Your feet carry you through life, bearing your full body weight with every step. When foot or ankle problems develop, they affect your mobility, balance, and quality of life. Many people ignore foot pain, assuming it will resolve on its own, but delaying treatment often allows minor issues to become serious conditions requiring extensive intervention.
Our friends at SoCal Sports Podiatry treat everything from routine nail problems to complex surgical cases affecting mobility. A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting feet, ankles, and lower legs, using both conservative treatments and surgical procedures when necessary to restore function and eliminate pain.
Condition #1: Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes sharp heel pain, especially with your first steps in the morning. The plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running along your foot’s bottom, becomes inflamed from overuse, improper footwear, or biomechanical issues.
This condition affects runners, people who stand for long periods, and those carrying excess weight. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults.
We treat plantar fasciitis through:
- Stretching exercises and physical therapy
- Custom orthotics to support your arch
- Night splints to maintain proper positioning
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections for severe cases
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Most patients improve with conservative treatment within several months, though some cases require more aggressive intervention.
Condition #2: Bunions
Bunions are bony bumps forming at the base of your big toe, causing the toe to angle toward the others. Genetics, foot structure, and tight footwear contribute to bunion development, creating pain and difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
Early-stage bunions may respond to wider shoes, padding, and orthotics. Advanced bunions causing significant pain or deformity often require surgical correction to realign the joint and remove excess bone.
We evaluate bunion severity and recommend appropriate treatments based on your pain level, activity demands, and how much the deformity affects your daily life.
Condition #3: Diabetic Foot Complications
Diabetes affects foot health through reduced circulation and nerve damage that decreases sensation. You might not feel cuts, blisters, or developing ulcers, allowing minor injuries to become serious infections.
Diabetic patients need regular podiatric examinations to catch problems early. We perform comprehensive foot exams checking circulation, sensation, skin integrity, and nail health.
Preventive care includes proper nail trimming, callus management, footwear recommendations, and education about daily foot inspections. Early intervention prevents complications that can lead to amputation.
Condition #4: Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when nail edges grow into surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection. Improper trimming, tight shoes, and injury contribute to this common problem.
Home treatments work for mild cases, but infected or recurrent ingrown nails need professional care. We can remove the problematic nail portion and, if necessary, perform procedures preventing regrowth of the affected edge.
Don’t let ingrown nails become infected. Early treatment is simpler and more comfortable than addressing advanced infections.
Condition #5: Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Overuse, sudden activity increases, and tight calf muscles can inflame this tendon, causing pain and stiffness above the heel.
Untreated Achilles tendinitis can progress to chronic degeneration or even rupture. We diagnose the condition’s severity through examination and sometimes imaging, then develop treatment plans including rest, stretching, physical therapy, and heel lifts.
Severe cases may require immobilization or, rarely, surgical repair.
Condition #6: Flat Feet And Overpronation
Flat feet lack normal arch support, often causing the foot to roll inward excessively (overpronation) during walking. This affects your entire kinetic chain, potentially causing ankle, knee, hip, and back pain.
Many people with flat feet experience no problems, but symptomatic cases benefit from custom orthotics providing arch support and controlling pronation. We create orthotics based on detailed measurements and molds of your feet.
Proper arch support improves alignment throughout your lower body, often relieving pain in multiple areas simultaneously.
Condition #7: Hammertoes
Hammertoes are deformities where toes bend at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like appearance. Tight shoes, muscle imbalances, and arthritis contribute to this condition that worsens over time.
Flexible hammertoes in early stages respond to exercises, roomier shoes, and padding. Rigid hammertoes causing significant pain may require surgical straightening.
We evaluate hammertoe severity and flexibility to recommend appropriate conservative or surgical treatments.
When To See A Podiatrist
Schedule an appointment if you experience:
- Persistent foot or ankle pain
- Swelling lasting more than a few days
- Signs of infection like warmth, redness, or drainage
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Numbness or tingling
- Changes in skin color or temperature
- Deformities affecting function
Don’t wait until foot problems severely limit your activities. Early intervention typically requires less aggressive treatment and produces better outcomes.
Maintaining Healthy Feet
Prevention begins with proper footwear, regular inspection, good hygiene, and addressing problems promptly. Your feet deserve the same attention you give to other aspects of your health.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, discomfort, or changes in appearance or function, contact our office to schedule an evaluation. We’ll examine your feet thoroughly, diagnose the underlying problem, and develop a treatment plan that gets you back on your feet comfortably.