Caring for your feet is important to your overall wellness for several reasons. First, healthy feet support movement and balance, allowing you to stay active. Poor foot health can lead to pain and reduced mobility, which can affect your daily activities. Additionally, feet play a key role in maintaining proper posture. Issues like flat feet or bunions can cause misalignment and strain on your joints and muscles. Good foot care also promotes better circulation, ensuring that blood flow is optimal, which is vital for your overall health. Regular attention to your feet can help prevent common problems like calluses, corns, and fungal infections, reducing discomfort and potential complications. Moreover, feet can serve as indicators of other health issues, such as diabetes or heart conditions, so monitoring their health can help detect problems early. If you have foot problems or wish to enhance your foot care regimen, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM from Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Acute ankle injuries are common and can involve sprains, fractures, or soft tissue damage. Clinical guidelines podiatrists use help determine whether an X-ray is needed, based on specific criteria, such as pain in certain bone areas and difficulty bearing weight. A physical exam can assess soft tissue damage, differentiating stable from unstable injuries. Stable injuries involve intact ligaments and bones, allowing conservative treatment like rest and compression. Unstable injuries, often involving complete ligament tears, may require immobilization or more aggressive treatment. If symptoms persist, an MRI can reveal deeper issues, such as syndesmosis injury, where the ligaments between the tibia and fibula are damaged. This often requires a longer recovery. Surgery is typically reserved for chronic instability or severe injuries. If you have injured your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with Brian D. Jackson, DPM from Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Numbness and tingling in the toes can result from various causes, often indicating nerve or circulation issues. One common cause is peripheral neuropathy, where nerves are damaged due to conditions like diabetes, leading to loss of sensation. Poor circulation, such as from peripheral artery disease, or PAD, can also reduce blood flow to the toes, causing tingling or numbness. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve, located near the ankle, becomes compressed, leading to numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes. Morton’s neuroma is another condition where a thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve between the toes causes similar symptoms, often triggered by wearing tight shoes or high heels. If numbness and tingling are persistent or worsen, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist, especially if the symptoms include pain or difficulty walking, as they could signal a more serious underlying condition requiring prompt attention.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM of Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot and ankle injuries are prevalent among baseball players due to the demanding nature of the sport, which involves frequent running, sudden stops, and rapid direction changes. Ankle sprains, particularly lateral ankle sprains, are among the most common injuries. These occur when the ankle rolls outward, stretching or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Chronic ankle instability often follows, where the ankle remains prone to repeated sprains and discomfort. This condition can significantly affect a player's performance and recovery. Proper warm-up exercises, strengthening routines, and supportive footwear can help reduce the risk of such injuries. If you have endured this type of injury, your ability to play may be temporarily compromised. It is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment remedies.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM of Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, often results from strain on the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the foot's arch. Various risk factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis, including excessive foot pronation, where the foot rolls inward too much, or high arches that put extra stress on the fascia. Tightness in the Achilles tendon can limit ankle movement, which in turn increases strain on the plantar fascia. Weak foot muscles may also contribute to overstretching the plantar fascia. Physical activity levels, whether too much or too little, can also influence the development of plantar fasciitis. Prolonged standing, obesity, and training errors, such as sudden increases in exercise intensity, are additional risk factors. Addressing these issues early with a podiatrist can help prevent the condition from worsening. If you have persistent or worsening heel pain, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to determine whether plantar fasciitis is the problem.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Brian D. Jackson, DPM from Neuhaus Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Pulaski, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.