Ankle Sprain: How Serious Is It?

Ankle injuries are frequently thought of as sports injuries, but you don’t have to be a collegiate or professional athlete to suffer from an ankle sprain. You don’t even have to be a “weekend warrior” to twist or turn and injure your ankle. That’s right. It can be something as unfortunate as missing a step when walking down a flight of stairs or twisting an ankle while wearing heels on a girls’ night out.

So yes, ankle sprains can happen with daily activities or while playing a pickup game of basketball. Ankle injuries occur daily, and more than 1 million people visit emergency rooms each year for these issues.

This post looks at the different types and grades of ankle sprains, how to minimize further injury, and how Yeargain Foot & Ankle can help you heal.

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Does Plantar Fasciitis Go Away?

If you have been suffering from heel pain for a while now, you can breathe a sigh of relief to know that the pain associated with plantar fasciitis can come to an end. With the correct plantar fasciitis treatment from Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen, you will be pain-free in no time. Most often, inflammation of the plantar fascia begins when daily activity such as running or taking the stairs causes micro-tears of the ligament or soft tissue that attaches your heel bone to your toes. When this happens, you start to feel severe heel pain.

Don't worry; at Yeargain Foot & Ankle we will work with you to develop a plantar fasciitis treatment plan that will suit your daily activities and put you on the road to recovery. The earlier we catch the problem, the sooner you will feel better.  Here, we take a closer look at plantar fasciitis in the below post and discuss everything you need to know

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue called plantar fascia. The plantar fascia originates on the bottom of your heel and extends to your toes, supporting your foot's arch. It functions to absorb the high stress and strain placed on your feet with each step you take. If the pressure is too great, this can cause damage or tears in the plantar fascia.

The body's natural response to injury or damage is inflammation, which results in the dreaded heel pain and stiffness of plantar fasciitis. Most patients with this condition complain of "pain with the first step out of bed" or after inactivity called post-static dyskinesia. Plantar fasciitis is sometimes called heel spur syndrome, and on an x-ray, there may be a small bone spur located on the bottom of the heel. Remember, the spur itself is typically not the cause of pain, but the plantar fascia's inflammation causes it.

Who usually 'gets' plantar fasciitis and how?

This condition is often seen in people who have overly flat feet or high-arched foot types. Wearing unsupportive footwear (flip flops, flats, or dress shoes) or walking barefoot on hard surfaces can put stress on your plantar fascia. Repetitive impact activities such as running, ballet dancing, tennis, volleyball, and other sports can contribute to the onset of plantar fasciitis. Tight calf muscles, new or increased activity, and obesity are other risk factors for plantar fasciitis.

Are there ways I can reduce the pain at home?

Yes, there are ways to reduce your pain when symptoms first present. We recommend decreasing activity and taking OTC NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to ease your pain. Applying ice to your heel and arch can also help reduce the inflammation causing your pain. If symptoms persist or worsen after a few days, you should schedule an appointment to see a foot and ankle specialist who can provide plantar fasciitis treatment. An x-ray may be warranted to rule out fractures or other injuries. YF&A has a digital x-ray system right in our office for immediate results.

Exercises are essential in treating and preventing plantar fasciitis. Tight muscles in your feet and calves are among the leading causes, so stretching is the most effective way to relieve your pain and in preventing plantar fasciitis future flare-ups. In addition to stretching, it's also recommended to avoid being barefoot on hard surfaces such as hardwoods, tile, concrete which can further irritate your plantar fasciitis. We will discuss shoe recommendations and provide a list of supportive sandals and supportive athletic and dress shoes upon the first in-office visit.

How does a Podiatrist treat plantar fasciitis and what process will I experience at your practice?

Podiatrists are the specialists to contact when it comes to plantar fasciitis treatment. The majority of the time, nonsurgical methods can be utilized to address this condition's future flare-ups. At Yeargain Foot & Ankle, we have numerous excellent outcomes using our nonsurgical plantar fasciitis treatment protocol, including custom orthotics and night splints.

Starting with your initial visit, we will target the true source of your pain and focus on specific stretching techniques and shoe inserts. If your pain is severe, we can always consider a steroid injection to reduce inflammation, causing your pain. Our goal is to get you healed up as quickly as possible to improve your overall quality of life and get you back on the field, court, or trail to the activities you love most!

Soft tissue injuries like plantar fasciitis respond quite well to physical therapy. We work closely with a few different sports rehab PT groups throughout the DFW area and can get you set up with an appointment.

Surgical intervention is needed in less than 10% of all plantar fasciitis cases and is only considered if nonsurgical methods fail to resolve your symptoms fully. Typically we will start with advanced imaging, such as an MRI or ultrasound, to determine if surgery is required. If this is the case, endoscopic or minimally invasive surgery can be performed, which results in a short recovery time versus traditional open surgical procedures.

How long should I expect to experience pain or deal with plantar fasciitis issues?

Plantar fasciitis typically does not self-resolve and can worsen and create a chronic, progressive disorder if not correctly treated. Each patient is different, but more severe conditions usually take longer to heal. This is why we recommend coming in early, at the first sign of a problem. The sooner the plantar fasciitis treatment begins, the quicker you can get back to the physical activities you enjoy the most.

Will it ever go away completely?

We at Yeargain Foot & Ankle won't stop at the reduction of your symptoms but will follow through to make sure we address the underlying causes of your condition so that you can learn how to prevent this from coming back in the future and remain pain-free long term.

Contact Us Today

If you suspect you have plantar fasciitis, don't delay; book an appointment with Yeargain Foot & Ankle today. When you have plantar fasciitis and are in severe pain, it's essential to see a specialist such as Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen to access treatment that will put you on the path to recovery as soon as possible. As always, Dr. Yeargain, Dr. Joseph Agyen Jr, and the clinic's staff want their patients to heal as fast as possible while causing minimal disruption to their everyday lives. Our team wants you looking and feeling better!

To learn more about plantar fasciitis, have a look at our plantar fasciitis page. To book an appointment at Yeargain Foot & Ankle, call (972) 853-4886 or book an appointment via our contact page. We look forward to treating you.

You'll find Yeargain Foot & Ankle at 3801 Gaston Ave. Suite 330 across the street from the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

Written by Dr. Joseph Yeargain

Ingrown Toenails: All You Need To Know

Ingrown toenails are a painful and relatively common occurrence that usually happens on our big toes. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) about 20% of people will suffer from ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails can become troublesome in your teens and early 20s and can continue throughout adulthood. But what exactly is an ingrown toenail? How do you know if you have one? And what should you do if you suspect you may have an ingrown toenail? In the below post, we’ll take a closer look at ingrown toenails and discuss everything you need to know.

ingrown toenail health check

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail starts when the skin on one or both sides of the toenail begins to grow over the nail fold or when the toenail grows into the skin. Ingrown toenails tend to be hard, swollen, and tender to the touch along the nail’s inside and outside borders. Eventually, it may become red, infected, and feel very sore. Sometimes, even the slightest touch of something soft like a bedsheet causes excruciating pain.

If you suspect you have an ingrown toenail and you have minor pain, there are a few things you can do to help at home. Soaking your foot in warm water and Epsom salt 2-3 times a day along with ibuprofen or acetaminophen can assist with pain relief. If there’s no improvement or your symptoms worsen after a couple of days, it’s time to see a specialist for proper ingrown toenail treatment. Leaving an ingrown toenail for just a few days without proper treatment can lead to more severe pain and infection.

How an Ingrown Toenail is Medically Treated

When it comes to treating ingrown toenails, Podiatrists are the experts in this field. In order to treat someone with an ingrown toenail, a minimally invasive procedure can be performed on the same day. And this minimal in-office procedure will help to ease the pain (and other symptoms) in as little as a few minutes.

Usually, Podiatrists can offer two different treatment options when helping with ingrown toenails–either a temporary or permanent treatment. Both are simple and easy to do. However, most patients choose the permanent (also known as the ‘one and done’ ) option to remove the ingrown toenail permanently. Recovery is brief, and the results are cosmetically pleasing. Aftercare kits and instructions are provided, and a quick follow-up appointment will need to take place about two weeks after the procedure. Here, your doctor will inspect the area, make sure there are no signs of an infection, and see how the healing process is coming along.

How Do You Get Ingrown Toenails?

There are a few ways you can develop an ingrown toenail. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Ingrown nails can be caused by cutting your nails too short or not straight across
  • Wearing tight shoes that crowd your toes, trauma, or nail injuries can also cause them to form
  • For most, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited, causing naturally curved toenails prone to becoming ingrown
  • Additionally, using your feet for athletic activities such as soccer, football, ballet, and running can increase damage to the toenail and the risk of becoming ingrown
  • Pregnancy can also lead to swelling of the feet, which can lead to ingrown toenails

How Can You Prevent Ingrown Toenails?

Luckily, there are many simple ways to help prevent ingrown toenails from developing. Some of these include:

  • Wearing proper-fitting shoes can prevent ingrown toenails
  • Many people recommend cutting the nails straight across. However, ingrown nails’ propensity is a genetic factor, so it’s recommended to trim them with the nail’s natural shape
  • If a problem does arise, it is better to come in for immediate care from an expert rather than trying to perform surgery on yourself or having your pedicurist trim out the nail every two weeks

Contact Us Today

If you suspect you or your teenager might have an ingrown toenail, don’t delay and book an appointment with Yeargain Foot & Ankle (YF&A) today. At YF&A, ingrown toenails are among the most prevalent issues that we see in our Dallas office daily. When you have an ingrown toenail, it’s essential to see a specialist such as Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen in order to avoid infection and minimize damage to the nail during treatment. Dr. Yeargain and Dr. Agyen focus on not only restoring functionality but preserving cosmetics. As always, Dr. Yeargain, Dr. Joseph Agyen Jr, and the clinic’s staff want their patients to heal as fast as possible while causing minimal disruption to their everyday lives. Before you know it, you’ll be back on your feet, looking and feeling better!

To learn more about ingrown toenails and the procedure itself, have a look at our FAQ section here. To book an appointment at Yeargain Foot & Ankle, call (972) 853-4886 or book an appointment via our contact page. We look forward to treating you.

You’ll find Yeargain Foot & Ankle at 3801 Gaston Ave. Suite 330 across the street from the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

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