Items filtered by date: February 2025

Foot stress fractures and tendonitis are both common foot injuries, but they have distinct differences. A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse. It typically occurs in athletes or individuals who increase their physical activity suddenly. Symptoms of a stress fracture include localized pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons, often caused by overuse or wearing improper footwear. This condition leads to pain, swelling, and tenderness surrounding the affected tendon, usually felt during or after activity. While both conditions cause foot pain, a stress fracture will usually cause sharp, focused pain in the bone, while tendonitis presents with more diffuse pain around the tendon area. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Lauryn Smith-Winton, DPM from S.W. Podiatry Group. 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 our office located in Waldorf, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Feet can hurt while ice skating for several reasons, with the most common being improper fitting skates. If the skates are too tight or too loose, they can cause discomfort and pain by pressing on certain areas of the foot or not providing enough support. Poorly fitted skates may lead to blisters, pinched nerves, or restricted circulation, making skating a painful experience. Another factor is the lack of cushioning or support within the skate itself. Ice skating places a lot of pressure on the feet, especially during sharp turns or jumps. Inadequate arch support or lack of padding can result in soreness or fatigue. Additionally, the stiff structure of ice skates can sometimes cause muscles and tendons in the feet to tense up, leading to discomfort. Overuse or skating for long periods without taking breaks can also contribute to foot pain. If you enjoy ice skating and have foot pain, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can offer effective relief methods, in addition to tips on how to protect your feet while skating.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Lauryn Smith-Winton, DPM of S.W. Podiatry Group. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Waldorf, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Selecting the right running shoes for various distances is vital to ensure comfort, prevent injury, and improve performance. For shorter distances, such as sprints or 5Ks, lightweight shoes with more flexibility are ideal. These shoes offer quick responsiveness, allowing for fast foot turnover. For longer distances, like half-marathons or marathons, shoes with more cushioning provide extra support and shock absorption to reduce the impact on joints. Support is also essential, particularly for runners who experience overpronation or underpronation. Stability shoes help correct these issues, offering a more controlled stride and reducing the risk of injury. Cushioning should be balanced with support, ensuring that the shoe does not feel too soft or too firm, which can lead to discomfort. Additionally, flexibility plays a role in ensuring natural movement, especially for long-distance runners, as it helps maintain proper form and minimizes fatigue. If you have endured a foot or ankle injury from wearing the wrong running shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on what type of shoes to wear.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Lauryn Smith-Winton, DPM from S.W. Podiatry Group. 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.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Waldorf, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toe cramps can be uncomfortable and disruptive, but specific foot exercises can help alleviate this issue. One effective exercise is the shuffle, which involves moving the feet back and forth while standing. This helps improve circulation and flexibility in the toes. Another useful technique is the spin, where the toes are rotated in circles, allowing them to stretch and reduce tension. Toe pull-ups also provide relief by strengthening the muscles and improving mobility. To perform this, lift the toes upward while keeping the heel on the ground. Toe extensions are beneficial for stretching the toes, helping to relieve stiffness and prevent cramps. Simply extend the toes as far as possible while holding for a few seconds. Scrunchies involve curling the toes inward, as if gripping a small towel or cloth, and holding the position to strengthen the toe muscles. Toe cramps can be painful, and may cause difficulty in completing daily activities. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can help you to find appropriate relief methods.

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 Lauryn Smith-Winton, DPM from S.W. Podiatry Group. 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 Waldorf, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.