Achilles Tendonitis
What is Achilles tendonitis? Great question! Achilles tendonitis, according to Mayo Clinic, is the strain the tissue endures that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This tendon is often strained by athletes, especially those who participate in fast moving sports such as running, basketball, or tennis.
Plantar Fasciitis
What is Plantar fasciitis? Another great question! Again, according to Mayo Clinic, plantar fasciitis is the swelling or inflammation of the fibrous tissue that lines the bottom of your foot, from the heel bone to the toes. According to Scottsdale’s top podiatrist, Dr. Mark Forman, DPM, M.B.A., F.A.P.W.C.A., the pain is felt in the arch of the foot and then spreads all over reaching the top of the foot. When any area of the foot is stressed, such as the strain on your Achilles tendon, plantar fasciitis occurs as a secondary injury due to your stance and movement changing trying to accommodate the Achilles tendon.
Prevention
To answer your question- YES, there are preventive measures one can take to avoid plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Of course, even with prevention, these occurrences may still occur, but they are less likely. At Put Your Feet First, Dr. Forman and his team can help you circumvent many injuries including the ones listed in this blog.
Stretching
MLS Laser TreatmentWe are fortunate to have a state-of-the-art MLS MLS Laser machine in our Scottsdale office. These treatments have been FDA-cleared and have been found to be highly effective. Many sports players find relief with this treatment as it focuses on injured areas. Most injuries result in inflammation, a common symptom for athletes. The laser penetrates the wounded area decreasing the inflammation by burning off the dead cells and tissues. This allows for new healthy cell growth to occur. Additionally, MLS Laser is a noninvasive method to treat injured areas. Patients are able to relax while being treated and then walk away feeling some relief!
Treatments are monitored and the number of treatments depends on the injury or strain. All treatments last under 10 minutes and patients tend to leave the office feeling better after each session. A consultation with Dr. Mark Forman will determine the number of sessions needed as it is very individualized to your injury. Please contact us at Put Your Feet First to schedule an appointment!
Orthotics
Orthotics support your entire foot, with all its crevices. Although orthotics can be bought at a drugstore, those are for the average foot and person. Needless to say, they don’t help many people, as we all have different shaped and sized feet.At Put Your Feet First, Dr. Mark Forman and our specialized team uses state-of-the-art technology to scan every minute detail of your feet to create a 3D image. This image is sent to the lab in which the orthotics are created and shipped back to Dr. Forman’s office. The process is painless and brings years of support and comfort to your feet. Depending on the amount of activity you average weekly will determine the longevity of the orthotics. Our office can estimate the duration once consulting with you.
Once orthotics are placed in your shoes, you’ll never want to take them off! The support for your balance, stance, and pressure is superb allowing you to stand upright, move quickly, and swing your racket appropriately.
The reason for this is that our manufacturers utilize the best material and are equipped to customize the orthotic to your foot. Customized orthotics help decrease injuries such as plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, stress fractures, and Achilles tendonitis.
Dr. Mark Forman and others such as , have fully endorsed the use of orthotics as studies have proven their worthiness. It has been documented that orthotics provide the best support across the entire foot allowing for better balance, posture, and control.