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Running is a well-known sport that is loved by many people. However, without the proper knowledge of technique and equipment, many people can suffer running injuries. To avoid these types of injuries, it’s beneficial to gain knowledge on specific prevention tips you can practice while performing the sport. Strengthening your body is an important step in this process. Activation exercises can be useful to look into and perform before you go on a run, that way your body is prepared for physical activity. Increasing the intensity of your runs must be done gradually or your body will react negatively. Another factor in injury prevention is proper footwear. Your shoes should fit comfortably and also offer the necessary support features for the type of running you enjoy. For more information on how to prevent running injuries, please consult with a podiatrist for professional advice and care.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Vincent, Vess of Fourth River Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh, White Oak, and McKeesport,PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Anterior tibialis tendonitis occurs when the tendon that runs along the front of the ankle becomes irritated or inflamed from overuse or strain. This tendon connects the front of the shin to the top of the foot and is responsible for lifting the foot during walking. Repetitive running, jumping, or walking uphill can place excessive stress on this tendon. Wearing shoes that lack adequate support or are too tight can also increase tension in this area. People with flat feet, high arches, or muscle weakness in the lower leg are at higher risk of developing this condition. Symptoms include pain along the front of the ankle or top of the foot, swelling, and stiffness that worsens with movement. A podiatrist can help by examining the foot, ordering imaging, and recommending proper treatment. If you have pain in front of the ankle, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Vincent, Vess from Fourth River Foot & Ankle. Our doctor 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 Pittsburgh, White Oak, and McKeesport,PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Burning pain in the feet often develops when nerves become compressed, irritated, or damaged. Peripheral neuropathy, which involves dysfunction of the nerves that transmit signals between the legs and feet, is a frequent cause. People with this condition often experience burning sensations, numbness, or tingling in both feet. Another source of burning pain is Morton’s neuroma, a thickening of tissue around a nerve in the ball of the foot that can make it feel like walking on a pebble. Metatarsalgia, which involves inflammation and pressure beneath the metatarsal bones, can also create burning pain in the forefoot, especially with prolonged standing or walking. Peripheral vascular disease can lead to burning discomfort when blood flow to the feet is reduced, especially during movement. If you are experiencing burning foot pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Vincent, Vess from Fourth River 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 offices located in Pittsburgh, White Oak, and McKeesport,PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. A podiatrist can relieve pain, treat infection, and provide guidance to prevent recurrence through proper nail trimming and footwear advice. When conservative treatments such as soaking or trimming are not effective, a minor surgical procedure may be performed to remove part or all of the affected nail. This ingrown toenail surgery is usually done under local anesthesia, and recovery typically takes one to two weeks, depending on the extent of the nail removal and aftercare. If you have a painful ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can discuss whether surgery is a right treatment option for you. 

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Vincent, Vess of Fourth River Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh, White Oak, and McKeesport,PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.