June 2022

Plantar fibromatosis is a fancy word for having a lump under the skin on the sole of your foot, usually right beneath the arch. The growth, called a fibroma or nodule, can be an inch in diameter. You may have one nodule or a cluster of nodules, which are considered to be benign. However, after a period of time plantar fibromatosis may begin to cause foot arch pain when you are standing and stiffness in the toes. Causes of plantar fibromatosis include heredity, long-term alcohol consumption, and repetitive foot trauma. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, and epilepsy are believed to put you at further risk for developing plantar fibromatosis. In general, it is more common among men than women. A podiatrist can perform an MRI to determine the severity of the fibroma and offer a variety of treatment options. Among them are corticosteroid injections, custom orthotics, and surgery.   

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. 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 one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are many jobs that require standing, walking, and working on the feet for the majority of the day. This can cause foot pain to develop. The feet are the foundation of the body, and it is necessary to take proper care of them. There are effective ways to help the feet to feel good and possibly avoid foot problems. These include wearing shoes that fit correctly. Many people choose to wear a shoe that is laced, which generally makes it easier to see how well the shoe fits. When insoles are added to the shoes, they may provide additional support and cushioning to get through a long day at work. Bacteria and fungal infections may develop as the shoes are worn, and it is important to wash and dry the feet thoroughly at the end of every day. People who lead a healthy lifestyle and drink plenty of fresh water may have diminished foot pain as a result of avoiding dehydration. Wearing compression socks may help to increase circulation in the legs and feet and avoid swelling and discomfort. For more information about how to keep your feet healthy while working, please confer with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. 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 one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating disease where a joint's lining (synovium) is attacked by the body’s immune system. This causes the synovium to become inflamed, which damages the surrounding tissues and ligaments. In time, this may dislocate toe joints and cause deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. Along with toe joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also occur in the ankle joint, the tarsometatarsal joints in the midfoot, and the hindfoot (heel area). While rheumatoid arthritis has no cure, a podiatrist can help treat its symptoms which, if left untreated, may inhibit a person’s ability to lead a normal life. Your podiatrist may prescribe special shoes, braces, and/or create custom orthotics to help restore functionality to the feet and ankles and relieve pain. Icing, gentle exercises, and physical therapy may also help relieve symptoms, as can corticosteroid injections. Make an appointment with a podiatrist today to begin treatment for your painful rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM of Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The foot condition that is known as flat feet is apparent as the patient stands up and the entire foot lies on the floor. The medical term for this ailment is referred to as rigid pes planus, and may cause discomfort. Most babies are born with flexible flat feet, and the arch will fully develop by approximately seven years of age. Adults that have flat feet may have inherited loose ligaments, and may have extreme flexibility throughout their body. Rigid flat foot can be the result of a problem that affects the foot structure. The reasons for this can include congenital vertical talus, in which the bones in the foot are aligned improperly. This is considered to be a rare condition the patient is born with. Tarsal coalition exists when two or more of the foot bones are fused together, and often affects the flexibility of the entire foot. The condition that is known as lateral subtalar dislocation can affect people who have a normal arch, and the bone within the arch becomes dislocated. If you have flat feet for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can accurately treat this condition.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.