Greg Robinson & Ibraheem Podiatry

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, making it one of the strongest and largest in the body. 
This tendon plays a pivotal role in every step we take.

Tearing it - partially or completely - will mean downtime from activity, rehabilitation … and pain.

Recreational sports account for 80 percent of Achilles tears.
Performing repetitive movements such as running, jumping, cutting, and starting and stopping quickly puts tremendous pressure on the Achilles tendon.

Overuse and “powering through” meaning continuing your sport through the discomfort don’t help matters either.

Weekend warriors between the ages of 30 and 50 are most at risk of suffering an Achilles tear.

Our Achilles tendon tightens up as we age, and proper stretching and warming-up is often neglected by players who don’t play consistently, and try to go all out immediately.

• Achilles tears can be noticed by a popping or snapping sound;
• pain and swelling in the heel area;
• a feeling of having been kicked in the calf; or
• inability to “push off” when walking.

It is preferable to prevent Achilles tears than to treat them:

• Your Achilles tendon can remain flexible as you age by stretching every day.
• Your Achilles tendon will benefit from strong calf muscles. Every day, perform calf raises standing and seated.
• If you want to increase the length or intensity of your workout, do it gradually. Take it easy at first, and don't overdo it.
• You should vary your workouts. Give your Achilles tendons a break by mixing in some low-impact exercises.
• Make sure you wear the right shoes! It is essential to have good heel cushioning.
• If you have lingering heel pain, don't ignore it.

Put your workouts on pause and schedule an appointment with our office for a thorough evaluation and treatment.
We can also assist you with a stretching/strengthening regimen and shoe selection.

Friction is not entirely a bad thing.

Friction keeps us from sliding all over the floor!

There are various problems that can arise if the feet are subjected to excessive friction. 

Skin tries to protect itself against friction forces in a few different ways, none of which are comfortable or pleasant:

• Corns are thick, hardened layers of skin that tend to push deeper into the skin and often cause you pain. When very large, with the build-up of excess hard skin, they may be raised from the skin surface.

• Calluses, like corns, are thick and hardened layers of skin, they tend to be flatter and wider. Usually, they appear on the soles or heels of the feet, where weight is directly carried.

• Blisters form between the upper layers of skin and consist of pockets of fluid.

This is all the body's way of protecting itself against friction (although blisters can also result when we get burned or frozen).

In order to properly address these problems, you need to address their causes.

In many cases, footwear is to blame.
Ensure your shoes fit well and not rub against problem areas.

In other cases, the structure of your feet may lead to excess pressure in certain areas.
Deformities such as hammertoes or bunions often create prime locations for rubbing against the insides of shoes - although you don’t have to have an obvious deformity for foot structure to be a contributing factor.

We can help you with removing your corns and callus, as well as determine what type of footwear you should wear and how to protect yourself, and potentially provide custom orthotics to shift weight away from “hot spots.”

Get in touch with us if you are experiencing persistent corns, calluses, or blisters.
We can help.

When you are experiencing persistent heel pain, there are a variety of possible causes.

One possible cause that you might not immediately consider is that your muscles/ tendons are the contributing factor,
- this being the Achilles tendon — the largest tendon in our bodies.
This tendon connects the heel bone to the calf muscles.

This tendon is normally not problematic under normal circumstances.

A tight calf muscle can cause strain in certain places.

Tight calf muscles can tug on the Achilles tendon - which already has to tolerate great forces as we walk, run, etc.
Tight calf muscles can place excess strain on associated connected tissue, this being the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes.

Straining either the Achilles tendon (known as Achilles tendinitis) or plantar fascia (plantar fasciitis) can cause heel pain.

As a result of these stresses, heel spurs may also develop.

Calf muscles may be tight because of genetic factors (inherited from family genes).

However,
It is also possible to develop tighter calf muscles over time as a result of long-term high heel use or long-term inactivity.

Tight calf muscles can usually be 'conditioned' by stretching and activity, to reduce the strain on the heel bone and surrounding tissues.

Our treatment recommendations might include stretching and exercise programs that focus on the calf muscles, shockwave therapy, as well as changes in your footwear or custom orthotics to alleviate the strain on the muscles.

You are welcome to contact us if you have questions about your treatment options for heel pain.


The sooner you address the issue, the sooner you will find relief!