Heel spurs are bony hooks that can form on the heel bone. They are essentially calcium deposits that may be caused by wearing significantly ill-fitting footwear. It is possible for heel spurs to cause pain. Heel spurs have an interesting shape. They come to almost a pointy end at the tip of the heel spur. This is why the heel spur is said to resemble a kind of hook shape. The hook points towards the plantar fascia in the foot and is relatively small in size compared to the heel bone. It is suggested that an individual who has heel spurs seek medical attention from a podiatrist if the heel spur is causing significant pain or is inhibiting or preventing motion such as walking. Contact a podiatrist today and schedule an appointment if you are struggling with heel spurs. 

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris from Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

If you are a new parent, then you are likely familiar with the importance of caring for your child’s feet and ensuring that they are growing or developing appropriately. One thing that might be a source of confusion among new parents is what your baby’s foot shape is supposed to look like. Importantly, by the time a baby reaches 2 years of age, you might be able to discern what their natural foot shape will be. Babies inherit the shape of their feet from their parents, and the baby will likely exhibit one of three different shape types. First, the baby might have a tapered foot shape where the big toe is the longest toe. Second, a baby might have what is known as a rounded foot shape, where the second and third toes are actually the longest, being longer than the first. Third, the foot might be a square shape, where all of the toes in the feet are about the same length. For more information about what your baby’s feet are supposed to look like, contact a podiatrist today and schedule an appointment. 

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Dogs are cute, especially little puppies. But they like to bite and often playfully nip their owner’s feet. If a puppy gets carried away he can pierce the skin, and bacteria from his mouth can get into the foot possibly causing an infection. If this happens, it is important to wash the wound thoroughly to help prevent the bacteria from staying in the body. Infections like tetanus, rabies, or sepsis can develop from such bites. Since infections can spread to other parts of the body, in some cases, antibiotics or vaccinations are needed. If a dog bites your foot and the area swells or becomes red and painful, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist immediately to get the recommended treatment to halt the spread of a possible infection. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Kirk Sherris from Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor 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 office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Research has shown that injuries may be prevented among runners. It is easy to experience unwanted foot conditions from running mishaps, and simple methods can be implemented to help prevent running injuries. Common injuries that affect many runners can include blisters, a pulled muscle in the lower leg, and cuts from falling. Additionally, running injuries can be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly and running on uneven surfaces. Many people overtrain, in addition to improperly warming up and cooling down, which are prime reasons for running injuries to happen. Helpful prevention tips can include drinking plenty of water before, during, and after running, while gradually increasing speed and mileage. Running injuries can affect the feet, and a podiatrist can inform you of effective running prevention techniques, address concerns, and answer any questions you may have.

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 Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. 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 Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.