Uniontown 
Connellsville 
(724) 320-2447

Blog

Reasons for Arch Pain

Arch pain is a common foot-related condition defined as discomfort or inflammation along the curved middle portion of the foot that supports body weight and movement. This area contains important muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that maintain balance and stability while walking. Causes of arch pain include plantar fasciitis, stress fractures within the foot bones, or ligament-related strains that develop from repetitive pressure. Symptoms often involve aching discomfort, tenderness, swelling, and increased pain during walking or standing. Risk factors include prolonged standing, high impact activity, poor footwear support, or abnormal foot mechanics. A podiatrist can evaluate foot structure, identify the underlying cause, and recommend supportive treatment. If arch discomfort interferes with daily movement, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Cuboid Syndrome and Lateral Foot Pain

Cuboid syndrome is a condition involving the cuboid bone in the foot, where it becomes misaligned or irritated, leading to discomfort and impaired movement. There is often pain on the outer side of the foot, especially during walking or standing, and it may be weak or difficult to bear weight. Causes can include falls, sudden missteps, or repetitive strain, while flat feet may increase stress on the area. Risk factors include athletic activity, wearing improper footwear, and previous foot injuries. A podiatrist can evaluate the condition, provide manual treatment, recommend supportive devices, and guide rehabilitation. If you have pain in this area of your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat what may be going on.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Cuboid Syndrome

Foot Care Habits for Strong and Infection-Free Feet

Practicing healthy foot care habits is essential for preventing infections and maintaining overall wellness. Washing and drying feet each day helps remove bacteria and moisture that can lead to problems, while trimming toenails properly reduces the risk of injury. Checking feet for cuts and sores allows early detection of issues before they worsen. Without proper care, conditions like fungal nail infections, ringworm, and hookworm can develop. Fungal nail infections cause thickened and discolored nails, ringworm is a contagious skin infection that creates itchy circular rashes, and hookworm is a parasitic infection that can enter through the skin. Risk factors include poor hygiene and walking barefoot in contaminated areas. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Everyday Foot Care

Running Shoes for Comfort and Performance

Choosing the right running shoes is essential for comfort, performance, and injury prevention. Start by understanding your goals and the type of running you plan to do. Knowing your arch type is important. A neutral arch provides balanced support, a low arch often leads to increased inward rolling of the foot, and a high arch may result in reduced shock absorption. Understanding your running gait also plays a key role. Neutral pronation allows even weight distribution, overpronation causes excessive inward movement, and supination results in outward rolling. Each pattern affects how your foot interacts with the ground. A podiatrist can help by evaluating your foot structure and gait to recommend proper footwear or orthotics. If you have sustained a foot injury from wearing the wrong shoes while running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions and guidance on choosing the right shoes and fit. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

  • Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
  • Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
  • Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Walking Shoes vs. Running Shoes
Connect with us