January 2023

The feet can swell up in size and shape when they experience poor circulation. However, other things may cause the feet to swell. Namely, experiencing some kind of bug bite may make the feet swell. It is very common during the warm summer months for people to get mosquito bites all over their bodies, especially on their feet. If you are experiencing swelling on the feet from a mosquito bite, there are several steps that you may consider taking. To reduce and mitigate the extent to which your feet are swelling, you might consider applying an ice pack for a short amount of time to the affected area. About 10 minutes of application time might be sufficient. Generally speaking, the mosquito bite might also be washed with soap and water. Getting a mosquito bite on the feet shouldn’t be taken lightly if there is significant swelling. Contact a podiatrist today to learn more. 

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Dean Kim, DPM of Greater Texas Foot & Ankle Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A hairline fracture that happens in the foot is known as a stress fracture. It can occur in one or more of the 26 bones in each foot and causes difficulty walking. A stress fracture happens gradually, and a common reason is from increasing speed and distance too quickly while running. After a proper diagnosis has been performed, which is generally done by having an MRI taken, treatment can begin. The foot has a better chance of making a complete recovery by keeping weight off of it, and crutches can be useful in accomplishing this. Many patients find it helpful to wrap the affected foot with an elastic bandage, which can help provide the necessary stability as the healing process occurs. If you have foot pain and think you may have a stress fracture, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can provide you with the correct medical treatment. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dean Kim, DPM from Greater Texas Foot & Ankle Specialist. 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 our office located in Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Arthritis often strikes the joint connecting the big toe to the ball of the foot and can cause significant pain. This affliction is more common as one ages and cartilage wears away between the bones. A surgery can be performed where the bones are fused together with metal plates, but this can limit the flexibility of the toe. Another option is a type of implant that can be inserted between the bones and can cushion the aching joint. Such an implant can be as small as a miniature marshmallow. It is made of saline solution and polyvinyl alcohol, like that used in soft contact lenses. This material compresses a bit under pressure, much like real cartilage. If you suffer from arthritis in the big toe, consult with a podiatrist to see if surgery is a treatment that is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dean Kim, DPM of Greater Texas Foot & Ankle Specialist. 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 Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rushing the healing process after spraining an ankle is unwise, according to experts. This is because if the ankle does not fully heal, it is much more likely to be sprained again. For this reason, using an ankle brace during the recovery period can be a good idea. The goal of wearing an ankle brace is to speed up the healing process while preventing further pain. There are three types to consider, based on the severity of the sprain. The first type, used in more severe cases, immobilizes the ankle while providing compression to keep swelling down. If you are healing from a more moderate sprain, you may wish to use a brace that eases up on compression but keeps the ankle from moving laterally. For a mild sprain, a lighter-weight brace is suggested, which still offers some support while it helps to stabilize the joint. For more information on the proper brace to use after an ankle sprain, please consult a podiatrist. 

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dean Kim, DPM from Greater Texas Foot & Ankle Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Early intervention is key to halting chronic foot problems in children. Issues that are common with children’s feet include flat feet, which describes the appearance of a foot that does not have a well-developed arch and the foot lays flat against the floor. While there are usually no symptoms of flat feet in kids, some children may complain of cramping, pain, and tenderness in the foot or leg. They might limp or exhibit an aversion to athletic activities and walking because they say their legs and feet get tired. It is important that parents do not automatically attribute a child’s foot pain to growing pains as it can be more serious. It is suggested that if your child says or shows they feel pain in their feet or legs, a podiatrist be consulted to do a thorough examination of the feet and rule out anything serious or structural abnormalities that might be helped with simple intervention techniques.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dean Kim, DPM of Greater Texas Foot & Ankle Specialist. 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 Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.