The choice of footwear holds particular importance for individuals working in restaurants. Restaurant workers spend prolonged hours on their feet, navigating through bustling environments, and often engaging in tasks that demand agility and stability. Wearing proper shoes is important to ensure comfort, safety, and overall well-being. Ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear can lead to various foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and joint pain, significantly impacting productivity and job satisfaction. Slip-resistant shoes are essential to mitigate the risk of slips, trips, and falls, especially in environments where spills and wet surfaces are common occurrences. Additionally, supportive shoes with cushioning and arch support can alleviate fatigue and reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries. Investing in quality footwear designed for the demands of the restaurant industry is not only a matter of comfort but also a proactive measure to safeguard the health and performance of restaurant workers. If you have developed foot pain from working in the restaurant industry, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can guide you in selecting the proper footwear.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. 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 our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Non-diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that occur on the feet of individuals who do not have diabetes. While less common than diabetic foot ulcers, they still pose significant health risks. These ulcers can develop due to things like poor circulation, trauma, pressure, or infections. People at risk include those with peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, neuropathy, or autoimmune conditions. Additionally, lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk. Non-diabetic foot ulcers often manifest as painful lesions, typically on the bottom of the foot or toes. They require prompt medical attention to prevent complications such as infection or tissue damage. Treatment may involve wound care, infection management, pressure relief, and addressing underlying conditions contributing to ulcer formation. If you have sores on your feet that won't heal, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible for a comprehensive treatment plan.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Foot nerve pain can arise from various conditions, each with its own symptoms and contributing factors. Morton's neuroma, a common cause of foot discomfort, involves the thickening of tissue around the nerves leading to the toes, resulting in sharp, burning pain, particularly between the third and fourth toes. Baxter's neuropathy, also known as entrapment of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve, occurs when the nerve becomes compressed, leading to tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in the heel or arch of the foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome, akin to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, involves compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, causing pain, burning, or tingling sensations in the ankle and foot. These conditions can be triggered by various factors, including repetitive stress, wearing improper footwear, foot deformities, or underlying medical conditions. For help managing foot nerve pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. 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 our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Skateboarding poses risks, especially for lower extremity injuries. Fractures, strains, and ankle sprains are common. These injuries can be debilitating, affecting mobility and causing long-term issues. Regardless of age or gender, skateboarders face these risks. Surprisingly, adults over 25 years old are increasingly prone to such injuries. Ankle sprains and fractures are prevalent due to falls or awkward landings. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential, sometimes requiring surgery for severe cases. To minimize lower extremity injuries, warm up before skating, stretch, and wear protective gear like knee pads and ankle braces. Practicing on safe surfaces and avoiding high-risk areas can also help. Taking precautions and caring for lower extremities is essential for preventing serious skateboarding injuries and enjoying the sport safely. If you have sustained a foot or ankle skateboard injury, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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