February 2025

Foot stress fractures and tendonitis are both common foot injuries, but they have distinct differences. A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse. It typically occurs in athletes or individuals who increase their physical activity suddenly. Symptoms of a stress fracture include localized pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons, often caused by overuse or wearing improper footwear. This condition leads to pain, swelling, and tenderness surrounding the affected tendon, usually felt during or after activity. While both conditions cause foot pain, a stress fracture will usually cause sharp, focused pain in the bone, while tendonitis presents with more diffuse pain around the tendon area. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

For restaurant workers, wearing the right shoes is essential for comfort, safety, and overall well-being. These workers often spend long hours on their feet, which can lead to foot pain, fatigue, and even long-term health issues if the shoes worn do not provide adequate support. Proper footwear with cushioning helps absorb shock, reducing the impact on the feet, knees, and lower back. Non-slip shoes are especially important in restaurants to prevent accidents from spills and slippery floors. Additionally, shoes that offer proper arch support and a good fit can prevent conditions like blisters, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. If you have developed foot pain from wearing the wrong shoes during the workday, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief tips, and guide you on the proper shoes to wear.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Pain in the arch of the foot can greatly impact your daily life, making it challenging to bear weight or walk. This discomfort may result from a variety of conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or overpronation. Plantar fasciitis, a common cause, involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Flat feet, or fallen arches, occur when the arch collapses, leading to pain and strain due to improper distribution of weight. Overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively during walking, can also strain the ligaments and muscles, contributing to arch pain. Additional factors such as obesity, ill-fitting footwear, and repetitive high-impact activities can worsen the issue. A podiatrist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating foot conditions, can evaluate your feet to determine the underlying cause of the pain. Treatment may include custom orthotics or specific exercises to relieve pain and improve foot function. If you are experiencing arch pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and to discuss potential treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. 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 Littlestown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, often the big toe. It typically develops in four stages, each with distinct characteristics. The first stage, asymptomatic hyperuricemia, occurs when uric acid levels in the blood are high but no symptoms appear. Over time, if untreated, it can progress to the second stage, which is the acute gout attack. This stage is marked by sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling, usually in the big toe. After the attack subsides, the condition may enter the third stage, intercritical gout, where symptoms do not occur but uric acid levels remain elevated. The final stage, chronic gout, can develop after repeated attacks, leading to joint damage and the formation of tophi, which are lumps of uric acid crystals under the skin. Common causes of gout include genetics, obesity, a diet high in purines, and certain medical conditions that affect uric acid processing. If you have severe pain in your big toe, it may indicate gout has developed, and it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can help you to manage this painful condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. 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 Littlestown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.