Research reveals that nearly half of recreational runners sustain injuries, often affecting the Achilles tendon, calf, knee, ankle, lower leg, feet, and toes. Various factors contribute to injury risk, including running mechanics, footwear, and abrupt mileage increases. Fortunately, effective strategies exist to prevent running injuries before they disrupt your routine. It is essential to understand that injury prevention is complex, with factors like anatomy, history of injuries, and training methods playing roles. Each runner is unique, possessing distinct anatomical traits and injury histories, making injury prevention a challenging task. To reduce injury risk, experts recommend focusing on building a strong body, maintaining proper form, and choosing suitable footwear. Achieving a balance among these factors can significantly lower the likelihood of injuries, ensuring a rewarding and injury-free running experience. It is also advisable to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for personalized advice on preventing running injuries.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of the podiatrists of Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Tarsal coalition, which affects approximately one in every 100 people, emerges during adolescence, causing pain and stiffness in the foot. The issue arises when certain tarsal bones fuse or abnormally connect. This leads to a rigid and inflexible region that includes the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, navicular, and cuneiform bones of the foot. The most common types are calcaneonavicular and talocalcaneal coalition, where bridges form between the calcaneus and navicular bones, or between the calcaneus and talus. Three categories of tarsal coalition are osseus coalition, which involves bony growth, cartilaginous coalition which affects cartilage growth, and fibrous coalition which consists of fibrous tissue growth. Causes of tarsal coalition include genetic abnormalities and foot trauma, such as fractures or sprains, which can disrupt connective tissue development. This may lead to abnormal growth and fusion. Infections that weaken foot structures may cause inflammation, further disrupting normal tissue development. Arthritis, especially certain types and associated medications, increase the risk of abnormal growth and fusion in the foot. Understanding the types and causes is important for early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. For those experiencing persistent foot pain or suspecting tarsal coalition, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and effective management. 

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of the podiatrists of Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Heel pain, a prevalent discomfort that can significantly impede mobility, stems from various underlying factors. One frequent culprit is plantar fasciitis, marked by inflammation of the thick tissue connecting the heel to the toes. This condition often results from excessive strain, causing stabbing pain near the heel, especially during the first steps in the morning. Achilles tendonitis, another common source of heel pain, occurs when the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel becomes inflamed, leading to discomfort and stiffness. Heel spurs, bony protrusions at the base of the heel, can develop due to prolonged inflammation, sometimes causing pain. Additionally, stress fractures, often linked to overuse or repetitive impact, can manifest as localized heel pain. Understanding these diverse causes is pivotal in addressing heel pain effectively. If you have heel pain for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you helpful treatment remedies.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of the podiatrists of Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. 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 our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flat feet, or fallen arches, are a common condition where the arches of the feet collapse, causing the entire sole to touch the ground. Recognizing the symptoms of flat feet is essential for understanding and addressing this condition. One prevalent sign is pain or discomfort along the inner side of the ankle and arch. Individuals with flat feet may also experience swelling along the inside of the ankle. The lack of a visible arch when standing or walking is a visual indicator of flat feet. Overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively, can contribute to this condition and lead to related issues, including shin splints or knee pain. Fatigue and aching in the feet and legs can occur, especially after prolonged standing. If you have flat feet, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can provide you with effective relief options.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of the podiatrists from Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot stress fractures, prevalent among runners, are primarily attributed to overuse, constituting 80 percent of cases. The repetitive forces during running may cause microscopic bone damage, escalating into hairline fractures if adequate recovery time is not provided. Sudden increases in running volume, intensity, or frequency, common in the overtraining syndrome, can make it worse. Running form also plays a role, especially with those who have a pronounced heel strike. However, transitioning abruptly to a forefoot strike or wearing minimal footwear can similarly increase the risk of metatarsal stress fractures. Nutrition is a vital factor in preventing stress fractures of the feet. Low vitamin D levels, specifically during winter, elevate the risk of stress fractures. Runners, especially women, face heightened risk if conditions such as osteoporosis or menstrual cycle-related amenorrhea are present. Additionally, sudden changes in running surfaces, such as switching from trails to roads without proper training, can elevate the risk. Wearing proper footwear is equally as important. Old, ill-fitting shoes that lack proper support can increase bone stress. Balancing training intensity, adopting gradual changes in running techniques, maintaining a nutritious diet, and ensuring proper footwear are key components of a comprehensive approach to foot health and injury prevention. For help in managing foot stress fractures, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of the podiatrists from Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors 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 offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.