Cracked heels develop when the skin around the heel becomes dry, thick, and less flexible. As pressure increases during standing or walking, the skin can split and form painful openings. Symptoms include dryness, rough skin, or bleeding. Causes include dry weather, prolonged standing, and inadequate moisture. Simple preventive habits can help keep heel skin stronger and more resilient daily.

Diabetes can significantly increase the risk of cracked heels because elevated blood sugar may affect circulation, nerve function, and the body’s ability to repair damaged skin. Nerve changes can reduce sensation, making it harder to notice dryness or small cracks. Reduced circulation can limit oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. Diabetes may also increase infection risk. Cracked skin can become deeper and potentially develop into a more serious wound when left untreated.

Risk factors for cracked heels include dry skin, aging, and wearing unsupportive footwear. Cold or dry weather may remove moisture from the skin and make cracking worse. A podiatrist can examine the heels, assess skin condition, and look for signs of infection. Treatment may include safely reducing thickened skin, recommending moisturizing products, and addressing pressure from footwear.

Preventing cracked heels starts with consistent foot care. Use recommended moisturizers regularly, wear supportive shoes, and avoid walking barefoot. Check your feet each day for redness, cracks, or other changes. If a crack becomes painful, swollen, or slow to heal, prompt professional evaluation is important, especially with diabetes. A podiatrist can create an appropriate care plan and monitor healing to reduce complications. If you have diabetes and have developed cracked heels, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist for effective relief tips, and guidance on diabetic foot care. 

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Summerlin Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

Neuropathy develops when nerves become damaged or stop working properly. When it affects the feet, symptoms can change how a person feels pressure, temperature, and pain. Neuropathic pain comes from damaged or irritated nerves rather than an outside injury. It can feel like burning, shooting, or stabbing pain. Some patients experience tingling or numbness instead. Even a light touch can feel painful in some cases. Symptoms can become constant or appear without an obvious trigger, making normal activities like standing and walking more difficult.

Several conditions can lead to neuropathy and nerve pain. Diabetes is a major cause because high blood sugar can damage nerves. Injuries can also harm nerves and create lasting symptoms. Certain infections can affect nerve function as well. In some patients, the exact cause of neuropathic pain is not clear. Loss of feeling in the feet deserves attention because patients might not notice cuts, pressure, or other injuries. A small foot problem can become more serious when reduced sensation prevents a patient from recognizing it. Nerve problems can also affect balance and increase difficulty with walking.

A podiatrist can evaluate the feet for signs of neuropathy and determine how nerve changes are affecting foot health. The examination can include checking sensation, skin condition, and muscle strength. A podiatrist can also assess balance and the way a patient walks. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the nerve problem. Podiatric care can focus on protecting areas with reduced sensation and addressing painful foot conditions that can become harder to detect. Regular examinations can identify wounds or pressure areas before they develop into serious complications. Care can also help patients maintain safer, more comfortable movement. If you have symptoms of neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from Summerlin Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

A baby’s feet develop best when they have room to move. Before a baby begins walking outdoors, shoes are unnecessary. In fact, bare feet allow the toes to bend and help foot muscles grow stronger on safe indoor surfaces. Socks provide warmth, but they should not squeeze the toes. Once a child starts walking outdoors, shoes protect the feet from rough ground, sharp objects, and hot surfaces. A toddler’s first pair should be light, flexible, and shaped like the child’s foot. A firm heel area can provide stability without making the shoe stiff.

Proper fit is important because babies and toddlers cannot always explain discomfort. There should be about a finger’s width of space between the longest toe and the shoe’s front. The toe box should let the toes spread without rubbing. Shoes should fit securely at the heel without pinching or slipping. Choose a flexible, non-skid sole that bends near the ball of the foot. Fasteners should keep the shoe in place during play. Parents should check the fit monthly because young feet grow quickly. Red marks, blisters, or changes in walking can signal that the shoes are too tight. Secondhand shoes can be a poor choice because they may already be shaped to another child’s foot.

Podiatric care is helpful when a child frequently trips, avoids walking, or appears to have foot pain. A podiatrist can examine a child’s feet and watch how the child stands and walks. This can identify any problems with balance, foot position, or movement. The podiatrist also can measure both feet and explain which shoe shape offers enough space and support. Some toddlers have one foot that is larger, so shoes should fit the larger foot. An exam can determine whether unusual wear patterns relate to the shoes or foot development. For guidance on proper footwear for an active toddler, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can help you to choose the right shoes for your child. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Summerlin Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It helps move the foot while taking a step, running, or jumping. Despite its strength, the tendon can rupture when it is exposed to sudden, powerful force. Achilles tendon ruptures occur in high-impact sports like football, basketball, and soccer. Athletes in their 30s and 40s can face greater risk because the tendon tissue can weaken with age while they remain active in demanding sports.

An Achilles tendon rupture can happen without warning. A sudden change in direction, awkward landing, or forceful push from the foot can place stress on the tendon. Some people have tissue changes before the injury but experience no previous pain. A rupture can leave the tendon disconnected, reducing the ability of the calf muscle to move the foot. Recovery can be lengthy because the tendon and surrounding tissues need time to heal and regain strength. Treatment can involve surgery or a nonsurgical approach, depending on the injury and the patient's activity goals.

A podiatrist can evaluate Achilles tendon pain or a suspected rupture and determine the extent of the injury. The examination can assess movement, strength, and the connection between the calf and heel. Treatment can protect the injured tendon while it heals and help restore function. A podiatrist can also discuss ways to reduce injury risk, including choosing shoes that provide proper support and are appropriate for the activity. Returning to sports requires careful planning because recovery from a rupture can take many months. If you have injured your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions. 

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Summerlin Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.