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What are orthotics? The word comes from the Greek meaning to straighten or align. Orthotic devices are custom-made inserts that fit into your shoes to comfort and support your feet. Because they are custom-made, they are specifically designed to treat your diagnosed condition and to fit only your feet. Over-the-counter shoe inserts available at retail stores…

Well-fitting athletic shoes are a must for every sport – well, maybe not swimming! Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, board certified podiatrist, knows how important it is to choose shoes for sports carefully based on the child’s foot and the needs of each activity. Inflexible, poorly shaped shoes and those that don’t fit well restrict natural movement…

Does the heel area of your foot hurt? Is it worst when you first get up in the morning, or does the pain increase during the day? Heel pain may not be a symptom of a serious condition but the pain often interferes with your normal day-to-day activity and can prevent you from exercising. Identifying the Cause…

Every day in our Chicago office we see patients of all ages, both women and men, who come seeking relief from bunion. A bunion is a bump that forms of the joint of the big toe when the tissue or bone of this toe is pushed up against the next toe. This painful pressure is caused by genetics…

Do you have flat feet? You can find out by wetting your feet and standing on a concrete sidewalk or other surface that will show a footprint. If you can see the shape of your whole foot, then you have flat feet. Your foot’s arch has a job to absorb force during weight-bearing activities before the…

If you are planning a summer vacation trip outside the Chicago metropolitan area, you are not alone. Last Memorial Day weekend saw 37 million Americans hit the road or the runways, the highest level in 10 years (AAA). And the rest of the summer promises to equal those levels. You will probably remember to pack…

Have you noticed that one or more of your inner toes are beginning to look different? Have they become more rigid or even curled? Is it painful to wear certain shoes because the tops of the toes have begun to rub against the shoe? Are corns or calluses appearing on the toe tops? If you answer “yes”…

If your summer plans include a vacation at Silver Lake Sand Dunes or just hanging out around the pool, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen – and don’t forget to apply to feet and ankles too. Your feet are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun which are the primary cause of dangerous…

What better way to pamper yourself than to visit a nail salon or spa for a relaxing pedicure? Summer’s barefoot look calls for pretty and polished toes looking their best. The Chicago area boasts dozens of nail salons but some may be somewhat careless in cleanliness or may not use properly sterilized equipment. Stavros O. Alexopoulos,…

Have you experienced a sharp pain or swelling at the back of your heel and ankle after an exercise session? You may have an inflamed Achilles tendon, or Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles at back of your lower leg to your heel bone. With overuse, this tissue may be damaged. The fibers…