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When Foot and Heel Spurs Cause Pain

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Bone spurs are small, bony growths that develop when the body responds to stress or pressure on a bone over time. In the feet, they often form near the heel or toes due to repetitive strain, flat feet, tight calf muscles, or poorly fitting shoes. Heel spurs may develop along the underside of the heel bone where the plantar fascia attaches, sometimes linked with plantar fasciitis. Although some bone spurs cause no symptoms, others can lead to sharp or aching pain, tenderness, or inflammation, especially while walking or standing for long periods of time. Wearing proper footwear, stretching, and custom orthotics can ease discomfort by reducing pressure on the affected area. If heel or foot pain persists or worsens despite home care, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an evaluation and specialized treatment to relieve discomfort and prevent further injury.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

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

Ankle Injuries in Skateboarding

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Skateboarding puts significant stress on the ankles, making sprains one of the most common injuries in the sport. An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments stretch or tear, often during awkward landings or sudden twists. Sprains are classified by grades based on their severity, from mild stretching to complete ligament tears. Inversion injuries occur when the foot rolls inward, while eversion injuries happen when it rolls outward. Both can cause pain, swelling, and instability. A podiatrist can assess the injury, determine the grade, and develop a treatment plan that includes rehabilitation and preventive exercises. If ankle pain or instability is limiting your performance or recovery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can guide you toward effective ankle pain recovery, and safely get you back on your board.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
Ankle sprains
Broken ankles
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Preventing Falls in Older Adults and Protecting Independence

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Falls in older adults can have serious physical and emotional consequences. Many people endure foot injuries, which may cause a loss of independence. Beyond these injuries, there may be a fear of falling again or forced relocation from the home, which can cause stress for both the individual and their family. Prevention is essential, and includes exercising regularly to maintain strength and balance, reviewing medications with a doctor, scheduling routine eye exams, and removing clutter or tripping hazards from the home. A podiatrist can assess foot health, recommend supportive footwear, prescribe custom orthotics, and address balance issues that increase fall risk. If you have hurt your foot or ankle from falling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat these types of injuries and guide you on additional fall prevention tips.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
Utilizing a walker or cane
Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.

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

Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Wednesday, 05 November 2025

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek professional help and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

Gout and Its Impact on the Feet

Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Gout is a painful type of arthritis caused by the buildup of monosodium urate crystals in the joints and tissues. These crystals form when uric acid levels in the blood become too high. Contributing factors include diet, alcohol intake, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, which reduce the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid. Symptoms include sudden joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, most often affecting the big toe due to its lower temperature and reduced circulation. A podiatrist can diagnose gout through an examination and testing, then provide treatments to reduce pain, prevent future attacks, and protect joint health. If you have pain in your big toe, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

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