• Shoes that don't provide support
• Constant stress caused by running, sports and other physical activity
• Flat feet
• Bone spurs
• High-heeled shoes
• The way you walk
• Too much stress on the plantar fascia

Remember, one of the most complicated forms of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, and that needs to be taken care of quickly before further damage is caused to your foot.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

Plantar fasciitis pain is normally felt on the bottom of the heel. The heel pain is more intensive when you get up in the morning to start your day. The pain often disappears and then comes back after any inactivity, or following extended rest.

What you should also know about plantar fasciitis is that it usually gets much worse over time. The longer you allow the pain to go untreated, the more complications you can have later.

How to Avoid Heel Pain - Treatment

• Walking Cast - This allows limited movement in the heel, but still allows you to put weight on your foot.
• Special Shoes - Sometimes, heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis can be alleviated by using special shoes with added support.
• Anti-Inflammatory - Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can help reduce swelling.
• Ice - Ice helps to reduce swelling, and combined with rest and elevation of your heel, it offers First Aid for immediate pain.
• Stretching - There are many stretching exercises that are designed for heel pain.
• Strengthening - You can use weight resistant exercises to help strengthen the damaged heel once it starts to get better. Caution should be used when performing these exercises and you should only do them with the permission of a doctor.
• Taping - Taping allows you to continue to do light exercises if the heel condition isn't that severe.
• Surgery - The final treatment suggestion is surgery. Your podiatrist will discuss the best options available, and will only suggest surgery if it is absolutely necessary.

If you want to know how to avoid heel pain, or treat plantar fasciitis, you should see your podiatrist. The only way to know what you should do is to have a professional check it out first.

The best way on heel pain is to follow the tips in this article. However, if your heel pain persists, and you should see a podiatrist, and if you're in the Scottsdale, AZ area, you should visit InMotion Foot and Ankle Specialists with Dr. Bruce Werber, DPM. Call 480-948-2111 to get relief today!

Varicose and Spider Veins: What Are They, How They Occur, Treatments To Curing Them and What People Can Do To Avoid Getting Them

Commonality of Spider and Varicose Veins
Roughly 55 percent of woman and 45 percent of men in the United States have some kind of vein problem, and more than half of people older than 50 have varicose veins.

7 Factors That Increases The Risk For Spider and Varicose Veins
There are at least seven factors that increase one’s risk for develops either varicose or spider veins:

1. Age – As the body ages, the veins’ valves can weaken or stop working altogether.
2. Changes in Hormones - Occurs in puberty, menopause and pregnancy; medicine like birth control pills, progesterone or estrogen can lead to varicose or spider veins formation.
3. Pregnancy – This causes a significant rise of blood in the body, which will cause the veins to swell. They usually go away within three months after the baby is born. However, additional pregnancies cause more to appear.
4. Obesity – When the body is carrying too much weight, it places undue pressure on the veins, which will lead to varicose veins.
5. No Physical Activity – Standing or sitting for long periods of time causes the veins to work harder pushing the blood back to the heart. Sitting with legs bent or crossed can be a real big problem.
6. Medical history – Persons born with weak veins have an increased risk for varicose or spider veins. A family history with the problem also increases the risk.
7. Exposure To Sun – Fair-skinned persons exposed to the sun will have spider veins on their nose or cheeks.

Why They Are Found More Often In The Legs
The reason varicose veins and spider veins are found in the legs is that they carry the weight of the body and must carry the blood the bottom upwards to the heart. The leg veins, compared to other veins, have the hardest job of carrying the blood to the heart. They have the most pressure put on them. And, the pressure can be much stronger than the vein’s one-way valves.

How To Know You Have It: Several Common Varicose Veins Signs To Watch Out For
Varicose veins are typically seen on the skin but other common symptoms include:

• Aching pain that worsens after sitting/standing for long periods of time
• Heaviness
• Cramping/throbbing
• Swelling
• Skin darkening
• Restless legs
• Itchy/irritated rash

How Dangerous Are They: Should People Be Concerned About Varicose or Spider Veins
How concerned should persons be about varicose and/or spider veins? Spider veins are not a major serious health problem but can cause persons discomfort in the legs. Common spider veins symptoms are burning and itching. Bear in mind that spider veins could be a sign that blood has backed up deep inside; something not seen on the skin. Thus, varicose veins could cause similar symptoms.

Varicose veins don’t generally cause issues but, if they do, it’s typically a throbbing, aching pain… a real discomfort. It can, however, lead to serious health problems like:

• Bleeding – Skin over veins become thick and easily injured, which can cause significant blood loss.
• Skin ulcers – This is the result of long-term blood backup and is usually painful and slow to heal. Sometimes they won’t heal until vein has been repaired.
• Deep vein thrombosis – Blood clot in deep veins; it causes a pulling feeling within the calf as well as swelling, redness, pain and warmth. It can also cause no symptoms and may result in death if not it gets into the lungs.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis – This is a blood clot that forms inside the veins, just under the skin. Its symptoms are pain, swelling, skin redness, firm, warm and tender vein.

When Should A Doctor Be Seen About Varicose Veins
It’s important to see a doctor about the varicose veins if:

• They have become swollen, tender, warm or red
• They have sores or a rash on the leg or ankle
• Skin on calf and ankle is thick and color changes
• Bleeding occurs
• Leg symptoms are causing problems with everyday life
• Veins appearance on causing you problems

Persons should seek assistance if they have pain, even if it’s dull. Even if a doctor is not sought out, steps should be taken to avoid getting them.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Varicose Veins?
Doctors will perform a physical examination, looking at the legs as the person is standing or sitting. They’ll ask about symptoms the patient is having including pain. Other tests may be performed to rule out additional disorders. A doctor may order an ultrasound to look at vein structure, the blood flow and find blood clots. It’s possible a doctor will order a patient to have a venogram, which is a test to get an in-depth look at the veins’ blood flow.

There are five common doctors people will see about their varicose veins:

• Dermatologist – skin doctor
• Vascular medicine doctor – deals with blood system
• Vascular surgeon – performs surgery and other procedures
• Phlebologist – vein specialist
• Interventional radiologist – specializes in imaging tools to look inside and do treatments without any cutting if possible

Each specialist does many or all procedures that treat varicose veins. The patient’s primary care physician can recommend the specialist the patient should see. Patients should also check with their insurance carrier to determine what procedures and doctors they’ll pay for.

What Are The Treatments For Spider and Varicose Veins?
Medical treatments and lifestyle changes can treat varicose veins by:

• Improving appearance
• Prevent complications
• Relieving symptoms

If a patient is not suffering from many symptoms, their doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes. However, medical treatments may be necessary if there are any serious symptoms.

1 - Compression Stockings
These things will place much needed pressure on the veins and comes in three forms:

• Support pantyhose – This gives the tiniest amount of pressure and are not gradient, which means pressure is everywhere in the body and not centralized.
• Over-the-counter gradient compression hose – This gives more pressure than support pantyhose and are seen in drugstores and medical supply stores.
• Prescription-strength gradient compression hose – This gives the best pressure possible and are generally seen in drug stores and medical supply stores. Patients will have to be professionally fitted by trained personnel.

2 - Sclerotherapy
A common spider veins and varicose veins treatment and is done by having the doctor inject the vein with a liquid chemical. This chemical will cause swelling of the vein walls so they stick together and clamp shut. The blood flow will stop and veins will become scar tissue. Over time, the veins will fade. There’s no anesthesia required and can be done in the office. Normal activity can be resumed after the treatment.

Treatment of the same vein is possible and is typically done every six weeks. A doctor will ask patients to use a gradient compression stocking to assist in the healing and reduce the swelling. If done correctly, the treatment can be very effective.

Three possible side effects:

• Red, raised skin patches, bruises near injection site – It doesn’t take long to go away.
• Cluster of fine red blood vessels, brown lines and spots near treated vein – It will also goes away quickly.
• Inflammation due to lumps of blood – Swelling can be relieve by taking aspirin and using heat. Trapped blood can be drain with tiny pinprick. This side effect is not anything to worry with.

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves utilizes ultrasound imaging to direct the needle and is useful for treating veins not seen on the surface of the skin. It’s often used after endovenous techniques or surgery upon return of the varicose veins. It’s also done in the doctor’s office. Potential side effects are mistaken artery injection, swelling, deep vein thrombosis and skin sores.

3 – Surface Laser Treatments
Some doctors may use surface laser treatments due treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins. It works by sending extremely strong light bursts into the vein, which will cause it to gradually fade and disappear. The downside is that not all skin colors and types can use this treatment.

This treatment does not involve incisions or needles but rather heat from a laser, which can be extremely painful. Cooling can lessen the pain. The treatments tend to last no more than 20 minutes and up to five treatments are needed to eliminate the spider veins. Any varicose veins more than 3mm will not be affected by this treatment. Normal activity can be resumed.

Possible side effects associated with the laser method are:

• Scars and burns
• Discolored skin for up to two months
• Swelling and redness are treatment, will disappear within several days

4 - Endovenous Techniques (Laser and Radiofrequency)
These techniques are used to treat veins that are deeper in the legs known as the saphenous veins and have taken the place of surgery for the majority of patients who have severe varicose veins. However, they can be done in the doctor’s office.

It’s done by placing a tiny tube known as a catheter into the affected vein. A probe is then funneled through the tube.  A device at the probe’s tip heats up the vein and shuts it off, using either laser energy or radiofrequency. A local anesthesia is used during the procedure. Bruising is common afterwards.

Healthy veins situated near the closed vein will take over the normal blood flow, which means varicose vein symptoms will improve. Veins on the skin surface that are linked to the varicose vein that’s been treated will decrease in size after the treatment. No decrease in size means other forms of treatment may be needed.

5 – Surgery
This is typically done to treat extremely large varicose veins. Three common kinds of surgery are:

• Surgical Ligation and Stripping
• Pin Stripping
• Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Surgical Ligation and Stripping is when the problematic veins are tied closed and removed entirely from the leg through small incisions. Circulation of the blood is not affected with the vein’s removal. Deeper veins will handle the large blood volume. This kind of surgery will need general anesthesia and requires an operating rom. Recovery takes up to four weeks. While safe, there are some side effects:

• Leg pain
• Heart/breathing problems from the anesthesia
• Wound infection
• Bleeding, blood congestion
• Permanent scars
• Deep vein blood clot – clots can travel to lungs and heart, which are fatal. Heparin is often used to reduce the possibility; but, it can boost bleeding and bruising after the surgical process.
• Nerve tissue damage - It’s difficult to keep from causing harm to nerve branches when the veins have been removed, which causes the following feelings: burning, numbness and feeling change around scar.

Pin stripping works by using a PIN stripper that’s placed into the vein. The tip is sewn to the end of the vein. When the tip is removed so is the vein. It can be done in an outpatient center or operating room with either local or general anesthesia being used.

Ambulatory phlebectomy is when tiny cuts are made into the skin with hooks being used to pull the vein from the leg.  The only parts that will be numb are the ones that have been pricked. It typically takes just one treatment to complete. Minimal scars are often the result of extremely large varicose veins being removed. The treatment does not hinder a person’s physical activity for more than a day. However, bruising and some temporary numbness is experienced with the treatment.

How To Keep Spider and Varicose Veins From Occurring
It’s important to note that not all spider and varicose veins can be stopped. However, there are steps people can do to reduce their chances of developing new spider and varicose veins. Some things that can be done are:

• Protect skin using sunscreen.
• Exercise on regular basis to boost leg strength, vein strength and circulation. Place focus more on running and walking exercises.
• Maintain healthy weight to avoid a lot of pressure on legs.
• Don’t cross legs for extended periods of time while sitting, as injuries can occur and result in varicose veins.
• Raise legs when resting.
• Don’t sit or stand for extended periods of time. Shift weight often from one leg to the other. Take short walks every half hour.
• Use elastic support stockings and don’t wear tight clothing, which can constrict the legs, groin and waist.
• Don’t wear high heels for a long time.
• Consume low-salt diet that’s high in high-fiber foods. Fiber reduces constipation chances, which can lead to varicose veins.

Are Spider and Varicose Veins Likely To Come Back After Treatment
As it stands, present-day treatments of the two conditions have high success rates compared to the conventional surgical treatments. But, it’s not uncommon for abnormal veins to develop, as the weak vein valves condition has no cure. A doctor will use an ultrasound to determine how seriously the valves are dripping. Repeated treatment will ensure the problem stays under control.

Do you have varicose or spider veins? Whether you do or don’t, slowing down the development or redevelopment of varicose or spider veins is imperative, which can be done using a gradient compression support stockings all day long.

InMotion Foot and Ankle Specialists offer Superficial Laser treatment for the treatment of spider veins for the lower leg, ankle area and foot, we  offer the Cutera laser system, minimize discomfort with direct cooling while using the laser, it is very effective in eliminating Spider veins in the lower leg and foot. Warts (Verruca), fungal infected nails, and Scars can be treated with this laser system as well. Contact InMotion Foot and Ankle Specialists at 480-948-2111 so you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Werber.

*Content source: womenshealth.gov

Here's what Dr. Bruce Werber had to say about AmnioMatrix™: "My experience with these products demonstrates that AmnioMatrix™ can save life and limb in these difficult-to-treat patients. Patient care has been improved, and cost saving to the patient, and the health care system are realized by incorporating AmnioMatrix™ into treatment protocol. " - read more here. 

Watch the Youtube video on AmnioMatrix™

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How do we minimize or eliminate these problems, there are many new concepts in treatment for these problems. Lets look at some new technologies that allow me to get you back to improved function and better scores.

Heel pain our number one best seller, different types of orthotics and sets of exercises eliminate the need for injections of cortisone. For heel pain that has not responded to traditional therapy we now offer a combination of high energy shockwave therapy (extra corporeal shockwave therapy ESWT) with platlet rich plasma and or amniotic membrane and fluid. This new combination of therapies provides healthy viable mesenchymal stem cells and a flood of growth factors that stimulate your body to heal it self.   This can be used for heel pain, tendon injuries, arthritic joints, diabetic wounds. The results we have seen in our studies have been frankly unbelievable.

What if your ankle joint is to far gone for the combination therapy mentioned above well in some cases we can do arthroscopic repair and implant new cartilage cells to reverse some arthritic conditions, as last resort we can know safely and reliably replace your ankle , just like hips and knees can be replaced. The same goes for your big toe joint.

It is no longer necessary to suffer, new technologies are here for you, don’t suffer, come in for an evaluation. We can discuss how to improve your foot and ankle function so we can improve your golf game, making you play better, improve your enjoyment of the game, maybe win a few more rounds.  Dr. Werber offers convenient appointments, accepts most insurances, and patients without insurance. 

• Standing Calf Raise - To begin loosening up your Achilles tendon, the first way to strengthen it is by performing standing calf raises. Stand with your feet slightly apart and rise as high as you can on your toes. Hold that position for a few seconds and return your foot back to the floor. This exercise not only strengthens your Achilles tendon, it also strengthens the calf.
• Ankle Raise on Steps - The next exercise is very similar. However, instead of resting your foot on a flat floor, you will use steps in your house, or you can purchase an aerobic step platform. Your toes will be on the step with at least half of your foot extended off the step. Now, perform the same lifting movement as you did in the previous exercise, but when you come back down, make your foot drop slightly lower than the step, putting a little more pressure on your Achilles tendon.

When you do the ankle raise on steps, it's good to grab a hold of the railing, or other object to keep your balance. Try to do a minimum of 20 repetitions. Once you feel you have enough strength, and your Achilles doesn't have any additional pain, you can do a couple sets of these, and even increase the repetitions.

Now you have a simple and effective way to strengthen your Achilles tendon. However, if you ever injure your Achilles, you need to visit one of the Achilles Tendon Specialists in Arizona to get proper treatment, and to reduce your injury time. Get your Achilles tendon treated properly and get back on your feet, by Dr. Bruce Werber, Podiatrist in Scottsdale, AZ.

Download the Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction Guide Here.

• Heel pain is usually caused by plantar fasciitis. However, don't try to diagnose the problem, because it could be the result of other foot problems.
• The faster a podiatrist examines and recommends the proper treatment, the quicker your heel will feel better.
• If you don't seek treatment immediately, the pain is only going to get worse. Get examined and receive the correct diagnosis from a professional.
• The minute you have heel pain, you need to stop any extra stress to the damaged area.
• You need to think about the long term and overall success of your heel injury. Understand that proper treatment might take months.
• If you like jogging, you should refrain from this activity until your heel is better. You also need to avoid long walks.
• You might need to start wearing special shoes to correct your stride, and support your heel when walking or running.
• Heel pain treatment should include plenty of rest, and special heel and ankle exercises.
• Different heel problems require different types of exercises.
• If you are a woman, and wear high heels, you are more susceptible to ankle and heel injuries. Failure to get proper heel pain treatment can cause permanent damage.
• Remember, if you fail to take care of heel related injuries, and don't treat the problem early, you might need surgery.

For heel pain treatment or for a check up in Scottsdale, contact the podiatry clinic of Dr. Bruce Werber.

Plantar fasciitis exercises are necessary for some people to relieve the excruciating pain that is normally caused by an overextended rotation of the foot on some people. In this article, we will discuss what plantar fasciitis is, and how you can alleviate the pain if you are unfortunate enough to have it.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia, occurs when the ligament starts to develop small tears in the area where it connects the heel bone.

The plantar fascia is the large band of tissue that is located beneath your foot. It is responsible for helping to form the arch that most people have, and it forms a link from your heel, all the way up to your toes. This ligament is responsible for the pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

What Steps Should You Take to Stop Plantar Fasciitis?

Before you start any exercises for plantar fasciitis, here are some steps you need to take:

1. Eliminate the inflammation and pain
2. Find the main cause of the problem
3. Treat the symptoms
4. Treat the cause

How Can Plantar Fasciitis Exercises Help?

Plantar fasciitis exercises are great for reducing physical pain without other forms of medication.  However, they are most effective when you combine them with other forms of treatment.

Plantar fasciitis exercises consist of two different types:

Foot Stretching Exercises - Stretching exercises should be your first choice of treatment when you feel a lot of pain in your foot.

Ankle Rotations - Sit with your feet straight out in front of you, and stretch your toes up in the direction of your face. Lower them and stretch your foot down towards the floor. You can also move your ankle in a circle, or let your foot draw the number 8.

Towel Stretch - For an alternative stretch, wrap a towel around your toes, and pull the towel towards your body. Once you reach as high as possible, use some strength to pull your toes back down towards the ground. This stretches and strengthens your plantar fascia.

Foot Strengthening Exercises - These exercises are best done after most of the inflammation and pain have subsided. Trying them before would be counterproductive.

Towel Curl - Place a towel under your bare foot. From a seated position, use your toes to curl down and move the towel in the direction of your heel. This works great for your longitudinal arch.

Pick Up Objects - Use your toes to pick up small objects, such as marbles and clothespins, and put them in a plastic or Styrofoam cup. This helps to strengthen the entire plantar fasciitis.

As you can see, there are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis. The most important thing is to find the root of the problem, and then through the advice of a trained podiatrist, use plantar fasciitis exercises to relieve the pain, and rehabilitate your foot.

If you need more advice about plantar fasciitis exercises, contact Dr. Bruce Werber's office and set up an appointment.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northeast_valley/scottsdale/scottsdale-doctor-warns-of-nail-cancer

By wearing these shoes, pressure from your big toe may force your second toe out of alignment, sometimes overlapping your third toe. If your bunion gets too severe, it may be difficult to walk. You may even develope a chronic pain, which could lead to the development of arthritis.

Have no fear because most bunions can be treated without surgery. The most common practices is to wear protective pads to cushion the painful area and avoid wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Bunion surgery, or bunionectomy, realigns the bone, ligaments, tendons and nerves so your big toe can be brought back to its correct position. Many bunion surgeries are performed on a same-day basis (no hospital stay) using an ankle-block anesthesia. A long recovery is common and may include persistent swelling and stiffness.