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Our feet and ankles are subject to many different problems because of the roles they play in carrying us around and keeping us fit each day. They include acute and chronic pain issues that often do not have a quick and easy treatment. Enter, EPAT. EPAT, or Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology is an FDA-cleared, noninvasive treatment for a range of musculoskeletal issues. According to the Curamedix brochure about EPAT, “This proprietary technology is based on a unique set of pressure waves that stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.” How…

Got bunions? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Catherine Zeta-Jones, JLo, and Amy Adams are just a few celebrities that have been sighted with the problem. It’s not really a surprise, though since women are more prone to having foot issues then men are. It’s most likely due to the types of shoes that women wear, often sacrificing comfort for fashion. What are bunions? While it can begin with genetics, shoes that force the toes into a specific shape can aggravate this common problem of the big toe joint (and sometimes the pinky toe). Additionally, foot injuries, birth deformities, ill-fitting…

When you have a deformity in the first joint of the toe making it point up and then down, it’s called a hammertoe. The tip of the toe may still be flat, but between that and the foot, there is an upside-down V. It may or may not cause pain, but it needs to be treated if it causes swelling and redness of the toe, has a painful corn on top, gives you pain at the base of your toe, and/or causes pain when you try to move the toe. Hammertoes can be caused by abnormal development of muscle tissue…

Many of us lead busy lives, which often makes us forget about self-care, let alone foot care. Our feet often get neglected, even though they carry us everywhere, every day! It’s time to appreciate our feet. At Texas Foot Works, we want you to care for your feet. We have come up with some simple ways to practice good hygiene and remember to care for your feet at home. Leave your shoes and your work at the door. When you get home, it’s time to relax and enjoy yourself, whether it be with your favorite meal and TV show, or with…

Onychocryptosis, commonly known as ingrown toenails, tend to occur on the big toes, but it can affect all the little toes too. The toenail can curve into the skin or the skin may grow thickly around it, causing pain, inflammation, and even bacterial or fungal infections. What causes you to get ingrown toenails? Genetics: Curved toes or toenails can be a hereditary trait. When the toes are curled into each other, the pressure applied by the other toes can cause the nail to grow down and into the skin. People with curved toenails have a natural growth direction downward into…

More than anything, smelly feet can be embarrassing. To remedy the situation, you need to take your feet out of your shoes, but if you do, people around you might smell the horrid odor. So you continue to do your best to hide it. But did you know that it makes the smelly feet situation worse? Your feet have about 3,000 sweat glands per square inch of feet. As you get hot throughout the day, your body uses these glands to release heat, making parts of your body sweaty. Some people may not sweat as much through the hands and…

Have you tried yoga yet? In recent years, many have benefitted from practicing Yoga. It is good for the mind and body, helping you to focus, strengthening your muscles, and improving your balance. For your feet in particular, it can be helpful in becoming more aware of two body parts that constantly carry the whole of you around. (Note: If you haven’t practiced yoga before, it is best to begin under the guidance of a Yoga instructor for proper alignment and form to prevent injury.) Are you ready to connect with your feet and challenge your body to go beyond…

The Superbowl is right around the corner! The Cowboys are in the running for the playoffs and it looks like they’re getting healthier than they have been all season. Whether the Cowboys make it to the Superbowl will be determined by the Championship game, which in turn, may depend on how injuries play out. While the Cowboys mostly have healthy players, those who have been injured previously are a concern. Morris Claiborne is back in action, but will he continue to play for the Cowboys? His extensive injuries leave him an uncertain player in the football world. Terrell McClain’s ankle…

Keeping our older loved ones active and mobile is essential to keeping them healthy. It affects not only their physical health, but also their mental health by giving them a sense of independence. Supportive footwear plays an important role in keeping older adults safe in their mobility. Promoting balance, maneuverability, and cushioning are key features of supportive footwear for seniors, who are at a higher risk of falls. If your loved one seems to be struggling with walking or is at high risk for falls, follow these tips for finding supportive footwear for older adults: Shoe structure and outer soles:…

How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? They are not always so easy to keep, but we at Texas Foot Works want to encourage you to keep going! If your resolution(s) had something to do with getting in shape or engaging in a healthy, active lifestyle, we have some tips for you to help increase your step count! The weather has been fluctuating, but try to keep consistent with your activity while taking the proper precautions to keep you safe and warm in the winter weather (or cool during warmer days). Got a pedometer, activity tracker, or smartphone with activity…

Happy New Year! Have you made your list of resolutions yet? Most of them are probably related to self-improvement, like losing weight or eating healthier. This year, in addition to those goals, how about you put a focus on your feet? At Texas Foot Works, we want to encourage our patients to prioritize foot health so that you can achieve overall health. Here are some goals you might add to your list of New Year’s Resolutions: Make your annual podiatry appointment with your favorite podiatrist! Why put off ‘til tomorrow, what you can do today? Listen to your body, especially your…

Diabetes can the loss of sensation in the feet. This can result to foot injuries caused by cuts or bruises due to the loss of feedback and sensation. Diabetes can reduce the blood flow to your feet. This is because of the high levels of blood sugar. Without normal blood flow to your feet, injuries heal slower due to the loss of nutrients. Proper foot care is essential, especially for people suffering from diabetes. Consult a podiatrist for more information on proper foot care for diabetics. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with foot disorders. Inspect your…

Did you know that the strongest tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon? This tendon connects your lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of your foot. It is also responsible for facilitating movements such as walking and running. The Achilles tendon gives the body provides mobility for major leg and foot movements. And any injury should be treated as soon as possible to prevent serious and complicated problems. Most common symptoms of the Achilles tendon disorder Achilles tendinitis. This is the milder injury of the Achilles tendon and manifests the following signs and symptoms: Pain that ranges from dull…

Our feet is a complex machine composed of many bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments all working together. But as we grow older, our feet will lose flexibility and strength. And having arthritis will only make matters worse. If left untreated, pain steadily grows worse that simple activities such as walking become difficult. But with proper treatment, you can slow the development of arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint where they become, swollen, stiff, and painful. Consult a podiatrist to learn more about arthritis Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with foot disorders. Caring for your…

What are plantar warts? Plantar wart is a wart that is found on the feet. Plantar warts are hard and grainy bumps on the foot that are usually found on the heel or ball of the foot. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV and occur when the virus enters the body through cuts, break, or weak spots on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are considered nonmalignant and may not require treatment. However, plantar warts can cause discomfort and pain and the best way to treat them is to remove them. Consult a podiatrist to…

Patrick Duffy is best known for his role in Dallas as Bobby Ewing. He is an accomplished American actor who is rumored to be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma. According to National Enquirer, Patrick Duffy is suffering from a very painful foot condition. Morton’s Neuroma is a kind of condition that affects the nerves of the feet, mainly the area between the third and fourth toes. This condition causes the nerves around the feet to swell, causing the feet to feel pain. Dr. Jonathan Kletz  is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.…

Your feet carry the most of your weight and the pressure it takes may be too great for it to handle. Of all the structures in your feet, one of the most affected are your small toes. Because it is constantly pushed against the big toe. These are also being pressed against the sides of the shoes. Deformities and conditions of the small toes are because of human improper use of their foot and foot wears. However, there are two conditions of the small toes that are considered perfectly normal and part of a person’s development, particularly the child. Though,…

Even Hollywood stars get stinky feet and Lindsay Lohan is no exception. Friends of the actress revealed Lindsay Lohan’s might have athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot can be smelly, itchy, and really embarrassing. Athlete’s foot is a fungal eruption in the foot that is common in athletes and non-athletes. It is a skin inflammation that can quickly spread to the toenails and surrounding areas. Athlete’s foot is not a serious disease but it is hard to cure especially if you have diabetes or a weak immune system. What causes athlete’s foot? Athletes foot is caused by the very same fungus that…

Bones are some of the hardest and most resilient structures in the body. However, even this has its limits and injury can occur anytime. A talus fracture in particular is one which occurs when there is a bone breakage in the ankle. Bone healing can be a lengthy process especially for bones that have suffered a severe fracture. This is often caused by high impact accidents such as vehicular accidents or direct application of force to the ankle. Surgical treatments can be very difficult and recovery even more complicated. This is why recovering from a talus fracture should not be…

Athletes are prone to injuries because they lived in a very physical world that entails them to give a lot of effort and energy. Their injuries usually depend on the muscles they use and the nature of the sports they are active into. For example, runners are usually prone to foot and leg injuries because that is the body part that are greatly involved in their sport. Any type of foot injury can have a negative effect on a runner’s performance. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people suffering from sports related foot injuries. With this, we want…