When children or teens have foot pain, finding the exact cause is not always easy. Sometimes the pain comes from muscles, tendons, or small injuries that are hard to see with the eye alone. In these cases, ultrasounds can be a helpful tool. It uses sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues in the foot and ankle. This allows doctors to check for inflammation, tears, or other problems without needing radiation. A problem-based approach means the ultrasound is used to look at specific areas where pain is reported, helping to pinpoint the source. This can lead to faster and more accurate treatment, especially when the pain is not clearly linked to a single injury. If a child has ongoing foot pain that does not improve, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who may recommend ultrasounds to better understand the issue.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Anterior tibial tendonitis is an overuse injury that affects a tendon that connects the tibialis anterior muscle to the front of the ankle. This muscle is key to moving your foot upward and turning it inward. This condition is caused by repetitive activities, such as running, especially on hard surfaces or with improper footwear. It can also result from sudden increases in activity or abnormal foot mechanics. Symptoms include pain and swelling along the front of the ankle, particularly when walking, running, or climbing stairs. The pain may worsen with activity and feel like a dull ache or sharp pain, making it difficult to lift the foot properly. In more severe cases, it causes tenderness or weakness in the ankle. A podiatrist can diagnose anterior tibial tendonitis through physical exams and imaging tests. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory medication, targeted exercises, and custom orthotics to address foot alignment. In rare cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be considered. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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 offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Running shoes and walking shoes are designed with different purposes in mind, and choosing the right type is important for comfort and injury prevention. Running shoes are built to handle the higher impact and greater force that occurs with each stride. They typically offer more cushioning, flexibility, and support in key areas, such as the heel and forefoot. In contrast, walking shoes are designed for a more consistent, rolling motion of the foot and often feature a more rigid sole with support focused on the arch and heel. The differences in design help accommodate the unique movements of each activity. Wearing the appropriate shoe for your chosen exercise not only improves performance but also supports long-term foot health by reducing strain on muscles and joints during regular physical activity. If you have developed foot pain from wearing the wrong type of shoes for walking or running, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment remedies and guide you on what features to look for in desired shoes.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with one of out podiatrists from Alta Ridge Foot Specialist. Our doctors can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.