Items filtered by date: May 2025

Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the underside of the heel bone, often due to long-term strain on foot muscles and ligaments. They commonly develop along with plantar fasciitis, especially in people who spend a lot of time on their feet, wear unsupportive shoes, or have flat feet or high arches. Symptoms include sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially when standing up in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time. While heel spurs themselves may not always cause pain, the inflammation around them often does. The area may feel tender or appear swollen. A podiatrist can diagnose heel spurs with a physical exam and X-rays. Treatment options include stretching exercises, orthotic inserts, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. Surgery is rarely needed, but may be considered in severe cases that do not respond to conservative care. If you have ongoing heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat heel spurs.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Jon McCreary, DPM from Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cracked heels can be more than just a cosmetic concern. They may signal an underlying nutritional issue, particularly a vitamin deficiency. Vitamins play an essential role in maintaining skin health and elasticity. When the body lacks essential nutrients, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and certain B vitamins, the skin may become dry, rough, and prone to cracking. These deficiencies affect the skin's ability to repair itself and retain moisture, which leads to fissures around the heels. People with poor diets or malabsorption issues are at greater risk. In addition to moisturizing and wearing supportive footwear, addressing any nutritional shortfalls through diet or supplements may help improve the condition of the heels. Cracked heels can be uncomfortable and unsightly. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, which may include prescribed medication.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Jon McCreary, DPM from Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Losing weight can bring noticeable changes to your feet, including a potential shift in shoe size. As body weight decreases, the pressure placed on the feet is reduced, which can lead to a decrease in foot width or length. This change may allow the arch to rise slightly, altering the overall shape of the foot. Greater foot stability often follows, as there is less strain on the joints and connective tissues. However, a reduction in muscle mass during weight loss may also affect the support and structure of the foot. It is important to monitor how your shoes fit and adjust footwear choices as needed to maintain comfort and support. If you have foot pain from an increased or decreased foot size, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for treatment.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jon McCreary, DPM from Fort Worth Podiatry. 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 our office located in Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A hammertoe develops when the middle joint of one of the smaller toes bends downward, often due to muscle and tendon imbalances in the foot. It is commonly linked to wearing high-heeled or narrow shoes. People with long toes, flat feet, bunions, or a family history of foot deformities may also be more likely to have a hammertoe. Early symptoms include discomfort, swelling, and the formation of corns where the toe rubs against footwear. A podiatrist can examine the foot and use imaging tests to determine if the toe is still flexible or has become rigid. For flexible hammertoes, medical treatment may include switching to shoes with a wide toe box or using custom orthotic devices to support the foot and relieve pressure. When the deformity becomes fixed or painful, surgery may be recommended. Procedures to restore alignment include tendon lengthening, tendon transfer, or arthrodesis, which involves removing part of the joint to fuse the bones and straighten the toe. If you experience pain from a hammertoe deformity, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for regular treatment.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.