Preventing foot injuries while running begins with choosing the right shoes. Proper footwear provides the support and cushioning needed to absorb impact and reduce strain. It is important to replace running shoes regularly, as worn-out soles and padding lose their protective qualities over time. Some runners may also benefit from wearing custom orthotics, which can offer added support and correct foot alignment issues. Taking time to re-tie shoelaces before each run ensures a secure fit that prevents unnecessary movement and friction. Incorporating stretching into your routine, both before and after running, helps maintain flexibility and prepares the muscles and tendons for activity. If you enjoy running and have sustained a foot injury, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment remedies, returning you to the enjoyment of running.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Associates of Victoria. Our doctors 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 office located in Victoria, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken toe can result from a direct injury, such as dropping something on the foot or stubbing it against a hard surface. While symptoms may include bruising, swelling, and difficulty walking, not all fractures are immediately obvious. A careful exam and imaging, such as an X-ray, are often needed to determine the extent and location of the break. Depending on the severity, treatment may involve buddy taping the injured toe to a neighboring one, using a stiff-soled shoe, or temporarily limiting activity. In more complex cases, especially if the fracture is displaced or involves a joint, further intervention may be required. Healing can take several weeks, and early care helps prevent long-term stiffness or deformity. If your toe is painful, swollen, or looks misshapen after an injury, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Associates of Victoria. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

The ankle is a complex joint made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, all working together to support movement and stability. When an injury occurs, one or more of these structures may be affected. A sprain typically involves stretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect bone to bone, often on the outer side of the ankle. Strains affect muscles or tendons, while fractures involve a break in one of the bones, such as the tibia, fibula, or talus. Swelling, bruising, and pain usually follow, as blood vessels and tissues respond to the trauma. In some cases, cartilage may also be damaged, contributing to long-term discomfort or stiffness. Understanding which structures are involved is key to guiding proper treatment and healing. If you have persistent ankle pain or limited motion after an injury, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Associates of Victoria. Our doctors 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 Victoria, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.