Many people love wearing stilettos but certainly not the pain that comes with them. The repercussions of wearing high heels extend beyond aching feet. According to experts, consistently wearing the wrong type of heels can take a toll on your feet, ankles, knees, and back. The pressure on the forefoot intensifies as you elevate the heel, leading to metatarsalgia, a painful joint condition in the ball of the foot. Chronic metatarsalgia can result in stress fractures. Research indicates  that reducing heel height can significantly alleviate foot pressure. While three inch heels place 76 percent of the weight on the forefoot, opting for two inch heels decreases it to 57 percent, and one inch heels further reduce it to 22 percent. The Achilles tendon, vital for foot movement, faces strain as wearing high heels may cause excessive shortening. This stress can extend to the plantar fascia, resulting in plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that affects the heel and arch. In addition, studies show that initial ankle muscle strengthening from wearing heels regularly diminishes over time, leaving women susceptible to the risk of falls and ankle sprains. For help with managing foot and ankle problems caused by wearing high heels, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Steven Black, DPM from California . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

Foot surgery is a decision often made with the goal of alleviating persistent discomfort and enhancing overall foot health. One common reason to have foot surgery is the correction of structural abnormalities, such as bunions or hammertoes, which can cause pain and affect mobility. Surgical intervention may also be necessary to address severe cases of conditions like plantar fasciitis, where conservative treatments have proven insufficient. Removal of painful growths or deformities, such as cysts or bone spurs, is another motive for foot surgery. Injuries, such as fractures or torn ligaments, may require surgical repair to restore normal function. In some cases, joint fusion or replacement becomes a viable option for advanced arthritis. Surgical procedures tailored to specific needs can significantly improve quality of life, reduce pain, and restore mobility, allowing individuals to step into a future with greater comfort and functionality. If you have a specific foot condition and are considering surgery, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you determine if this is a correct decision for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Steven Black, DPM of California . Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Ingrown toenails can be a painful and persistent issue, usually affecting the big toe and causing discomfort, inflammation, and sometimes bleeding. An ingrown toenail often results from wearing tight shoes, foot injuries, genetics, or poor foot care. When the curved edges of the nail pierce into the surrounding skin, pressure builds up, leading to pain, inflammation, tenderness, and redness. Beyond conservative treatments, there are two primary surgical methods for treatment, which are referred to as partial nail avulsion and total nail avulsion. Both are conducted under local anesthesia. Partial nail avulsion involves removing a portion of the nail, known as a wedge resection. The procedure trims one or both edges of the nail to make it narrower and give it a straight edge. This ingrown toenail treatment takes approximately 30 minutes and has a high success rate. With total nail avulsion, the entire nail is removed. This procedure is often reserved for those with recurrent issues or who are unresponsive to other less invasive ingrown toenail treatments. Proactive toenail care and early intervention are key to addressing ingrown toenails effectively. To manage an exceedingly painful or infected ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, in addition to determining if surgery is best for you.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Steven Black, DPM of California . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Podiatry, a specialized branch of medicine, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and conditions related to the feet and lower extremities. A podiatrist, also known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM, is a healthcare professional who specializes in caring for the health and well-being of the feet. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of conditions, including foot and ankle injuries, diabetes-related foot problems, and structural issues. To become a podiatrist, one typically follows a rigorous educational path. This begins with completing a bachelor's degree, followed by enrollment in a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM program, which is a four-year professional degree program. After earning the DPM degree, aspiring podiatrists typically undergo a residency program to gain hands-on experience in various clinical settings. Podiatrists then can choose to pursue board certification in a specific area of podiatric medicine, such as surgery or sports medicine, to further specialize in their field. If you have foot or ankle problems or are interested in pursuing podiatry as a career path, it is suggested that you speak with this type of doctor.

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact Steven Black, DPM from California . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

• Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
• Use innovative methods to treat conditions
• Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
• Correct walking patterns and balance
• Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. It is caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that thrives in warm and moist environments. This condition can be uncomfortable, and if left untreated, it may lead to more serious complications. Athlete's foot is primarily caused by fungi that invade the dead outer layers of the skin. Common factors that contribute to the development of athlete's foot can include wearing poorly ventilated shoes, sweaty feet, contact with contaminated surfaces, and sharing footwear. Symptoms of athlete's foot often include scaling and peeling of the skin, especially in the toe webs, itching, or odor. The infection may also affect the soles of the feet, leading to redness, blistering, and peeling along the sides and soles. In advanced cases, there may be severe itching, a foul odor, painful cracking between the toes, and oozing. Symptoms, such as redness and swelling, areas of pus, or severe pain, may indicate a more serious infection that requires immediate medical attention to prevent further complications. For help managing athlete’s foot infections, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

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 Steven Black, DPM from California . 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:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

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:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

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 Lancaster, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.