If your job requires that you stand on your feet for prolonged periods of time, it is important to do all you can to stay energized and productive while keeping your feet, ankles and legs healthy. First, purchase a good pair of comfortable shoes with adequate sole and arch support that support the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your feet and legs. Shoe inserts and over-the-counter orthotics can provide additional support, and custom orthotics can even correct alignment and posture issues. Compression hosiery can apply gentle pressure to your legs and feet and help to reduce discomfort, swelling and fluid build-up. You can also change positions while you stand, stretch your legs and feet frequently, use a footrest to shift weight between legs, stand on a rubberized floor mat, and be sure to take all scheduled breaks and elevate your feet if possible while doing so. Also, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can examine your feet and offer more detailed practical steps and interventions to keep your feet healthy on the job.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

The medical term for excessively sweaty feet is plantar hyperhidrosis. Sweating usually occurs as a cooling mechanism in response to physical activity or stress, but hyperhidrosis occurs when sweating isn't necessary. This sweating is excessive, which can understandably be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Common treatments for plantar hyperhidrosis can include antiperspirant prescriptions, botox injections, iontophoresis, and other medications. If you are struggling with excessively sweaty feet, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist for the treatment that is best for you.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM of Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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

A skin lesion KOH exam is a diagnostic test used to determine whether an infection of the skin is caused by a fungus. Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections of the feet, and the KOH exam can be used to test for it. When a doctor performs this test, they will scrape a small piece of skin off of the affected area and then mix this sample with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The KOH destroys healthy skin cells in the sample, leaving behind only the cells of the fungus, if one is present. The KOH exam is simple, straightforward, and relatively painless. If positive results are obtained, treatment of the fungal infection can begin. If you suspect that you may have athlete’s foot, it is recommended that you visit a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

People who are interested in helping patients with abnormalities of the foot and ankle may want to pursue a career in podiatry. Doctors in this specialized field treat conditions that include hammertoe, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. Mandatory schooling consists of completing a four-year undergraduate degree pertaining to medicine. Afterwards, a course is started in podiatric college, which will take four years to complete. The qualified student achieves the title of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and then a residency that generally takes three years to complete can begin. Podiatrists have the choice to begin an independent practice, become part of a group practice, or may start a career working in hospitals. Research has indicated that podiatry is a fast growing field of medicine, and it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can help you to determine if this is a correct career choice for you.

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

• Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
• Use innovative methods to treat conditions
• Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
• Correct walking patterns and balance
• Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe or, occasionally, on the pinky toe. The bunion causes the affected toe to point towards the other toes, instead of pointing straight ahead. Bunions may be painful, making it difficult to walk, stand, wear your typical shoes, or do your usual daily activities. There are two main types of bunions, although many bunions can be a combination of both types. A positional bunion is caused by the joint enlarging as new bone grows. This stretches the outer covering of the joint and pushes the big toe towards the smaller ones, eventually pulling the big toe out of alignment. A structural bunion is caused by the angle between the bone of the big toe and second toe being larger than normal. This can also push the big toe towards the smaller toes. Regardless of the type of bunion you may have, it is recommended that you seek treatment from a podiatrist.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM of Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

Many people may experience the condition that is known as arthritis in the feet and ankles. It can develop gradually, as the cartilage in the ankle becomes thinner. Inflammation typically accompanies arthritis, which may cause severe pain and discomfort. People may develop this ailment as a result of genetics, or existing medical conditions that can include blood disorders or poor circulation. Some of the symptoms that are associated with arthritis can consist of limited ankle mobility, various levels of pain, and stiffness in the ankle and foot joints. Additionally, weight loss, general fatigue, and sweating may be indicators of types of arthritis. If you are afflicted with arthritis in your feet, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose this condition and guide you toward the correct treatment plan.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Olympia Fields, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.