Neuromas

An irritation of a nerve may produce a neuroma, which is a benign enlargement of a nerve segment, commonly found between the third and fourth toes.

Trauma, arthritis, high-heeled shoes, or an abnormal bone structure are just some of the conditions that may cause a neuroma. Symptoms such as burning or tingling in the ball of the foot or in the adjacent toes and even numbness are commonly seen with this condition. Those suffering from the condition often find relief by stopping their walk, taking off their shoe, and rubbing the affected area. At times, you may feel the pain is similar to having a stone in your shoe.



Call us with any questions or concerns about Neuromas. Your feet aren’t supposed to hurt. Call Beaver Valley Foot Clinic today at 724-375-1577!

Try a Variety of Activity to Keep your Children's Feet Healthy!

The immature bones of children are different from those of adults. The "growth plates" in children's bone do not finish closing until age 15-17 in boys and 13-15 in girls. When stressed, these plates are more susceptible to injury than the tendons and ligaments that support the joints. Ligaments tend to "give" before bones in adults.

Physicians warn repetitive overuse can cause inflammation of the growth plates. They advise parents to promote diverse physical activities for their children rather than one sport. This is especially important with individual sports such as running, gymnastics, and tennis, which require long hours of practice.

For more tips on foot and ankle safety visit http://www.bvfootclinic.com/

Regenerative Injection Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment

If you have a tendon or ligament injury and traditional methods have not provided relief, then PRP therapy may be the solution.  The procedure is less aggressive and less expensive than surgery. It will heal tissue with minimal or no scarring and alleviates further degeneration of the tissues.

Tendons and ligaments are responsible for providing motion across joints and stabilizing these joints. With chronic repetitive use, our tendons and ligaments are susceptible to injury. Because they have a relatively poor blood supply the healing process can be difficult. Eventually, small tears occur. This is referred to as tendinosis.

Traditionally, anti-inflammatory medication has been used to tendon and ligament pathology. Once the injury has progressed to the stage of tendinosis these medications are often ineffective. In addition, prolonged use of these medications is not without side effects. Cortisone injections have a potent anti-inflammatory effect and can provide considerable relief. However, they do not provide long term healing and repeated use of cortisone can actually further weaken tendons and ligaments.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an effective treatment for tendon and ligament injuries. PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets in PRP contain huge reservoirs of growth factors that promote and accelerate the healing process.

Proper Footwear for your Active Child

Improper footwear can lead to foot and ankle injuries for your active children.  The Beaver Valley Foot Clinic recognizes the importance of proper footwear, and has some tips on how to make sure your young athlete stays healthy.

Because a child's feet are constantly growing, it is important to allow at least one finger's width from the end of the longest toe when buying shoes. Remember, proper fit is very important. You can have the best shoe in the world, but if it doesn't fit right, it doesn't do its job.

In the shoe store, children should put on both shoes, with their athletic socks and the laces tied tight, for several minutes to properly check the shoes' fit. Shop for shoes in the afternoon, when the feet are naturally slightly swollen.

In young children, an "all purpose" sports shoe works well for most sports. A running-specific shoe is not suitable as an all purpose shoe; moving laterally in a running shoe is more difficult and presents greater risk of injury for children. After the age of 10, sport-specific shoes can help improve performance and protect the feet. 

Stay tuned for more tips on footwear for your active child from BVFC.