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December 2020

Monday, 28 December 2020 00:00

Causes and Treatments for an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when a curved toenail grows into the skin on the sides of the nail. The toenail digs into the skin and causes pain, redness, and swelling as the skin grows around the nail. If left untreated, it can cause a bacterial infection. Ingrown toenails are often caused by trauma, tightly fitting shoes, or cutting the toenails at an angle instead of straight across. Those who notice an ingrown toenail should treat it immediately by soaking it in warm water, drying it with a towel, and bandaging it. If there is significant swelling, pain, inflammation or discharge, the toenail is likely infected. Ingrown toenails that won’t heal, occur frequently, or are infected should be looked at by a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

  • Improper toenail trimming
  • Genetics
  • Improper shoe fitting
  • Injury from pedicures or nail picking
  • Abnormal gait
  • Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Ingrown Toenails
Monday, 21 December 2020 00:00

Tips for Happy Feet

Your feet support your weight and help you move throughout the day. Taking care of your feet can play a big role in maintaining your overall health. One of the most important aspects of good foot care is making sure that the shoes you wear are comfortable, supportive, and properly fitted. The right shoes can prevent a variety of painful injuries and foot conditions. Look for shoes that protect, cushion, and support your feet, and avoid shoes like flip flops, which are often flimsy and can increase your risk of foot pain. Proper hygiene is an important part of foot health as well. Wash and thoroughly dry your feet daily to avoid fungal infections, and trim your toenails straight across and not too short to help prevent ingrown nails. For more tips on everyday foot care, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Everyday Foot Care
Monday, 14 December 2020 00:00

Understanding Orthotics

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are designed to relieve pain that is caused by a foot condition. Orthotics can help to treat a variety of ailments, such as corns and calluses, tendonitis, bunions, heel pain, and recurring stress fractures. Orthotics may also be used to help correct posture and alignment issues as needed. Types of orthotics can include prefabricated or custom orthotics, cushioned orthotics to provide shock absorption, and pressure relief orthotics that redistribute body weight across the sole of the foot. When prescribing orthotics, a podiatrist will consider a variety of factors, including existing foot conditions, foot structure, biomechanics, the type of shoes normally worn, and lifestyle factors. If you believe that orthotics may be helpful for your foot-related issues, don’t hesitate to visit a podiatrist for more information.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Foot Orthotics
Monday, 07 December 2020 00:00

Understanding Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid syndrome is a partial dislocation of the bones in the middle of the foot. While cuboid syndrome is typically the result of overuse or injury, pronated feet (feet that turn inward when walking), training on uneven surfaces, poorly fitted shoes, and climbing stairs can all be contributing factors as well . A common sign of cuboid syndrome is pain on the outside of the foot near the little toe. Pain may also be felt in the middle of the foot, or at the base of the fourth and fifth toes. Since the pain is sometimes difficult to pinpoint, cuboid syndrome is often confused with a stress fracture. Other symptoms can include difficulty walking, swelling, pain that becomes worse with weight-bearing, and increased pain when lifting the heel and pushing off the toe. If you are experiencing any pain in the foot it is highly recommended to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Cuboid Syndrome
Thursday, 03 December 2020 00:00

Arthritis Can Cause Pain in the Feet and Ankles

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

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