Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the nerves in the feet and ankles. It often leads to numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or sharp pain. As the diabetic neuropathy progresses, patients may lose sensation in their feet, making it difficult to notice cuts, blisters, or pressure sores. This can increase the risk of infections, ulcers, and, in severe cases, lead to the need for surgery. Because diabetic neuropathy cannot be reversed, early diagnosis and medical treatment are essential to slow progression and reduce complications. A podiatrist can evaluate nerve function, monitor blood flow, and help manage the effects of peripheral neuropathy in the lower limbs. Treatment may involve medication to manage pain, custom footwear to reduce pressure points, and regular professional exams to prevent complications from unnoticed injuries. Ongoing medical foot care is especially important for people with decreased sensation. If you have complications from diabetes that affect the feet, it is suggested that you schedule regular visits to a podiatrist for expert advice.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM from Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Walking and running shoes are crafted with features that support the specific movements and demands of each activity. Both types should provide a comfortable fit, breathable materials, and durable construction. Running shoes often include extra cushioning to absorb impact, especially in the heel and forefoot, where force is greatest during a run. They are usually more flexible to support a quicker, more dynamic motion. Walking shoes, on the other hand, offer stability and support for a smoother heel-to-toe stride. Their soles may be firmer to encourage proper foot alignment and reduce fatigue over time. Arch support, heel support, and proper traction are important in both styles. If you have endured a foot or ankle injury from wearing the wrong type of shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and provide further guidance on proper shoes to wear for your desired activity.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM from Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

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

Foot pain can limit daily movement and may stem from a variety of medical conditions that affect the toes, soles, and ankles. Common causes of foot pain include bunions, fallen arches, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar fasciitis. Bunions are bony growths at the base of the big toe that may lead to joint pain and swelling. A podiatrist may recommend surgery if the condition interferes with walking. Fallen arches, or flat feet, can create strain in the arch and ankle and may be managed with wearing supportive footwear and medical treatment to improve alignment. Hammertoes involve an abnormal bend in the smaller toe joints, often leading to irritation or pressure against shoes. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct this deformity. Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and sometimes infection, which may require part of the nail to be removed. Additionally, plantar fasciitis results from tiny tears in the band of tissue beneath the foot and often causes sharp heel pain. If you are experiencing foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM from Leander Foot & Ankle. 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 Leander, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing high heels may look stylish, but it can often lead to painful foot blisters. Blisters form when friction causes the layers of skin to separate, trapping fluid in between. High heels, especially those that are tight or have pointed toes, increase pressure and rubbing on certain areas of the foot, particularly the toes, heels, and balls of the feet. Symptoms include redness, tenderness, and the development of fluid-filled bumps that can make walking uncomfortable or painful. If the blister bursts, the exposed skin can sting and may be at risk for infection. A podiatrist can treat painful or infected blisters safely and recommend ways to prevent them in the future. Treatment options include padding, blister dressings, proper wound care, and advice on shoe fit and foot hygiene. Custom orthotics or cushioned inserts can also reduce pressure in problem areas. If you have foot blisters, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment to see a podiatrist who can guide you on how to prevent blisters from getting infected,  in addition to effective prevention tips.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM of Leander Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can 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.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

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

Foot wounds that do not heal properly are often a sign of underlying health issues that require medical attention. Poor circulation, commonly seen in conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease, can limit the flow of oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing. Infections can also delay recovery by causing ongoing inflammation and tissue damage. Other factors, such as repeated pressure, wearing improper footwear, or unrecognized trauma, can keep wounds from closing. Symptoms that indicate a wound is not healing include persistent redness, swelling, drainage, foul odor, or increasing pain. The appearance of black or dead tissue around the wound edges is another serious warning sign. If you have developed a foot wound that is not healing as it should, it is strongly suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause, and effectively treat cuts and wounds on the feet.

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 Afsha Naimat-Shahzad, DPM from Leander Foot & Ankle. 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 contact our office located in Leander, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.