Runners are prone to foot and ankle injuries due to repetitive impact, improper footwear, or overtraining. Common issues include sprains, tendonitis, and stress fractures that can disrupt training and daily activities. Preventing running injuries begins with wearing supportive shoes, gradually increasing mileage, and incorporating strengthening and stretching exercises. The calf stretch improves flexibility in the Achilles tendon, while the figure four stretch helps release tension in the feet and ankles. These exercises promote stability and reduce the risk of injury. If you have endured a foot or ankle injury while running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can assess your gait, recommend custom orthotics, and design a personalized recovery plan. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM of Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor 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 office located in Las Vegas, Nevada . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

For those who work on their feet all day, wearing the right shoes is essential for comfort, safety, and overall health. Proper footwear offers stability and cushioning while providing the only interaction between your body and the ground. Shoes with safety features, such as slip-resistant soles and arch support, help prevent injuries and fatigue. Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to foot problems like plantar fasciitis, calluses, and lower back pain. A podiatrist can evaluate your feet, recommend supportive footwear, and provide custom orthotics for added relief. If you have developed foot pain during your work day, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions and guide you on the proper shoes to wear for optimum foot health.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Las Vegas, Nevada . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle popping can occur for several reasons, including crepitus, which is the grinding or crackling sound from joint surfaces, or the harmless release of gas bubbles within joint fluid. It may also result from tendons moving over bone or past injuries that have weakened the joint. Strengthening exercises such as calf raises, resistance band stretches, and balance training can improve stability and reduce popping. A podiatrist can assess whether ankle popping is normal or a sign of an underlying condition, provide targeted exercise plans, and recommend treatments, if necessary. If ankle popping is accompanied by pain or instability, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist  to restore strength, improve mobility, and protect your ankle health.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. 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 tendonitis
• 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 office located in Las Vegas, Nevada . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you are overweight, or wear high heeled/narrow-toed shoes, you may be more at risk for developing Morton’s Neuroma. Morton’s Neuroma is a non-cancerous thickening of the nerve between toes, usually the 3rd and 4th toes, which causes tingling, burning, inflammation and irritation. As the thickened nerve expands, it becomes further irritated by the surrounding bones and ligaments it comes in contact with. Morton’s Neuroma—also known as interdigital neuroma, intermetatarsal neuroma, and forefoot neuroma—typically occurs in only one foot and is more common in women than men. If you experience pain or feel as if a pebble is stuck in the ball of your foot, contact a podiatrist for proper treatment.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM of Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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