March 2022

A bursa sac is a fluid-filled membrane that cushions and reduces friction between bones and tendons, as well as between muscles and joints. There are bursae throughout the body. The bursa sac at the back of the foot (behind the ankle) is meant to cushion and reduce friction between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone. By not warming up properly, doing repetitive movements with your ankle, or overusing the heel during physical activities, you may cause this bursa to become irritated. This condition, known as bursitis of the heel, can also be brought on by certain forms of arthritis or direct impact injuries. Symptoms may include heel pain, inflammation, stiffness, redness and warmth in the bursa area, as well as decreased motion in the ankle. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is wise to make an appointment with a podiatrist. This form of bursitis can be treated with various conservative therapies such as resting, icing, therapeutic ultrasound, anti-inflammatory medicine, physical therapy, custom orthotics, and changes in footwear.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Michael Metyk, DPM of Florida. Our doctor 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 our office located in Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The plantar fascia is a strong supportive tissue that runs under the arch of the foot, connecting the heel to the base of the toes. It helps distribute weight evenly across the foot which enables us to walk and run with ease. If the plantar fascia gets stretched or stressed excessively, it can become painful and inflamed. This condition is known as plantar fasciitis. Certain factors that contribute to this condition include wearing shoes that don’t support or cushion the feet properly, having low or high arches, being obese, increasing the intensity of workouts abruptly or exercising on a hard surface, standing for prolonged periods of time, and old age. In addition to creating heel pain which usually is at its worst in the morning or after periods of rest, plantar fasciitis can increase the likelihood of calcium deposits forming on the heel bone (heel spurs). Podiatrists have a great deal of experience treating plantar fasciitis as it is the most common form of heel pain. Reach out to a podiatrist if you believe you have plantar fasciitis to get on the road to recovery.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Michael Metyk, DPM  from Florida. 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?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

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 Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The tarsal navicular bone helps connect the ankle to other bones that are lower in the foot. This bone gets its nautical sounding name because it has a shape that is like a small boat. The navicular bone helps form and stabilize the arch and helps us walk efficiently. Kohler’s Disease is a rare bone disorder in which the navicular bone experiences a loss of blood supply and density, causing the bone to weaken and be susceptible to compression from other bones in the foot. This can affect some children typically aged 3-7, and it most commonly occurs in boys. The symptoms a child may experience with Kohler’s Disease include pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness in the middle of the foot. While this disorder may sound scary, the prognosis is usually good: Kohler’s Disease generally corrects itself as the child matures. Until that time, the child may compensate for the discomfort they are feeling by walking on the outside of the affected foot. If you see your child walking like this or even limping, it is wise to take them to a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis. If their findings indicate that your child has Kohler’s Disease, the podiatrist can help treat the disorder and provide relief through techniques such as casting, anti-inflammatory medications, custom orthotics and special supportive footwear.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Michael Metyk, DPM of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

When you feel pain on the outside of your foot, just in front of the ankle, you may have strained the peroneal tendon, which connects the base of the 5th metatarsal bone to the peroneus brevis leg muscle. This injury, often the result of a twisted ankle or other sudden force to the ankle, can result in pain and swelling. It will likely hurt when you try to walk. It is often caused when your foot rolls inward and stretches the tendon on the outside of your foot. The peroneus brevis muscle frequently gets tighter when running, especially on hard roads, increasing the likelihood of it being overstretched. Immediate treatment options include icing the foot to reduce swelling and inflammation, staying off the foot, and taking over-the-counter pain medication. If after a couple of days, the pain continues or worsens, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can examine your foot and suggest further treatment options, based on the severity of the injury.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with Michael Metyk, DPM from Florida. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

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

Runners understand the joy the sport brings, however, they are also aware of the possible pain that can come with the activity as well. About 70 percent of all runners injure themselves each year. They may run too fast, too far, or too soon after a previous injury. Luckily, a number of simple guidelines can keep runners on the move. If you are new to running, it’s wise to take it in phases that include walk-run activity. Try not to increase your activity more than 10 percent a week, and try to avoid running more than 45 miles per week, because after that distance, injury is more likely to occur. It’s important to listen to your feet and avoid running through pain. Give your feet and legs a chance to heal before renewing activity. Find running shoes that fit your feet well and cushion your heels, and get new ones after 500 miles. Finally, there are a number of stretching and strengthening exercises you can do to help avoid injuries. If you run consistently, it’s a good idea to plan regular visits with a podiatrist, who can examine your feet, identify any problems, and make custom orthotics as needed. 

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 Michael Metyk, DPM of Florida. Our doctor 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 our office located in Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.