​How can you heal an Achilles tendonitis fast?
 
Treatment

1. Rest your leg. Avoid putting weight on your leg as best you can.  
2. Ice it.
3. Compress your leg.  
4. Raise (elevate) your leg as much as possible.
5. Take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Advil
6. Use a heel lift in your shoe
7. Practice stretching and strengthening exercises as recommended by your doctor, physical therapist, or other health care provider.

 
 
To learn more about Achilles tendonitis, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates. 
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.  

​What Is Stem Cell (Regenerative) Therapy?
A simple definition of a “stem cell” is a basic precursor cell capable of differentiating into tissues such as bone, cartilage, and muscle, in the case of mesenchymal stem cells. They also act to orchestrate the process of healing and cell signaling, much like the conductor of an orchestra. These are your own stem cells working to help you.
 
Our goal is to provide you with the latest in affordable, minimally invasive therapies to help acute and chronic orthopedic foot and ankle conditions. We are experienced in the field of regenerative medicine and have years of experience in advanced interventional pain management techniques. While regenerative therapies have shown a significant improvement in many orthopedic injuries, they are not a cure-all or appropriate for all conditions. We will present you with an honest opinion on your options. 
 
Everyone is different. If regenerative therapy is not right for you, we will always give you your best options.
 
How It Works
This is a non-surgical procedure. Although some ailments require invasive measures of treatment, many have the ability to heal. Regenerative therapy simply provides an advanced boost to the already natural healing process our body provides. Most procedures take 30-60 minutes to perform in a single office visit. You would be able to leave within an hour after the procedure. Although you are able to go about normal activity, we suggest that you take it easy for the first week or two.
 
To learn more about treating foot and ankle injuries using stem cell therapy, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.
 
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.

Some things to think about regarding ankle & foot pain 
​
​A great deal of joint cooperation needs to occur for the foot to function properly. Something we all probably don’t think about normally. The foot during walking is at the mercy of the function of the lower limb. In addition, there can be intrinsic misalignment that can occur or functional adaptation. So… Ankle and/or foot pain is usually a matter of control, or loss of control.
Misaligned Feet
The majority of people with flat or misaligned feet will never experience any pain or symptoms in their feet. However, they will eventually develop pain or symptoms somewhere in their body. In children this can show up as “growing” pains or shin splints. In adults, it can appear as chronic pain to knees, hips and/or back. Once the anklebone slips from its natural alignment on the heel bone this alters the foundation of the body. The knee twists, the leg is pulled from the hip, the pelvis tilts, and this creates a strain on the back.
Goals to restore foot stability
Our overall goal with the foot is to restore stability to the foot and mobility to the toes and ankle. There are many conditions that can be causing your pain. Our care will be tailored to your specific problem and will include the following:

• Rapid pain relief
• Rapid control of swelling (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
• Taping and bracing as needed
• Patient education with complete patient involvement
• Development of a home treatment program
• Joint and soft tissue mobilization to restore motion
• Stability strength training
• Mobility exercises  for range of motion
• Hands-on-therapy

Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.


To learn more about treating foot and ankle injuries, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

Nail fungus, a common condition
Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection continues, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edge…and can affect several nails.
If your condition is mild, you may not need treatment. If it’s painful and has caused thickened nails, self-care steps and medications may help. But even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often does comes back.
When fungus infects the areas between your toes and the skin of your feet, it's called athlete's foot.
SymptomsYou may have nail fungus if you have one of the following:

• Thickened
• Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration
• Brittle, crumbly or ragged
• Distorted in shape
• A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail
• Smelling slightly foul

While, nail fungus can affect fingernails, it's more common in toenails.
When to see a doctor
You may want to see a doctor if self-care steps haven't helped and the nail becomes increasingly discolored, thickened or deformed. If you have diabetes and think you're developing nail fungus, you should see a doctor.

Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms. The most common cause is a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Yeast and molds also can cause nail infections.
Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but it's more common in older adults. As the nail ages, it can become brittle and dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungi to enter. Other factors such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system may also play a role.
Toenail fungal infection can start from athlete's foot (foot fungus), and it can spread from one nail to another. But it is uncommon to get an infection from someone else.
Risk factorsFactors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:

• Being older with reduced blood flow, more years of exposure to fungi and slower growing nails
• Sweating heavily
• Having a history of athlete's foot
• Walking barefoot in damp communal areas like swimming pools and shower rooms
• Having a minor skin or nail injury or a skin condition, such as psoriasis
• Having diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system

Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.To learn more about treating toenail fungus, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.
 

The majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis do develop foot symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a tough diagnosis to receive, as it is an autoimmune disease that can cause severe pain and joint deformity and also happens to be incurable. However, the treatment options available are the most advanced they have ever been—and are allowing many people with RA who would have otherwise been destined for wheelchairs to live full and active lives.
 
One of the early signs of rheumatoid arthritis is stiffness, pain, and swelling in the hands and feet. The onset is gradual for some and immediate for others, but regardless, most people with RA wake up one day and realize that the joints in the ball or sole of their feet are too painful to walk on. At the same time, they might also notice their fingers stiffen while trying to open a jar, or that they can't bend certain finger joints while cooking because it's too painful. As the disease progresses, pain and stiffness may spread to the wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, and hips. 
Parts of the Foot Affected by RAWhen it comes to the feet, RA typically affects the metatarsophalangeal (MTP)joints of the toes. When RA persistently affects the MTP joints, a gradual outward (lateral) shift in the toes can occur. This may cause both feet to develop bunions. RA may also cause shifting of the forefoot and loss of stability, which leads to toe contractures, such as hammertoes. Toe contractures and changes in toe joint flexibility will often lead to calluses and pain beneath the ball of the foot. All of these changes to a foot's structure and shape can make finding a comfortable shoe more difficult.
Other joints of the foot that can be affected by RA include the ankle joint and the talonavicular joint, which is part of the foot's arch. When the talonavicular joint is affected, the foot can become destabilized and flat feet can develop.
What distinguishes RA pain from the more common Osteoarthritis (OA)pain is that multiple joints are usually affected at the same time with RA and the joint symptoms are generally symmetrical, occurring on both sides of the body equally. Another feature that distinguishes RA from OA is the tendency for RA to cause a longer period of morning stiffness.
 
 
 
An RA sufferer will often experience stiffness in affected joints for one or more hours after awakening, compared with an OA sufferer, whose joint stiffness may diminish after a few minutes of stretching in the morning.
While not everyone will have foot involvement with RA, the majority of people do have some level of it. However, the most important thing to note is that there are many pharmacological treatment options as well as lifestyle interventions that can make a tremendous difference in managing all aspects of the disease, including its foot manifestations. A close relationship with your rheumatologist as well as your foot doctor, who will work to relieve your pain and inflammation, halt joint damage, and improve your sense of well-being—will ensure the best outcomes possible throughout the course of your disease. 
 
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associatesand schedule an appointment today.
To learn more about aching feet, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

Of the thousands of species of fungi, there are only a few that can cause disease or discomfort in people. Invasive fungal disease is relatively rare in healthy persons because of our sophisticated immune systems. However, serious fungal diseases frequently occur in immune compromised patients.
Compromised immunity
Uncontrolled HIV infection, for example, makes many people vulnerable to lethal fungal diseases. Cancer treatments and diabetes can also compromise a person’s immunity. In addition, corticosteroids, immunosuppressant’s and prolonged courses of antibiotics can also make the body more susceptible to fungal infections.
Put this list of fungal infections on your radar
1. Athletes Foot is a fungal infection of the feet with itching, scaling and redness.
2. Ringworm can appear in the form of a red or silver rash anywhere on the body. It is usually ring-shaped.
4. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails that can involve any component of the nail, including the matrix, bed or plate. It can cause pain, discomfort and disfigurement. Yeast and molds also cause nail infections.
5. Tinea Versicolor or pityriasis versicolor is a common condition that causes small patches of skin to become scaly and discolored. They can be darker or lighter than the surrounding skin, or even red or pink. The condition is caused by a yeast called Malassezia, which lives on the skin of most people without causing any problems.
6. Cutaneous Candidiasis can involve almost any skin area of the body, but mostly occurs in warm, moist, creased areas such as the armpits and groin. Candida is the most common cause of nappy rash in infants. Candida is also common in people who are obese or have diabetes. Antibiotics, steroid therapy and chemotherapy increase the risk of cutaneous Candidiasis. Candida can also cause infections of the nails
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associatesand schedule an appointment today.
To learn more about compromised immunity and foot disease, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

ESWT originated during World War II. Submarine sailors were injured from the sonic booms from depth charges because the shock waves damaged tissues of internal organs, including the lungs. The mechanisms that altered the tissue were researched and in the 70s shock waves were used for lithotripsy to treat kidney stones. By the 90s practitioners were using the modality to treat painful tendons, ligaments and fascia.
The mechanical effect of ESWT creates air bubbles in the fluids of tissue. The bubbles expand and burst creating shearing forces. The shearing forces cause cell changes. The cellular changes are ones that promote healing and tissue growth. Pretty amazing!
When patients decide to have the treatment, it can be painful. The treatment has side effects. There can be bruising, skin redness, little blood blisters. It’s very rare, but it can cause nerve and blood vessel damage. Geez, that doesn’t sound too good, does it?!! Still, there are many people who swear by the treatment. And, the listed side effects are rare.
At Laurel Foot & Ankle and Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle, we don’t do ESWT. We have many other ways (that we think are better) to treat the pain and dysfunction you are experiencing. But, we thought you might find this interesting.
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associatesand schedule an appointment today.
                                                                                        
To learn more about EPAT, the revolutionary, non-invasive, FDA approved, and highly effective treatment for your feet, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

Gout is a condition that often affects your feet, especially in the big toe, because of too much uric acid in your body. The affected area may feel very painful. Some describe the pain as feeling like your foot is on fire.
This condition occurs in many forms and in four stages. You may experience gout that comes and goes or develop more chronic gout over time that damages your joints.
Gout can be aggravated for many reasons, such as from eating certain foods, and occurs most commonly in men between 40 and 50 years old and in postmenopausal women.
Your doctor can treat gout and may recommend healthy lifestyle habits to manage symptoms.
Causes of gout
Gout is a complex disease. There are a variety of factors that can play a role in causing it. Certain conditions, such as blood and metabolism disorders, can cause your body to produce too much uric acid. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to excess uric acid.
Some foods can also cause gout when you eat too much of them. These include:

• shellfish
• red meat
• organ meat
• sweet juices
• salt

You can also develop gout if your body isn’t eliminating uric acid properly. If you’re dehydrated or starved, it can make it difficult for your body to excrete uric acid. This causes it to build up as deposits in your joints.
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.
To learn more about Athlete’s Foot or Gout and your feet, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

Preventing toenail fungus may not be at the top of your to-do list, but perhaps it should be. Fungi are nearly everywhere in our environment, and they really love dark, moist, warm places, like the inside your shoes. You definitely need to be aware of any changes in color or texture- both an indication that you could have a nail fungus.
 
What Exactly is Nail Fungus?
Toenail fungus is an infection that makes its way into your skin through cuts or cracks. Toes are a great environment for the fungus because they are very often warm and damp. There are different kinds of fungi that can, in some cases, spread to other toenails, skin, or even your fingernails.

A Guide to Symptoms
Thicker than normal, warping and odd shaped nails could all be symptoms of nail fungus. Sometimes the nails will break very easily, and they can look yellow.  A white dot can also appear on the nail and then grow larger. When fungus builds up under your nail, it can loosen and even separate the nail from the bed. The fungus can also spread to the skin around your nail.
 
Who Gets Toenail Fungus?
Almost anybody can get toenail fungus. Although, certain groups are more prone. Men – are much more likely to get it than women. Age - the older you are the better the odds you will get toenail fungus. Also, there’s an increased risk for people who have diabetes, athlete's foot, weak immune system, smoke, or whose family members have it as well. Prior injuries to toenails are also a risk factor.
 
When Should You Seek Help?
Since there are different types of toenail fungus, and the infection can look like other conditions, it’s really best to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. A podiatrist can in all likelihood diagnose very quickly, but may need to take a small sample of the infected area to confirm the diagnosis.
 
Treatment
A variety of treatments may be needed, and that’s another reason to have a podiatrist make the diagnosis. A podiatrist can also determine the severity of the problem and immediately recommend the best treatment or combination of treatments.
Treatments might Include:

• Topical cream that goes directly on the nail
• Topical nail lacquer
• Antifungal prescription pill
• Nail smoothing
• Laser therapy
• Shoe treatment
• In some cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed
• Removing the damaged area of the nail or skin
• Finally, there is a possibility of surgery to remove the nail

Prevention
Here below is a list of the best ways to avoid toenail fungus.

• Cleanliness- Use soap and water to wash your feet, and dry well, including between toes. Wear shower shoes in wet public places like locker rooms and swimming pools.
• Keep Feet Dry. Choose socks that wick moisture away. Change them regularly.
• Trim nails straight across, not at an angle and to the proper length (shorter than the end of your toe).
• Use clean tools. Nail clippers and files should be washed with soap and water, and wiped down with rubbing alcohol.
• Take a break from nail polish. The nail bed needs to "breathe," to allow the fungus to go away.

 
If you notice changes in color or texture, have pain or notice any of the other symptoms described above, then it’s time to contact us for a diagnosis and the best in recommended care.
Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.
To learn more about Diabetes and your feet, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.