Items filtered by date: February 2025

Foot injuries are common, especially for those who are active runners, but many can be prevented with proper care and attention. Plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain, often results from overuse or inadequate footwear. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, typically from repetitive stress or tight calf muscles. Stress fractures in the foot can develop from overtraining or improper footwear, while shin splints cause pain along the shin due to overuse. Metatarsalgia refers to pain in the ball of the foot, often caused by high-impact activities. Preventing these foot injuries involves wearing appropriate footwear, warming up before running, strengthening the muscles, and avoiding overuse. Stretching, maintaining a healthy weight, and gradually increasing activity levels also help protect the feet from strain and injury. If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury from running, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional prevention tips.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Huydran Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

For restaurant workers, wearing the right shoes is essential for comfort, safety, and overall well-being. These workers often spend long hours on their feet, which can lead to foot pain, fatigue, and even long-term health issues if the shoes worn do not provide adequate support. Proper footwear with cushioning helps absorb shock, reducing the impact on the feet, knees, and lower back. Non-slip shoes are especially important in restaurants to prevent accidents from spills and slippery floors. Additionally, shoes that offer proper arch support and a good fit can prevent conditions like blisters, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. If you have developed foot pain from wearing the wrong shoes during the workday, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief tips, and guide you on the proper shoes to wear.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Huydran Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. 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 feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe. It occurs when the big toe moves toward the second toe, causing the joint to protrude and become misaligned. This misalignment can lead to pain, swelling, and redness around the affected area, making it difficult to wear certain shoes. Bunion formation is often gradual, and the condition can worsen over time without treatment. There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a bunion, including a family history of the condition, wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, and certain foot deformities. Additionally, women are more prone to bunions than men, likely due to the frequent wearing of high heels. Bunions can also develop as a result of arthritis or other medical conditions that affect the joints. If left untreated, bunions can cause difficulty walking and further joint damage.If you have any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and offer effective treatment solutions for bunions.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Huydran Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

Custom-made orthotics can be a powerful solution for easing foot pain caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, and diabetes. Both of these conditions can significantly affect foot health, leading to discomfort, deformities, and difficulty with mobility. For individuals with RA, custom orthotics help by providing targeted support to joints, reducing inflammation, and redistributing pressure away from areas of pain. This support can improve foot function and alleviate stress on the knees, hips, and lower back as well. For people with diabetes, foot health is essential due to potential nerve damage and poor circulation. Custom orthotics help by cushioning the feet, reducing friction, and preventing sores or ulcers that can be common in diabetic patients. They also assist in improving foot alignment, which can reduce pain caused by abnormal walking patterns. By offering tailored support, custom orthotics can improve comfort, enhance mobility, and promote overall foot health. If you have foot pain or either of the above conditions, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine which type of orthotics are right for you.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact Huydran Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

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