April 2021

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear of the Achilles tendon, a band of tissue that runs along the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This type of injury can occur during forceful jumping or pivoting, when suddenly accelerating while running, or from falling or tripping. An Achilles tendon rupture is particularly common among middle-aged people who play sports as a hobby. If you have ruptured your Achilles tendon, you may feel a sudden pain in the back of the ankle or calf that subsides into a dull ache over time. You may also experience a popping or snapping sensation in the back of the leg. This is often followed by swelling in the area between the heel and the calf and difficulty walking, especially up the stairs or up a hill. If you have ruptured your Achilles tendon, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Robert Graser of Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Boerne, . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Running is excellent exercise but can be hard on your feet and ankles, especially if you are new to the sport and do not come prepared. When running, it is very important to wear the right shoes. Running shoes should fit comfortably and support the foot. Stretching your feet prior to and following a run is also suggested, as simple foot stretches can strengthen the feet, improve their flexibility and mobility, and prevent many common overuse injuries. When you begin to run, start with shorter, less intense runs and increase the length, intensity, and duration of your runs slowly over time to avoid overexertion. If you experience a foot or ankle injury, cease running for the time being and see a podiatrist who can help get you back on your feet. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Robert Graser of Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a contagious fungal infection of the skin on the feet. Sometimes, athlete’s foot can be difficult to recognize visually because it can look a lot like dry skin. Nevertheless, there are some telltale signs that indicate a tinea pedis infection. The skin of the feet will typically be very dry, especially on the soles of the feet and in the areas between the toes, and the skin may peel, crack, or blister. Athlete’s foot may also cause a scaly, itchy, red rash to develop on one or both feet. This rash might cause burning or stinging pain. Left untreated, the infection could spread to the toenails and other parts of the body. Fortunately, athlete’s foot can usually be treated with antifungal medications. If you suspect that you may have athlete’s foot, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Robert Graser from Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

Have you noticed hard, coarse bumps of skin on your feet? If so, you may have foot warts. Plantar warts are tough lumps that may appear on the bottom of the foot. The lumps are usually circular and have tiny black dots in the middle. Plantar warts are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the skin. The HPV that causes plantar warts is a contagious virus that can be picked up through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or an infected person’s skin. While plantar warts may cause discomfort or pain while standing or walking, they usually do not cause any serious complications. Typical treatments for this condition includes applying topical medications or freezing the wart off. For more information about plantar warts, please consult with a podiatrist.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Robert Graser from Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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