & Foot Care LLC as a full time physician in Altoona PA, as of June 1st 2023. Feel free to call our office with any scheduling inquires/questions!
Keeping the toes, feet, and ankles strong and flexible can improve balance, reduce pain and help prevent injury. Toe curls are easy to do by picking up a towel with your toes. Ankle circles help improve range of motion and can be done seated or lying down. Pointing and flexing the foot gently stretches tight muscles. Rolling the sole of the foot over a ball can ease soreness and improve blood flow. Calf raises strengthen the lower leg and support the ankle. These exercises are helpful for people with flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or anyone recovering from a foot injury. They take just a few minutes a day and can make a big difference in comfort and mobility. If you have ongoing pain or stiffness in your feet, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact John Horlebein, DPM from Northern Cascades Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Exercise for Your Feet
Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.
Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual.
Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Chelan, WA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, occur when the skin on the heels becomes dry, thickened, and eventually splits. This condition often results from a lack of moisture and pressure on the fat pad under the heel, causing the skin to expand and crack. Symptoms of cracked heels include dry, rough skin, visible splits or fissures, pain while walking, and, in severe cases, bleeding or infection. Risk factors for developing cracked heels include prolonged standing, walking barefoot, wearing open-backed shoes, obesity, and certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Additionally, environmental factors such as cold weather and low humidity can also contribute to this condition. If you have developed painful cracked heels, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief remedies, which may include prescribed medication.
If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact John Horlebein, DPM from Northern Cascades Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Cracked Heels
It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.
Ways to Help Heal Them
Invest in a good foot cream
Try Using Petroleum Jelly
Ease up on Soaps
Drink Plenty of Water
Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels
Moisturize After Showering
Skip a Shower
Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
Don’t Scrub Your Feet
If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Chelan, WA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe as the top of toe to angles inward toward the other smaller toes. This deformity often results from inherited foot structure, wearing improper footwear, or medical conditions like arthritis. Over time, bunions can lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. When conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms, bunion surgery may be recommended to correct the alignment and relieve discomfort. Recovery from bunion surgery involves rest, elevation, and wearing a special shoe to protect the foot during healing. Swelling may last for several weeks, and, with proper care, most individuals can return to normal activities. If you have a bunion that is causing you pain, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can determine if this type of foot surgery is right for you.
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
Cosmetic reconstruction
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Bunionectomy for painful bunions
Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Chelan, WA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
