Dakota Foot and Ankle Clinic

  Introduction: Haglund's Deformity, often referred to as "pump bump," is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that can cause discomfort and pain. This condition commonly affects individuals who wear high-heeled shoes or tight footwear, leading to irritation and inflammation of the bursa and Achilles tendon. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and effective strategies for treating and preventing Haglund's Deformity is crucial for those seeking relief from this challenging foot ailment. Causes and Symptoms: Haglund's Deformity is primarily caused by repeated friction and pressure on the heel, especially when wearing poorly-fitting shoes. High heels and rigid footwear can contribute to the development of this condition, as they create constant pressure on the back of the heel. Additionally, biomechanical factors such as a high-arched foot or tight Achilles tendon can increase the risk of developing Haglund's Deformity. Common symptoms of Haglund's Defo...

  What are shin splints? In layman’s terms it’s the name athletes used to refer to pain along the shin bone. Medial tibial stress syndrome or medial tibial traction periostitis is an accurate medical description of what we like to call shin splints. Medial tibial stress syndrome is the most common type of shin pain. It is an injury that generally occurs when one increases training too quickly or pushes themselves too hard too soon. Shin splints can also be brought on when the training environment changes. Switching to hard surfaces or running up hills can bring on shin splints. Too much running, sprinting, or jumping are obvious contributors and can increase pain in the shin as well. Shin splints can be treated at home with a few basic applications. Rest when you can. Ice the shin area with cold therapy and a compression wrap. Do this for 10 minutes every hour. As symptoms improve decrease treatment to 3 or 4 times a day. Other possible treatments include getting pro...

With 2018 in full swing, we can expect to see many advertisements from gyms, nutrition supplement stores and department stores head lining “a new year, a new you!” Many people focus their New Year’s resolution on weight loss and improving health. However, foot problems are often overlooked and can be a reason people drop out of their exercise regime. The reality is that exercise and healthy eating can benefit your feet immensely, so being able to continue with your exercise program is important.  Weight loss significantly reduces the stress on the feet reducing chances of bony, tendinous, and ligamentous injuries. Similarly, exercise, as simple as a daily walking routine, can also improve blood flow to the legs and feet. Furthermore, avoiding foods that can cause inflammation, such as sugar and fried foods, can help with reducing general achiness of joints, including those outside of the feet. Let me suggest five New Year’s resolutions to follow, regarding your foot h...

  Haglund’s Deformity is an enlargement on the back of the heel bone.  It often occurs in women that wear pumps and is sometimes called “pump bump.” It is caused by the shape of your foot.  You are more likely to develop Haglund’s Deformity if you have a tight Achilles tendon, high arches, or walk on the outside of your foot.  It is also common in people that wear shoes with a very firm, rigid back. The most common symptom of Haglund’s Deformity is a bump on the back of the heel along with heel pain.  Blisters may also develop. If you are experiencing pain or the bump enlarges, it is best to see Dr. Brian Gale, DPM, FACFAS.  He will be able to evaluate your feet and help determine a treatment plan that is best suited to your needs.  Contact Us at 701-255-3338 today to set up an appointment.

  Purchasing new shoes for your child may seem like a nuisance, especially when they hit growth spurts and are in need of new shoes before the old ones are even worn out. Or perhaps you have one of those kids who has half the sole worn off or a part of the shoe blown out in no time. Though shoes can be pricy, the process of purchasing a shoe should not be a headache. 1. Make sure your child is along during the shopping excursion and gets his/her feet sized. Their feet grow fast and sometimes grow more than a half a size between purchasing the last pair of shoes. 2. Different brands can vary in size, so be sure that they try the shoe on prior to purchasing as one size in one brand may not be appropriate for the next. 3. Purchase age appropriate shoes. A toddler who is just beginning to walk should have a soft soled shoe vs a hard one. Their proprioception or sense of position is highly dependent on them being able to feel the ground which is much more difficult to...

  Posterior Tibial Tendinitis is a relatively common problem of the foot and ankle. This tendon is one of the most important tendons in the leg.  It is the tendon that holds the calf muscles to the bone on the inside of the foot.  Its main functions are to support the foot when walking and hold up the arch. An acute injury or over use can cause the posterior tibial tendon to tear or become inflamed.  Once this tendon has become inflamed the arch might slowly start to fall. Symptoms of posterior tibial tendinitis include: -Pain on the outside of the ankle from the heel bone shifting.  This puts pressure on the outside ankle bone. -Pain that gets worse with high-intensity or high-impact activities.  After activity like running a person can have trouble walking or standing for a long time. -Pain or swelling along the inside of the foot and ankle right along the tendon.

  Many people often forget to check to see if they are buying a supportive shoe. Most often, people judge a shoe based on the look of it, rather than the quality (and sometimes you can have high quality and spend a lot of money but the shoes aren’t supportive). Common complaints of people when they come to our clinic are heel pain, sore arches, or achy feet. Several times, these symptoms can be improved with a supportive shoe. A common misconception is that tennis shoes (athletic shoes) are the only supportive shoe out there. Although there are tennis shoes out there that are supportive, supportive shoes are not limited to just athletic shoes. Supportive shoes come in many different styles some of which include work boots and dress shoes. For a shoe to qualify as supportive, it needs to have a stiff sole so it does not bend easily, along with good heel and arch support. At our Happy Soles shoe store, we carry many different brands including Brooks, Rocky Boots, Naots...