Items filtered by date: August 2025

Falls are a major concern for older adults and can lead to serious injuries, including fractures and long recovery times. They may be caused by age-related body changes, poor lighting, wearing unsafe footwear, slippery surfaces, and trip hazards. Medical conditions, such as diabetes, poor vision, and osteoporosis, are other factors. Foot problems like pain, deformities, or loss of sensation can further increase the risk. A podiatrist can assess foot health, recommend supportive footwear, address balance issues, and treat certain underlying conditions to improve stability. By combining proper foot care with a safe home environment, the risk of falls can be greatly reduced. If you have sustained a foot injury from falling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions.

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 one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Corns are thickened areas of skin, known as keratotic lesions, that often on the toes or soles of the feet form due to friction or pressure. They develop as a protective response to ongoing irritation from wearing tight footwear, abnormal foot structure, or repeated movement. Risk factors include foot deformities, improper shoe fit, or prolonged walking or standing. Corns may appear as hard, dry areas, soft corns between the toes, or seed corns on the bottom of the foot. They can become painful and interfere with daily activities. A podiatrist can identify the type and cause of corns and provide safe, effective treatment. If you have developed a painful corn, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective relief and prevention tips.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toenail surgery is used when conditions like ingrown, thickened, or curved toenails do not improve with routine care. A podiatrist may remove part or all of the toenail to relieve pain and reduce the chance of infection. A chemical is often applied to the nail bed to prevent regrowth of the problem area. The procedure is done under local anesthetic, which numbs the toe, and typically there are no skin incisions or stitches that are involved. After the surgery, a large dressing is applied, and patients are usually able to walk in open-toed sandals or flip-flops. Healing times vary, but most people recover within three months depending on how much of the nail is removed. Risk factors include infection, delayed healing, or nail regrowth. A podiatrist will monitor your recovery and provide dressing instructions to help ensure proper healing. If you have painful or problematic toenails, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment, which may include surgery.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, often causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. This common problem usually affects the big toe and can result from trimming toenails too short or rounding the corners, which encourages the nail to curve inward as it grows. Wearing tight shoes or socks that crowd the toes can also increase the risk. To help prevent ingrown toenails, trim your toenails straight across, avoiding rounded edges. Keep nails at a moderate length, as nails that are too short are more likely to dig into the skin. Choose shoes that provide enough room in the toe area to avoid unnecessary pressure on your nails. Keeping your feet clean and dry may also help reduce risk. If you experience ongoing discomfort or signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, it is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.