Items filtered by date: October 2025

Wearing high heels may enhance height and appearance, but frequent use can lead to significant foot problems. The unnatural position of the foot places pressure on the toes and forefoot, often causing bunions and hammertoes. The elevated heel strains the Achilles tendon, leading to Achilles tendonitis, and increases tension on the plantar fascia, resulting in plantar fasciitis. Over time, these conditions can cause chronic pain and limit mobility. A podiatrist can assess the damage, relieve discomfort, and recommend supportive footwear or custom orthotics. If you have pain from wearing high heels, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on how to choose heels that are better for your feet.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Joseph M. LaCava, DPM from Arkansas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

Ankle pain while running can affect performance and increase the risk of injury, if not properly addressed. Choosing the right running shoes with good support and cushioning can help reduce stress on the joints. Learning proper running techniques, such as landing softly and maintaining good posture, helps prevent unnecessary strain. Additionally, stretching before and after running improves flexibility and reduces tightness in the muscles and tendons surrounding the ankle. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot structure, gait, and footwear to identify the source of pain and create a personalized treatment or prevention plan. If you have ankle pain and enjoy running, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, enabling you to return to running comfortably and safely.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Joseph M. LaCava, DPM of Arkansas. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries? 
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Skin splitting under the toes is a common problem that can cause discomfort and make walking difficult. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot are frequent culprits, leading to peeling, itching, and painful cracks. Excessive dryness can also weaken the skin, especially in dry environments or in those who do not moisturize regularly. Wearing ill-fitting shoes that create friction and pressure may further contribute to skin breakdown. A podiatrist can identify the underlying cause, prescribe anti-fungal medications if needed, and recommend skin care strategies and proper footwear. If you are experiencing painful splitting of the skin under your toes, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist to receive effective treatment and restore comfort to your feet.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Joseph M. LaCava, DPM of Arkansas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Hot Springs, AR . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flexible flatfoot in children occurs when the arches of the feet disappear while standing, often causing discomfort and affecting posture. This condition can limit physical activity, create pain during play or sports, and reduce basic mobility. Custom orthotics provide essential support by improving foot alignment, reducing strain, and promoting healthy development. They help children move with greater comfort and confidence, encouraging an active lifestyle. A podiatrist can evaluate your child’s foot health, design custom orthotics, and provide guidance on footwear and exercises to support growth. If your child has flexible flat feet, and is experiencing foot pain or mobility issues, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist for help in improving their comfort, preventing future problems, and supporting their overall health.

Custom orthotics are specialized shoe inserts created to support and align the feet according to each person’s unique structure and walking pattern. They are an effective way to relieve foot discomfort caused by conditions such as flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel pain. When the natural alignment of the foot is off balance, it can lead to pressure points, strain, and pain that affect how a person stands, walks, and moves. Orthotics work by redistributing weight evenly and supporting the arch to reduce stress on the muscles, tendons, and joints of the feet and lower legs.

Foot discomfort can develop for many reasons, including wearing improper footwear, long hours of standing, repetitive motion, or underlying structural problems. Over time, this discomfort can extend beyond the feet, contributing to knee, hip, or lower back pain. Custom orthotics help correct these issues by improving alignment and promoting more efficient movement. They are made using precise measurements and imaging to ensure the best fit for each patient, providing targeted support and cushioning where it is needed most.

Unlike generic insoles, custom orthotics are durable, medically designed, and tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are managing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking better comfort and stability, orthotics can make a noticeable difference in how your feet feel throughout the day.

If you are experiencing persistent foot discomfort or fatigue, it may be time to have your feet evaluated by a podiatrist. Call our office today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Hot Springs, AR . 

Cracked heels can be especially concerning for people with diabetes, because reduced blood flow and nerve damage often affect their feet. When circulation is impaired, the skin on the heels may become dry and fragile, increasing the chance of splits that can deepen into painful fissures. Nerve damage may also cause numbness, so when cracks become infected or begin to ulcerate, they may go unnoticed. This delay in detection of cracked heels increases the risk of serious complications, including slow healing wounds that can threaten overall foot health. Factors like being overweight, prolonged standing, and wearing open-back shoes or flip-flops can place added pressure on the heels, making existing cracks worse. A podiatrist can identify early warning signs, assess the extent of nerve and vascular involvement, and provide treatment to help protect the feet from further damage. If you have diabetic foot problems, including cracked heels, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist for help in managing complications of this serious condition.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Joseph M. LaCava, DPM from Arkansas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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