Ainsley Roberson Rusevlyan, DPM
(252) 946-1181Washington, NC
People who have endured an Achilles tendon injury are often not mistaken about it. A common sign is an immediate pain and discomfort, and it can be extremely difficult to walk. It can happen as a result of increasing running speed and mileage too quickly, and this type of injury can fall into two categories. Noninsertional Achilles tendinitis affects the middle of the tendon, and younger people are prone to developing this type of injury. The lower part of the tendon is affected where it attaches to the heel bone during insertional Achilles tendinitis and can affect people of all ages. Additional symptoms can include heel and calf pain, and there can be a limited range of motion. Some people develop Achilles tendon injuries from not warming up or cooling down properly, in addition to wearing shoes that do not fit properly. This is an injury that needs prompt medical attention for a complete recovery so it is suggested that a podiatrist be contacted who can guide you toward the best treatment techniques.
Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Ainsley Rusevlyan, DPM of InStride Roberson Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
Rupture Symptoms
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Washington, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body; it is a tough band of fibrous tissue that stretches from the bones of the heel to the calf muscles. This tendon is what allows us to stand on our toes while running, walking, or jumping, it is common for this tendon to become injured. In severe cases, the Achilles tendon may become partially torn or completely ruptured. However, this tendon is susceptible to injury because of its limited blood supply and the high tensions it endures.
The people who are more likely to suffer from Achilles tendon injuries are athletes who partake in activities that require them to speed up, slow down, or pivot. Consequently, athletes who engage in running, gymnastics, dance, football, baseball, basketball, or tennis are more likely to suffer from Achilles tendon injuries. Additionally, there are other factors that may make you more prone to this injury. People who wear high heels, have flat feet, have tight leg muscles or tendons, or take medicines called glucocorticoids are more likely to have Achilles tendon injuries.
A common symptom of an Achilles tendon injury is pain above the heel that is felt when you stand on your toes. However, if the tendon is ruptured, the pain will be severe, and the area may become swollen and stiff. Other symptoms may be reduced strength in the lower ankle or leg area, and reduced range of motion in the ankle. When the Achilles tendon tears, there is usually a popping sound that occurs along with it. People who have acute tears or ruptures may find walking and standing to be difficult.
If you suspect you have injured your Achilles tendon, you should see your podiatrist to have a physical examination. Your podiatrist will likely conduct a series of tests to diagnose your injury including a “calf-squeeze” test. Calf squeeze tests are performed by first squeezing the calf muscle on the healthy leg. This will pull on the tendon and consequently cause the foot to move. Afterward, the same test will be performed on the injured leg. If the tendon is torn, the foot won’t move because the calf muscle won’t be connected to the foot.
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
A hammertoe gets its name from a deformity of the toe that has the appearance of a hammer. The deformed toe gets curled because of a bend that occurs in the middle joint of the affected toe. This often happens due to wearing improperly fitting footwear, such as high heels or shoes that do not have sufficient room in the toe box. The toes are forced to move into a space that is too small or that does not allow for them to lie flat comfortably. This process causes the muscles to tighten and tendons to contract. Other factors that can cause hammertoes include genetics, a broken toe, a sedentary lifestyle, and diseases that inhibit blood flow to the foot. The affected toe(s) may become painful to move and, due to their odd positions, might rub against the inside of shoes causing corns and calluses to form. Often changing footwear and getting orthotics is enough to relieve pain, but if that does not help or the toe has become inflexible or rigid, surgery might be required. Risks of hammertoe surgery include pain and swelling at the site of the operation. If the pain radiates to other parts of the foot, the surgery may have caused nerve damage. Other complications can be numbness, limited range of motion, and infection. The surgery and side effects often depend on the severity of the condition. If you have a hammertoe, it is advised that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible. Tending to this early may help prevent the need for surgery and any complications that could arise.
Hammertoe
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Ainsley Rusevlyan, DPM from InStride Roberson Footcare. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
Causes
Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Washington, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Hammertoes are painful deformities that frequently form on the second, third, or fourth toe. The condition is often caused by an issue in foot mechanics. This can be caused by the person’s specific gait or the manner in which they walk, or by shoes that do not comfortably fit the deformity. Hammertoes can be formed after wearing shoes that are too narrow or short for the foot or have excessively high heels. Shoes that are not properly sized will force the toes into a bent position for long periods of time. This can cause the muscles to shorten and toes to bend into the deformity of a hammertoe.
Hammertoe can also be caused by complications from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, trauma to the foot, heredity, or a cerebral vascular accident. Pain and difficult mobility of the toes, deformities, calluses, and corns are all symptoms of a hammertoe.
Someone who suspects they have the symptoms of a hammertoe should consult with a physician—particularly a podiatrist. Podiatrists diagnose and treat complications of the foot and ankle. If the podiatrist discovers that the affected toes are still flexible, treatment for the hammertoe may simply involve exercise, physical therapy, and better-fitting shoes. Treatment for hammertoes typically involves controlling foot mechanics, such as walking, through the use of customized orthotics.
For more serious cases in which the toes have become inflexible and rigid, surgery may be suggested. During the operation, the toe would receive an incision to relieve pressure on the tendons. A re-alignment of the tendons may then be performed by removing small pieces of bone to straighten the toe. In some cases, the insertion of pins is needed to keep the bones in the proper position as the toe heals. The patient is usually allowed to return home on the same day as the surgery.
If surgery is performed to repair a hammertoe, following the postoperative directions of your doctor is essential. Directions may include several stretches, picking up marbles with your toes, or attempting to crumple a towel placed flat against your feet. Wear shoes that have low heels and a wide amount of toe space to maintain comfort. Closed-toe shoes and high heels should be avoided. Shoes with laces allow the wearer to adjust how fitted he or she may want the shoes to be and also allow for greater comfort. To provide adequate space for your toes, select shoes that have a minimum of one-half inch of space between the tip of your longest toe and the inside of the shoe. This will also relieve pressure on your toes and prevent future hammertoes from forming.
Other preventative measures that can be taken include going shopping for new shoes in the middle of the day. Your feet are its smallest in the morning and swell as the day progresses. Trying on and purchasing new shoes midday will give you the most reliable size. Be sure to check that the shoes you purchase are both the same size. If possible, ask the store to stretch out the shoes at its painful points to allow for optimum comfort.
The foot condition known as athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and many people are embarrassed at how their feet look when they are afflicted with this ailment. It is caused by a fungus that lives in warm and moist environments including shower room floors, public swimming pools, and locker rooms. The fungus can invade the body through small cracks in the skin on the feet and initial symptoms of athlete’s foot can consist of itchiness and redness. It is suggested to wear appropriate shoes while in these types of areas as this may help to control the spread of athlete's foot. It is a contagious foot condition, and it is suggested that towels, shoes, and socks should not be shared. The symptoms of untreated athlete’s foot may gradually worsen and if you suffer from this ailment, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment methods.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Ainsley Rusevlyan, DPM from InStride Roberson Footcare. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.
Prevention
The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:
Symptoms
Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Washington, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It is caused when the tinea fungus grows on the foot. It is possible to catch the fungus through direct contact with someone who has it or by touching a surface that is contaminated with it. This type of fungus thrives in warm, moist environments such as showers, locker room floors, and swimming pools. Your risk of getting it may also increase by wearing tight-fitting, closed-toe shoes, or by having sweaty feet.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, stinging or burning sensations between the toes. You may also experience toenails that are discolored, thick, crumbly, or toenails that pull away from the nail bed.
Your podiatrist may diagnose athlete’s foot by detecting these symptoms or by doing a skin test to see if there is a fungal infection present. The most common exam used to detect Athlete’s foot is a skin lesion potassium hydroxide exam. To use this method, your doctor will scrape off a small area of the infected skin and place it into potassium hydroxide. The potassium hydroxide will destroy the normal cells and leave the fungal cells untouched so that they are visible under a microscope.
There are a variety of treatment options for athlete’s foot. Some medications are miconazole (Desenex), terbinafine (Lamisil AT), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra), and tolnaftate (Tinactin). While these options may be able to treat your fungus, it is best that you consult with a podiatrist in order to see which treatment option may work best for you.
In some cases, Athlete’s foot may lead to complications. A severe complication would be a secondary bacterial infection which may cause your foot to become swollen, painful, and hot.
There are ways that you can prevent athlete’s foot. Washing your feet with soap and water each day and drying them thoroughly is an effective way to prevent infections. You also shouldn’t share socks, shoes, or towels with other people. It is crucial that you wear shower sandals in public showers, around swimming pools, and in other public places. Additionally, you should make sure you wear shoes that can breathe and change your socks when your feet become sweaty. If you suspect that you have Athlete’s foot, you should seek help from a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you are a runner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the importance of selecting the right kind of running shoe. While shopping for your first pair of running shoes on the internet might be convenient and fast, you may consider shopping for that first pair in an actual store. When visiting a store (such as a specialty running shop), it might be possible for you to receive a gait analysis, which can help you identify exactly what features your shoes should have. Additionally, since selecting the right running shoe is all about finding the correct fit, being physically in the store can make it easier for you to try on a variety of different sizes that first time. This can also help you identify which brands of running shoes tend to run smaller or larger compared to others. Lastly, shopping in the actual store will enable you to take any orthotics that you use with you and try them out in potential running shoes. If you have any more questions about picking running shoes, contact a podiatrist.
If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Ainsley Rusevlyan, DPM from InStride Roberson Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Washington, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Running may seem like a simple to do. However, running is actually a complex movement that puts stress on the ligaments, bones, and joints of the body. Selecting the correct running shoe is important for increasing performance and avoiding risk of injury. Running shoes should be selected based on your foot type. Considerations such as trail versus road shoes are important. Your foot type dictates the degree of cushioning, stability and motion control you require. The most accurate way to learn your foot type is to visit a local shop that specializes in running shoes. Professionals can measure your arch type, stride and gait and help you with your shoe needs.
The design of running shoes is created around the idea of pronation. Pronation is the natural rolling movement of your ankle from the outside to inside when your foot strikes the ground. If you run properly you strike the ground on the outside of your heel and roll in the direction of your big toe before pushing off once more. Pronation is beneficial because it assists the lower half of your body in absorbing shock and storing energy. Those considered neutral runners pronate correctly and do not need running shoes that help correct their form. Neutral runners can choose from a wide variety of shoes, including barefoot or minimal types. However, those who have arch problems or who adopt an incorrect form while running may experience too much or too little pronation. They may require running shoes that offer additional support.
Those who overpronate experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling. Even while standing, those who severely overpronate display ankles that are angled inward. It is not uncommon for them to have flat feet or curved legs. The tendency to overpronate may cause many injuries. Areas that tend to become injured are the knees, ankles, and Achilles tendon. If you find that you have a tendency to overpronate, you should look at shoes that provide extra stability and motion-control. Motion-control shoes are straight and firm. Shoes of this type do not curve at the tip. The restricted flexibility along the middle of the shoe prohibits the foot from rolling too far inward as your foot strikes the ground.
A less common problem is underpronation. Underpronation, also called supination, is when the feet are unable to roll inward during landing. Those who underpronate have feet that lack flexibility and high arches. This prevents any kind of shock absorption, even though it does place less rotational stress on ankles and knees. This added force can cause fractures, ligament tears, and muscle strains because the legs are trying to compensate for the impact. Those who underpronate need shoes with more cushioning and flexibility. If you have a tendency to underpronate, selecting stability or motion-control shoes may cause you more problems by continuing to prevent pronation.
Plantar fasciitis is a very common foot condition that affects a wide variety of individuals across the country. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot, becomes aggravated and inflamed due to repeated pressure and strain. Although plantar fasciitis causes pain that is primarily in the arch and heel of the foot, pain can sometimes feel like it is emanating to other areas such as the ankle. Plantar fasciitis can be confused with a ruptured plantar fascia. Although both conditions involve the plantar fascia, plantar fasciitis is defined by micro-tears to this band of tissue, as opposed to the more significant tears involved in a ruptured plantar fascia. Additionally, plantar fasciitis is often confused with the entrapment of the nerves. For example, when the tibial nerve becomes pinched, sensations of pain can be felt in the soles of the feet in a way that is similar to plantar fasciitis. One of the distinguishing factors, however, is that tingling and numbness can be felt in the soles of the feet with a pinched tibial nerve. If you are having difficulty determining whether or not your pain is due to plantar fasciitis or another condition, contact a podiatrist who can perform a proper diagnosis.
Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Ainsley Rusevlyan, DPM from InStride Roberson Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
How Can It Be Treated?
While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Washington, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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