Items filtered by date: April 2023

Many individuals may wonder why their feet are often so ticklish and sensitive. The answer is slightly complicated. Essentially, the feet have a significantly high amount of nerve endings. In fact, there are approximately 8,000 nerve endings throughout the feet. Importantly, in each of these nerve endings are receptors for touch and other sensations. The distance between the nerve ending and the outside of the skin is sometimes very small. Therefore, the feet can often be more ticklish than other parts of the body. Interestingly, the degree to which one is ticklish can often vary from person to person. It is important to note that the ticklish sensation itself is thought to be a kind of involuntary response to stimuli. If you want to learn more about what makes the feet ticklish, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for additional information and treatment options.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

Many runners, dancers, and other athletes develop stress fractures in the feet. This injury occurs when the force on the bone is greater than its ability to adapt. The result is a hairline crack in the bone. The most common location of stress fractures in the feet is the metatarsal bones. These are the long bones of the feet that connect the toes to the midfoot. The 2nd and 3rd metatarsals are most often affected, accounting for a third of stress fractures in feet and ankles. The heel bone, called the calcaneus, is the second most common location of foot stress fractures. Stress fractures are often the result of overtraining, such as increasing running speed, distance, or intensity too quickly. One of the main problems of developing stress fractures is the difficulty in diagnosing them. They are hard to detect through X-rays and can easily be thought of simply as sore feet, at first. To see if you have developed stress fractures, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a complete exam and diagnosis. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. 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 Metropolis and Eldorado, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The result of practicing a good everyday foot care routine can improve the skin on the feet, in addition to possibly providing a general sense of well being. The feet endure the weight of the body, and they are often the most neglected area when engaging in self-care. Cold winter months may cause the skin on the feet to flake or crack, and using a good moisturizer may restore the oils in the skin. The skin can soften when they are soaked in warm water with Epsom salt, and the feet can be exfoliated as they are rubbed together. It is beneficial to trim the toenails to the desired length, and this can prep the nails to be polished. The feet can feel better when the correct size shoes and socks are worn and gentle toe stretches are performed. If you have questions and would like to learn about additional everyday foot care techniques, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. Our doctor 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 Metropolis and Eldorado, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Podiatrists are medical professionals that specialize in maintaining the health of patient’s feet. They are trained in treating a wide range of different foot conditions. Some podiatrists can begin gaining their skills at their undergraduate institution through a pre-podiatry concentration. In these programs, an individual can prepare to be admitted into a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree program. Through this kind of concentration, an individual can learn more about biology and the sciences while conducting independent research projects. This is just one potential step along a podiatrist’s long journey to becoming a professional podiatrist. If you are someone that is struggling with the health of your feet, it is suggested that you seek out a podiatrist. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. 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 Metropolis and Eldorado, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.