The patient hobbled into my office, clearly in pain. After she removed her right sneaker and sock, the cause was clear. Her big toe was inflamed, weeping, and warm to the touch. The diagnosis: An infected ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are one of the most common problems I treat in my foot and ankle practice. … Read more
More than two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and many are trapped in a vicious cycle when they try to lose weight. Obesity aggravates foot problems, like heel pain and flat feet. Sore feet make it hard to exercise and lose weight. And without exercise, obesity worsens and can exacerbate diabetes, heart … Read more
Ulcers, or open skin sores, can develop anywhere on the body, including the legs and feet. They may signal an underlying condition and take a long time to heal. Ulcers can be caused by an injury that breaks the skin, too much pressure from shoes that don’t fit properly, or extended periods in bed. Anyone … Read more
Unexplained foot fractures may be the first sign of osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease which affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States. Another 44 million Americans have low bone mass, putting them at risk for osteoporosis, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. The Foundation reports osteoporosis is responsible for two million … Read more
Stress fractures of the foot are becoming more common in runners, especially first-time marathoners. The popularity of marathons and half-marathons in our area attracts runners of all levels. Inexperienced runners are especially susceptible to repetitive stress injuries, including stress fractures of the foot. Often, first-time marathoners enter a race with little or improper long-distance training. … Read more
Wearing shoes is the best way to protect your family’s feet from injuries. But if your summer just wouldn’t be the same without kicking off your shoes, you can still make it a safe season. Here are a few simple tips for a safer barefoot summer. Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your … Read more
Last year, over 70,000 people nationwide were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to lawn mowers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We see too many foot injuries from power lawn mowers. The blades whirl at 3,000 revolutions per minute, yet we see patients who have been hurt while operating a mower … Read more
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to injure your Achilles tendon. “Weekend warrior” athletes who overdo it are at risk of this injury. It can even happen performing simple household tasks like climbing a ladder. The Achilles tendon is the longest tendon in the body. It runs down the back of the lower … Read more
Are fallen arches—or flat feet—a real foot problem or just a label for chronically sore feet? Fallen arches are a legitimate medical condition affecting five percent of Americans. Flat feet can be present at birth, or develop over decades of walking, running and standing, especially on hard surfaces in the workplace. There are several types … Read more
Do you ever feel burning, tingling or numbness in your feet and toes? It could be a warning sign of diabetes. These symptoms may be caused by a condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage. Neuropathy in the feet can produce permanent numbness or deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. It can … Read more