December 2020

Running can be a healthy activity that helps with weight loss and staying in shape. Those who are beginning to run for the first time should make sure to have running shoes that fit properly. If you are worried about a past foot or ankle injury, or you want to prevent one in the future, consult with a podiatrist for help. When starting out, ease into running by slowly increasing your pace and distance. Warming up before each run will help increase blood flow and prevent unnecessary stress and fatigue. Cooling down after a run will help bring your heart rate back to normal. As you increase your running activity, keep an eye on any wear and tear that your shoes may experience, because as the shock absorbers in the shoes weaken, the chances of injury increase. If you have any questions in regards to keeping your feet healthy while running, please consult with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Even though blisters on the feet are the body’s natural reaction to healing damaged skin, they can still cause pain and discomfort. They are defined as a small bubble of protective liquid that forms over the raw skin as the healing process occurs. The blister may remain there for several days, but will gradually drain once new skin has formed. Common reasons why patients develop blisters can include wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or from medical conditions consisting of eczema, or psoriasis. It is beneficial to wear a covering over the blister as daily activities are completed and this can help prevent the blister from popping prematurely. If you have blisters on your feet please confer with a podiatrist who can offer correct treatment and preventative methods.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The painful condition that is known as an ingrown toenail can occur from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Additional reasons why ingrown toenails develop can include genetic factors or if the toenail is improperly trimmed. The nail becomes ingrown as the outer edges of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, and this generally causes severe pain and discomfort. It may also become red and inflamed and it can be difficult to wear certain shoes. Patients may find mild relief when the affected toe is soaked in warm water, which can soften the skin to make it easier to gently lift the nail away. In severe cases the nail may become infected, and partial or total removal may be a necessary option to consider. If you have an ingrown toenail please confer with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.