Alaa Hamdy

Author name: Alaa Hamdy

Growing pains, the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain, may affect your children causing pain in the extremities. Learn more about it.

Is Growing Pains real?

Does your child complain of pain in his feet without any apparent reason? Does the pain increase at night and your child wakes up because of it? Have your friends told you that growth spurts are the cause? Is this real? It’s true that it’s called “growing pains,” but are they caused by growth spurts? Learn about “growing pains” and if it affects your child. What are “growing pains”? Growing pains affect children and cause cramps or pain in the extremities. It is the most common cause of pain in your child’s musculoskeletal system, affecting both legs and occurring at night. This usually affects children between the ages of 3 and 12. While it stops in adolescence. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with growth spurts or your baby’s development. The reason for the name goes back to an old belief that bones grow faster than tendons which causes pain. Is there a real cause of growing pains? The cause of the growing pains is not clear. Some children feel pain after running and playing a lot. However, many causes may increase the pain in some children, such as: Muscle fatigue: More physical activity than usual can cause more muscle pain in some children. Poor posture: sitting or walking incorrectly leads to more stress than usual on the body’s supporting muscles. Emotional: Stress or unhappiness. What are the symptoms? Growing pains often occur in the late evening or before bedtime and may wake a sleeping child. The pain is in the thighs, legs, or behind the knees. The pain is in the muscles and does not include the joints. Symptoms of growing pains can come and go after months or even years. Symptoms include: Muscle pain in both legs, usually in the calf, behind the knee, and in front of the thigh. Moving the feet does not make the pain better or worse, which indicates that the joints are not affected. Sometimes, pain in the arm muscles. The child may complain of a headache. The pain is characterized by: Come and go. Gets worse during the night. Disappears in the morning. Does not cause lameness and does not make running difficult. Growing pains treatment You can visit Health and Style Medical Center to consult a doctor and make sure that there is no other cause for the pain. Things that may help your child control growing pains include: Hugs and reassurance that the pain will go away and their legs will look normal by morning Massage the painful area. Heat treatment such as warm baths and warm compresses. Give him medicines that reduce pain, such as paracetamol. Do not give your child aspirin. Increase physical activity. Wear orthotics if your child has flat feet. Avoid telling the child that the pain is related to play or growth, otherwise the child may feel afraid of both and will not live his life normally. Finally, you should know that growing pains do not affect the way you walk or run. If your child is limping or complaining of pain during the day or his leg hurts when touched, you should consult a podiatrist to find out the real reason.

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Man assessing a bunions and hammertoes or bone growth at the base of the big toe on a woman patient in a close up on her foot on red background

Bunions and hammertoes… What’re the differences?

Are you walking wrong? Do you feel that the toe has swollen or that the foot has changed shape? Some foot deformities such as bunions and hammertoes may occur as a result of walking wrong. Tight shoes or standing for a long time might exacerbate pain. Bunions of the foot and hammertoe are common problems that may affect both feet! So, you need to know more about these distortions… What are bunions and hammertoes? A bunion develops on the outside of the big toe as a result of years of pressure on the big toe joint. This pressure eventually causes the toe joint to rebel and create a bony spur. Mallet toe is a progressive symptom and may involve one or more toes. In this case, the toe is bent downward instead of lying flat on the floor. It often causes a lot of pain and eventually you may not be able to move the affected toe. What are the symptoms? A bunion becomes red and swollen and may resemble a turnip in shape. Other symptoms include: Inability to bend the big toe. Feeling of pain and burning when trying to bend the injured finger. Difficulty wearing normal shoes. Corns Numbness in the big toe. Hammertoe. Therefore, hammertoes may be a complication of foot bunions. Other symptoms of hammertoe include: Stiffness of the toe joint. Pain is usually at the top of your bent toe and may be in the ball of the foot. Corns and calluses at the top of the affected finger joint. Redness, inflammation or a burning sensation. Finger movement is affected. Joint swelling. What is the treatment? There is no cure for bunions and hammertoes. However, the podiatrist at Health and Style Medical Center can create an appropriate treatment plan for you to relieve and control symptoms. Treatment options include: Bandages: Over-the-counter bunion pads can relieve pain. You can also use medical tape to keep the foot in the correct position. Change of shoes: Wearing wide shoes can take pressure off your toes. For more tips for choosing the right shoes. Orthotics: Shoe inserts can help control alignment problems. You can also place a spacer between the big toe and the second toe. Steroid injections may ease the pain and swelling. Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery if other treatments don’t help and walking becomes too painful. Can bunions and hammertoes be prevented? Prevention is key to controlling bunions and hammertoes. It will help to wear shoes that fit properly and provide proper support and cushioning. High heels and tight shoes should be avoided as they can exacerbate the problem. Exercise to strengthen the feet and toes can also be helpful.

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Close up of man with broken leg in cast on couch at home. sports injury concept. Leg cast and toes after injury fracture, dislocation, sprain. Human healthcare and medicine concept. Fractures and sprains.

Fractures and sprains! What’s the difference?

Have you ever experienced a fracture or sprain? Did they inform you that extreme pain indicates a fracture? In fact, a fracture is not always the reason. Both fractures and sprains may cause nearly equal amounts of pain! These are frequent injuries that can impact the body’s bones, ligaments, and soft tissues. So, what is the difference between them? What is the difference between fractures and sprains? Fractions Fractures affect the bones of the body. There are many different types of fracture and no two fractures are the same. Common causes of fractures are car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Overuse can also lead to stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bones. Symptoms may include: Bone deformity Swelling or pain Muscle spasm Weak sensation Impaired mobility Sprains Sprains occur when a joint becomes too stressed, overextended, or even torn by the supportive ligaments that hold bones together and keep them in place. The severity of a sprain varies according to the severity of the condition. For example, in the case of a mild sprain, the ligament is stretched, but the joint remains stable. A moderate sprain, however, causes the ligaments to be partially torn and may affect joint stability. In the case of a severe sprain, the ligaments can tear almost completely, which may require surgery to repair them. Although they vary in severity, all sprains usually cause pain, swelling, bruising, and inflammation. Even if it’s just a stretch in the ligaments, it interferes with the joint’s working mechanism. The ankle is the joint most commonly sprained, and the risk of a sprained ankle increases if you’ve had a previous sprain. Is there a difference in treatment for fractures and sprains? If you have a fracture, you should consult a doctor. The doctor may ask you to take x-rays for a proper diagnosis, and you will need to wear a splint or cast. Manage the symptoms using the PRICE method. If you have a sprain, the PRICE method will also help. It includes: Protection to avoid further injuries. Rest, avoid exercise and reduce activity. You can use crutches to avoid bearing weight on the affected side. Order the crutches that you need from Al thiqa Pharmacy. Ice: Apply for no more than 20-30 minutes at a time and be sure to put a barrier between the ice and the skin such as a light towel. Compression by wrapping a compression bandage around the affected area. Remember that if you feel numbness or a tingling sensation, then it is too tight. Elevate the affected area and keep it above the level of the heart as much as possible to help reduce swelling. You can use pain relievers to relieve the pain. Can fractures and sprains be prevented? While it’s impossible to predict injuries, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or prevent them from happening in the first place, for example: Maintain a healthy weight. Being physically fit. Doing daily stretching exercises. Wear appropriate shoes and appropriate equipment for different activities and sports. Eat a balanced diet that contains calcium and vitamin D. Warm up before any physical activity. Rearrange the furniture in the house to make it safer and to help prevent falls. Avoid exercising if you feel very tired or in pain. Ask your podiatrist about using arch supports in your shoes if you have flat feet.

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Woman having a physiotherapy session at a clinic. Plantar fasciitis treatment concept.

What are Plantar fasciitis treatment options?

Suffering from heel pain? It could be plantar fasciitis, which is one of the most common causes of heel pain. But you can usually relieve the discomfort by following a few simple steps. And, in most cases, it won’t be necessary to see a doctor. The following are some plantar fasciitis treatment options. What is plantar fasciitis? The plantar fascia is like a thick rubber band. It runs from the heel to the ball of your foot and toes, connecting them. This is why it forms an arch on your heel. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this thick band. What is the treatment for plantar fasciitis? You should not ignore symptoms or foot pain, because the more persistent the symptoms and the greater the pain, the longer the treatment will take. Some people, such as athletes, may need a prolonged treatment period. Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes: Physical therapy and stretching: the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon should be stretched. A physical therapist can demonstrate stretching exercises that you can do at home many times each day. These exercises will also help you stabilize your ankle. Modifying your activity: Your doctor may advise you to reduce the distance and duration of walking or running. Orthotics such as arch support or another orthotic device to support the heel. You can also use athletic tape to support muscles and ligaments or wear night splints to keep your feet straight while you sleep. Shockwave Therapy: Helps relieve pain and speed up recovery time. Steroid injections: If symptoms persist after two months of treatment, your doctor may recommend steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Surgery: In some severe cases, the patient may need to undergo surgery. Tips that will help you relieve the pain You can do some tips to reduce the pain like: Take a pain reliever medication such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Rest your foot as much as possible. Wear shoes with proper support and cushioning. Put an ice pack on your foot for 10 to 20 minutes. You can visit a podiatrist at Health and Style Medical Center to help you develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. This will help you feel better as soon as possible, and get your health back on track.

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White Snow Flakes on White Sand. Cryotherapy concept.

Is Cryotherapy a treatment procedure?

Do you need to remove some warts? Did your doctor advise you to use cryotherapy? Surprised by the name and wondered how the treatment is done? know what they are. Cryotherapy is a cosmetic method that uses a very cold chemical called liquid nitrogen to get rid of skin tags and treat some sores, including viral infections such as warts or verruca. What are the side effects? First, let’s discover what cryotherapy is before learning the side effects. The treatment involves applying liquid nitrogen with a gun or pen for about 10 to 30 seconds. It causes a feeling of cold, but it is bearable. It is a safe and reliable treatment and the cosmetic result is often very good. But the result often varies depending on the nature of the skin tags, and you may need to use more than one method of treatment. It may also cause some rare side effects such as: Does it require specific care after treatment? Treatment may produce a burn-like reaction such as redness, fluid leakage, or crusting that last for a few days. So, it is normal to notice that the treated skin becomes red or swollen within 24 hours and the redness and swelling usually lasts for a few days. The degree of swelling will vary depending on the location and duration of the freeze. The healing process may take up to 6 weeks. Take a pain reliever such as paracetamol if it hurts very much. A crust will form after a few days, leaving a pinkish-tinged area that will gradually fade. Talk to your doctor if you have problems such as severe pain and swelling that don’t respond to simple pain relievers, are concerned about infection, or if you notice worrisome changes in the affected area. Book your appointment now at Health and Style Medical Center to treat warts using cryotherapy by specialized doctors.

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The man in the market measures red felt slippers. orthotics concept

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics! Have you heard this word before? Did your doctor advise you to use some orthopedic instruments? But what is it?! Orthotics refer to shoe inserts that are customized for each person and they help to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern. Orthotics used to treat various conditions of the foot and ankle. They are effective in relieving pain. What are the uses of orthotics? By adjusting the angles at which your feet touch the ground, orthotic devices make standing, walking, and running more comfortable. The orthotics in your shoes may help absorb shock, improve balance, and relieve pressure on painful areas. Therefore, the doctor may recommend the use of orthoses for many reasons, including: You can also use orthotics if you suffer from fatigue and pain in the legs, thighs, and lower back caused by abnormal foot mechanics or slight differences in the length of the legs. Are custom-made devices better? Although custom-made orthoses are much more expensive than ready-made ones, they last longer and provide more support or correction. Ready-made devices are affordable, but they are not suitable for everyone. Unsuitable devices can harm your feet health. However, in some cases, you can use an over-the-counter device such as those found in pharmacies. So yes, the custom-made orthotics are worth it, if your doctor prescribed them. How is it made? In the past, plaster molds specifically for the foot were used to make the appropriate orthotic device. Now we use modern and computerized techniques such as those found in Health and Style Medical Center to design more accurate orthodontic devices. Should I use them? Anyone can use orthopedic devices. Orthotic devices may help if you notice some symptoms such as:

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Woman in White Sweater Holding White Ceramic Mug. Cold feet in socks.

Are you experiencing Cold feet?

Do you feel cold? Do you have the feeling of walking barefoot in the snow? Cold hands and feet are a frequent problem, but should you seek medical attention? Let’s find out. What are the reasons? There are many reasons that cause cold feet. The most common cause is poor blood flow to your legs and feet. If you suffer from frequent cold feet. Cold extremities may also be a sign of more serious problems such as peripheral artery disease, rheumatic diseases, hypothyroidism, or Raynaud’s phenomenon. Raynaud’s disease is a common condition that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to become excessively narrow. Therefore, you will need to visit a doctor at Health and Style Medical Center to accurately determine the true cause and conduct the necessary tests. But why? You may notice that your feet and hands are the first to get cold while your chest and torso are still warm. Because your feet are farthest from your heart, blood takes longer to reach the ends of your body. For example, your hands and feet may take longer to warm up. Will I get cold feet? It can affect anyone, but they are more common in people who have one of the following: Are there other symptoms? Symptoms can include: What is the treatment for cold feet? There are many ways to treat cold feet. Of course, the first step will be to treat any medical conditions that cause this case as a symptom. The following steps will also help you relieve the feeling of cold: Be careful Avoid heating your feet using hot water or heating pads, as they may cause severe burns because you may need a longer time to feel the heat. A safe alternative is to wear thick socks, such as wool socks, to warm the feet.

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A Baby walker! Should I purchase it?

Your baby’s first steps are so essential and have such an emotional impact on parents that many consider purchasing a walker for their children to help them take their first steps and to watch their children play around them every day. Is the baby walker, however, genuinely safe? I am sorry to tell you that it is not safe! It is directly related to many musculoskeletal and joint problems and many accidents such as falls from stairs, head injuries, burns and fractures. It can also cause a delay in the development of the child. Finally, even its primary function is not being performed correctly because it causes a child to walk on their toes which may continue when children walk without it. All this encouraged some countries to ban them permanently. Most popular baby walker myths First: The baby walker is a safe place to put my baby for a few minutes! The truth is that putting a baby in a baby walker is very risky. The baby in the baby walker needs great attention and supervision; They allow children to move very quickly and reach a height where they can reach dangerous items such as knives or hot drinks. Second: Using a baby walker will help my child learn to walk. The fact is that there are strong links between the amount of baby walker use and the extent of developmental delays. Third: It will help your child’s development. The truth is that it causes your child’s growth retardation! Children who used a walker sat, crawled, and walked later than those who did not. Fourth: It will strengthen my child’s legs. In fact, a walker can lead to long-term changes in a child’s walking pattern and can cause hip problems in the long run. The baby walker also teaches children to run on the ground using their toes and this strengthens the wrong muscles in the legs. This can have a significant impact on balance and overall muscle and joint development, including long-term foot and ankle problems. Encourage your child to play without it Give time for your infant to grow strong muscles. Babies walk when they are ready, which is generally between the ages of 9 and 18 months. Keep in mind that using a baby walker wastes your child’s time and diverts him from things that will help him walk. So: Let your child play on his tummy on the floor. The time it takes for your baby to play on his tummy is the basic building block for all motor skills and a lack of this time can affect him greatly. Encourage him to turn around and sit down. Motivating him to crawl and push himself to stand. If you have wooden floors, lay a large, non-slip rug or rug on the floor so your child can grab onto each other. These activities will help your child to: Learn about his body Explore around Progress in walking What if? However, if you are considering purchasing a baby walker: Limit use to 10 minutes per day Watch your child closely at all times Make sure the walker is low enough that your baby can put both feet completely flat on the ground. If only his toes are touching the ground, wait until your baby is a little older.

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Young active athlete in black tracksuit stretching his right arm and leg while exercising on outdoor sportsground

Want to exercise after injury?

If you exercise, you may have had an injury or two before. Injuries are the dark side of exercising! After an injury, some people may quit exercising, while others rethink and start exercising right after recovery. However, the most difficult issue is safely returning to exercise. And, yes, exercising after injury requires certain precautions? 4 Tips for returning to exercise after injury 1.     Consult your doctor first When you are injured, you should see a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Bear in mind that each injury is unique and the treatment varies according to the needs of the body and the activities you participate in. Schedule an appointment at Health and Style Medical Center now to get help from the specialist doctor and return to get back into your activities again. 2.     Don’t rush back quickly It takes time to recover to your pre-injury fitness level. For example, if you are away from sports for a week due to a foot injury, plan to take two weeks to return to where you were before the injury. Because the healing time can affect your level more than the injury. As a result, not only do you lose strength, coordination, and flexibility at the site of the injury, but you also lose fitness. This all makes it common to recover from an injury and then get injured in a different location! For example, injury to the right knee increases the weight and load on the left side, which exposes you to another injury! 3.     Start with small goals The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step. Gradually return to exercise after injury, start with easy and simple stretching and strength exercises. Assure that you are able to do your daily activities and tasks before you start exercising. Certainly, if your knee hurts when washing dishes or climbing stairs, it will hurt if you go four miles. Before loading the joint, be sure there is no discomfort and that you have a complete range of motion. 4.     Don’t ignore the pain Pain means to many of us that we are getting better and better. Some of us even enjoy the physical and mental challenges of feeling uncomfortable when exercising, but after an injury is not the time to overcome the pain. When the movement becomes easier and the pain decreases, you can start stretching and strengthening exercises. But make sure you don’t try to do too many tasks too quickly as this may delay recovery. Start by doing a few simple repetitions of exercises before gradually increasing the amount you do.

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Man hands giving foot massage to relieve pain due to ill-fitting shoe. ill-fitting shoe problems concept

Ill-fitting shoe problems! Is it serious?

Wearing appropriate footwear regardless of their fashion preferences is one of the most common problems that confront many patients. But don’t worry, doing so will not deprive you of the chance to wear high heels to the special events. Ill-fitting shoe problems can cause many problems! Prevention is better than cure, it is important to choose suitable shoes. Fortunately, changing your shoes can lead to improvements in the overall health of your feet. What are the ill-fitting shoe problems? Do you suffer from pain in your feet? The shoe may be the problem, not your foot! For example: The shoe may cause a feeling of pressure and constant pain if it is too tight, too loose, or does not provide enough support for your feet. Your physical activity can put stress on your feet, ankles, lower legs, and other joints. It may significantly limit your activity due to sports injuries such as Achilles tendon, ingrown nails, or lower back problems. The incidence of the infection increases if your shoes are not designed for your activity or working conditions. Wearing the wrong shoes can exacerbate existing foot problems like pain or arthritis in the hips, knees, ankles, or feet. Wearing the wrong shoes for a short time can cause stress and pain to your bones and joints. Your shoes can have a big impact on the way you walk. Remember that some types of shoes, including high heels and slippers, are not suitable for different activities. So, the right shoe can help prevent, reduce or eliminate foot pain. The lack of pain has a huge impact on how easy you are to move, so find the right shoes and be active! You can read this article for tips on how to choose the right shoe to help you avoid ill-fitting shoe problems and keep your feet healthy.

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About us

The Abu Dhabi Podiatry heel pain Clinic  at Health and style Medical Center renders services to frequent patients per year. In Abu Dhabi Podiatry Clinic Diabetic foot care and general preventative care services are emphasized in the clinic while special procedures including nail and skin reconstruction are also available.

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