Runners should include regular stretching in their routine to help prevent injuries and support muscle recovery. The best time to stretch is after a light warmup or following a run, when muscles are more receptive. Stretching improves blood flow, increases flexibility, reduces muscle pain, enhances overall performance, and helps lower physical stress. Key areas to focus on include the feet, ankles, and the Achilles tendon. A podiatrist can assess running form, address any biomechanical concerns, and recommend personalized stretching techniques or orthotics for improved support. If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury from running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on reaching your goals by staying pain-free.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Mack Jay Groves IV, DPM of Practice. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, often caused by genetics, arthritis, or wearing tight shoes. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty wearing shoes due to the toe’s misalignment. When conservative treatments like orthotics, padding, or shoe modifications fail to relieve pain, bunion removal surgery may be recommended. This procedure realigns the toe, removes the bony bump, and corrects deformities. While bunion removal can greatly improve comfort and foot function, it carries risks such as infection, nerve damage, stiffness, or recurrence of the bunion. Recovery typically involves rest, limited weight-bearing, and targeted exercises. A podiatrist can diagnose bunions through a physical exam and X-rays, helping determine if surgery is necessary and guiding you through treatment options. If you have a painful bunion, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Mack Jay Groves IV, DPM of Practice. Our doctor 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 our office located in Covington, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The shoes we wear influence how we walk, balance, and move through daily life. In early years, flexible shoes that allow natural movement can help support developing feet. As we age, footwear with proper arch support, cushioning, and stability becomes more important. Poor shoe choices can contribute to joint strain, foot deformities, or falls, especially in older adults. Over time, unsupportive or ill-fitting shoes may alter gait patterns and affect posture, leading to discomfort in the knees, hips, or back. Choosing the right footwear can help preserve comfort and movement ability from childhood into later years. It is not only about style or fit, it is about supporting long-term mobility. If you are experiencing discomfort or noticing changes in how you walk, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Mack Jay Groves IV, DPM from Practice. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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