Items filtered by date: May 2025

Incorporating foot exercises into a regular routine can help runners prevent injuries by improving strength, flexibility, and balance. A simple toe stretch helps loosen tight muscles and supports flexibility in the forefoot. Ankle rotations promote mobility and help strengthen the joints, which is important for handling uneven surfaces and reducing the risk of sprains. The toe scrunch exercise, where the toes are used to grip and pull a small towel, builds strength in the intrinsic foot muscles that support the arch. Additionally,  toe tap balance exercises improve coordination and stability by engaging the muscles used for balance and control. These exercises can be done at home with little or no equipment. Regular practice helps protect against common running injuries and supports long-term foot health and performance. If you enjoy running and have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, allowing you to return to this desired activity.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Odin De Los Reyes of Connecticut. Our doctor 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 our offices located in Southbury and Farmington, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails can be painful and hard to ignore, but they are often preventable with a few simple habits. Trim your toenails straight across, not curved, and avoid cutting them too short. This helps keep the nail from growing into the skin. Wear shoes that fit well and do not squeeze the toes, as tight footwear puts extra pressure on the nails. Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent infection and skin breakdown. Avoid picking at your nails or tearing them by hand. If you have thick or curved nails, consider seeing a podiatrist for proper trimming. People with diabetes or poor circulation should be especially careful, as small problems can turn serious quickly. If you notice redness, pain, or swelling near a toenail, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

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 Dr. Odin De Los Reyes of Connecticut. Our doctor 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 our offices located in Southbury and Farmington, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken toe occurs when one of the bones in the toe fractures due to trauma or excessive pressure. This condition can result from stubbing the toe against a hard object, dropping something heavy on the foot, or repetitive stress from activities like running. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, pain, and difficulty walking. Immediate attention is important to prevent complications, such as improper healing or joint stiffness. Relief begins with rest and elevating the foot to reduce swelling. In some cases, taping the broken toe to an adjacent one provides stability. If the pain is severe or the toe appears misshapen, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Odin De Los Reyes from Connecticut. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

Chronic plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot, remains inflamed for longer than six months. It typically causes persistent heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest. Diagnosis involves a physical examination where a podiatrist checks for tenderness along the heel and arch, as well as assessing range of motion and foot structure. Imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRI scans may be used to rule out other conditions. Risk factors include having flat feet or high arches, obesity, occupations that require prolonged standing, and repetitive impact activities like running. Plantar fasciitis can be painful and may cause difficulty in completing daily activities. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Odin De Los Reyes  from Connecticut. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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