August 2021

Research has shown there are simple methods  that may help to prevent running injuries. Many runners do not implement stretching techniques into their running routine, despite the fact that it can help avoid an injury from occurring. Another common error many runners can make is increasing speed and mileage too soon. Running experts advise to increase running mileage by ten percent each week, as this can help to adequately prepare the body for maximum performance. It is important to stretch properly, followed by cooling down after running is completed. If you would like additional information about how running injuries can affect the feet, and how to prevent them, please consult with a podiatrist. 

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 the podiatrists of Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors 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 Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel pain can be one of the most debilitating foot related issues, and can come from a variety of sources. While plantar fasciitis is heel pain’s most common cause, a bruised heel is another common source. A bruised heel is an overuse injury that occurs when the fat pad which protects the heel bone gets a contusion. Usually, the fat, which acts as a shock absorber, gets displaced towards the side of the heel bone and leaves a thinner protective layer of fat under the bone. Bruised heels are usually a result of overuse in activities that have a heavy landing such as long distance running or walking. Wearing shoes with hard flat soles, running too intensely without warming up, or wearing shoes that are worn out can also lead to a bruised heel. Because the symptoms of a bruised heel are similar to that of plantar fasciitis, patients who are experiencing heel pain should consult with a podiatrist in order to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact the podiatrists of Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which blood flow to the lower limbs is inadequate. This typically occurs due to plaque buildup along the artery walls, which causes them to narrow and harden and restricts the amount of blood flow that can travel to the legs. Sometimes, people who have developed PAD do not experience any symptoms. Others however, may notice a tight, aching, or squeezing pain in the calves, leg cramps when walking, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty walking and balancing. When PAD progresses, symptoms like coldness or numbness in the lower limbs, leg and foot pain at rest, and slowly healing wounds may appear. A podiatrist can help you manage PAD and its effects on your feet and ankles. For more information about this condition please consult with a podiatrist. 

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with the podiatrists  from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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

The cuboid bone is one of seven tarsal bones that is found in each foot. Cuboid syndrome is a condition that is a result of an injury that has happened to the joints and ligaments that surround this bone. The pain and discomfort that is associated with this ailment occurs in the middle of the foot, and possibly at the bottom of the fourth and fifth toes. This can develop gradually from overuse, or from a sudden injury. Some patients experience specific symptoms with Cuboid syndrome, including difficulty in walking, swelling, and there may be a reduced range of motion. Research has indicated that dancers and athletes may be prone to enduring this condition, and this can be a result of the intensity of their chosen sport. If you have pain in the middle of the foot, it may be linked to Cuboid syndrome, and it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you correct treatment options.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with the podiatrists  from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Whether you are heading out for a quick day hike or plan on camping and hiking for a few days, there are measures that can be implemented to ensure that your feet are up to the task. One of the most common conditions that can wreak havoc on the feet during a hike is developing an ingrown toenail. Having long toenails can cause discomfort, but cutting the nails too short and having them grow into the skin can be excruciating. The best advice to help prevent ingrown toenails is to cut the toenails straight across and not too short before you even leave for a hike. The next step is to make sure that your shoes or hiking boots fit properly by ensuring the back of the heel sits tight to the back of the shoe, but the toes can still wiggle. Once hiking, any discomfort to the feet should be addressed right away. This can be accomplished by changing socks and bandaging any areas that may be forming blisters. After the hike it is important not to pop any blisters on the feet in order to reduce the risk of infection. If you have questions about keeping your feet healthy during your next hike or camping trip, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact the podiatrists from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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