There are 26 bones in each foot, accompanied by several joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. The feet comprise 25% of all the bones in the body, and it is important to practice everyday foot care that can benefit the entire body. The feet can be likened to a machine, and the muscles and joints can represent pulleys and levers that can move side to side and up and down. This is instrumental in walking, running, and completing everyday activities, and many people have considered the feet to be a “work of art." As the aging process occurs, the feet may start to wear and tear, and uncomfortable foot conditions may develop. Dry skin can possibly be reduced when a good moisturizer is used on them daily. Additionally, the chances of getting athlete’s foot and toenail fungus may decrease when appropriate shoes are worn in public swimming pool and locker room areas. It is beneficial to wear shoes that fit correctly, and this may help to prevent hammertoe and bunions from developing. Additionally, the feet will feel good at the end of the day when they are soaked in warm water and scented oil. For more information about everyday foot care tips, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with answers to any questions you may have.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact John Killough, DPM from Regional Foot Center. 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 our offices located in Charleston and Effingham, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Despite their stylish appeal and popularity during the warm summer months, flip-flops can present several threats to the health of your feet. Since flip-flops lack a back strap, the wearer must scrunch their toes to keep the shoe on the feet. These toe contortions can cause pain and complications. Additionally, since flip-flops are but mere pieces of flat foam, they offer little to no support. You might, therefore, experience increased stress on the heel when walking with flip-flops because they offer no padding or cushioning. One often overlooked downside of wearing flip-flops is the extent to which they can accumulate bacteria. Especially if worn in cities, flip-flops can accumulate many different kinds of bacteria both on the top and bottom of the foam. If worn in cities during warm months and rainy seasons, environmental moisture will only help the bacteria thrive. Since flip-flops are open toed shoes that ultimately expose your entire foot, this accumulation of bacteria can be especially dangerous to your feet. Contact your podiatrist who will be able to help you select healthy summer footwear.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact John Killough, DPM from Regional Foot Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

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

There are several troublesome rare diseases that can negatively impact the health of your feet. Although these conditions can be extremely rare, it is important for you to familiarize yourself with these afflictions in case you ever have to identify one of these conditions in yourself or a loved one. One rare condition that negatively impacts the feet is known as Maffucci syndrome, which has only impacted a total of 200 reported patients since its discovery. This syndrome produces a number of abnormalities in the skeleton that can manifest themselves in the feet. For example, people with Maffucci syndrome can experience enchondromas, which are cartilage tumors throughout the bones in their feet. Endochromas caused by Maffucci syndrome can also appear in the hands, ribs, and skull. Individuals suffering from Maffucci syndrome usually also experience some kind of abnormality in the skin. Namely, it is common for individuals to see hemangiomas, or clumps of blood vessels, throughout the skin and possibly on the feet. Maffucci syndrome undoubtedly is a rare condition, but you should be on the lookout for these symptoms. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, or would like to gather more information, it is suggested to speak to a podiatrist.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact John Killough, DPM of Regional Foot Center. Our doctor 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 Charleston and Effingham, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Tendons are tissues that connect bones to muscles. Two such tendons, the peroneal tendons and the posterior tibial tendons begin in the leg and travel down at the rear of the ankle before attaching to bones in the foot. They are instrumental in facilitating certain movements of the ankle and foot. They can also be responsible for causing ankle pain. The posterior tibial tendon connects the muscle in the back of the shin bone to the bones in the foot. This tendon can become injured due to overuse or trauma and cause pain that is felt on the inside of the ankle. The peroneal tendons connect certain calf muscles to the foot. They can become inflamed at the ankle joint behind the fibula bone due to trauma or overuse and cause swelling and tenderness, along with pain behind the ankle. Any kind of ankle pain should prompt a visit to the podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with John Killough, DPM from Regional Foot Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Fractures to the 5th metatarsal, or the pinky toe, are quite common. When the fracture occurs in the middle section of the metatarsal, it is known as a Jones fracture. The main cause is sudden force on the outside of the foot. A Jones fracture is common to athletes, dancers, and workers who stand for long periods. Men around 30, who are physically active, and women over 70, who may have osteoporosis, are more likely to sustain a Jones fracture as well. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and difficulty walking. Check for discoloration or a bump on the side of the foot that is not usually there. It is not always easy to detect a Jones fracture through an X-ray, and in many cases an MRI or other imaging test may be required. As Jones fractures typically do not heal rapidly, it might take months before you can resume normal activities. If you believe you have sustained a Jones fracture, it’s a good idea to see a podiatrist as soon as possible for an exam and diagnosis.  

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact John Killough, DPM from Regional Foot Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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