Ingrown Toenails
We have all made the painful mistake of trimming our nails too short at some point in our lives. Sometimes, this can really affect our foot health by causing ingrown toenails.
This happens when the nail grows downward into the skin instead of straight out, usually causing an infection. Ingrown toenails are most common on the sides of the big toe. It can also be caused by shoe pressure, injury, fungal infections, poor foot structure, etc.
Warm water soaks several times a day, properly fitted shoes and socks, and trimming nails in a straight line (rather than rounded) are ways to treat and prevent painful ingrown toenails. If there is an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. They can develop from an inherited structural defect, excess stress on your foot, or can result from an existing medical condition.
For the most part, bunions require no medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following, a podiatrist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes begin to bend outside of their normal alignment. Pressure can begin to weigh heavy on the toes as you wear shoes which is where pain and other symptoms develop.
Hammertoes typically begin with small symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In its beginning stages, hammertoes are often impressionable which means they can be controlled using minimal treatment. It is important to know the signs of hammertoes to get them evaluated early. If left untreated, hammertoes can become more firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring surgery.
Diabetic Foot Care
Daily preventative care can help you decrease your risk of developing these other serious conditions like ulcers and infections. Inspecting your feet at the end of the day to look for any abnormalities, maintaining proper hygiene, keeping your feet warm in cold weather, encouraging blood flow in the feet, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle can discourage other conditions from developing.
Warts
Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus and cause tiny cuts and breaks on the bottom of your feet.
While most plantar warts are not a major health concern, it is advised you see a doctor to have the warts examined and removed. Some symptoms include small, rough lesions on the base of the foot, calluses in one spot, and tenderness when walking or standing for long periods of time.
Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis
Heel spurs occur in at least 50% of people who have plantar fasciitis. Past treatments for heel spurs, a bony growth that begins on the front of your heel bone and points toward the arch of your foot, included surgery to remove the growth. Nowadays, surgery is rarely a treatment option and more plans for physical therapy, ice, and pain medications are used to treat heel spurs.
Neuromas
A neuroma can occur in many areas of the body when nerve tissue thickens. Morton’s neuroma is the most typical neuroma that occurs in the foot and it occurs between the third and fourth toes. Also known as an intermetatarsal neuroma, the name describes its location in the ball of the foot.
Compression and irritation typically cause the nerve tissue to thicken. This pressure creates inflammation of the nerve, ultimately causing untreatable damage to the nerves in the foot.
Foot Fractures
Since nearly one-fourth of the bones in our body are in our feet, fractures of the foot are common and rarely debilitating. There are two types of fractures. A stress fracture typically occurs in the space between the toes and middle of the foot, usually as a result of a physical activity gone awry. These fractures are only on the surface of the bone. General bone fractures extend through the bone. These injuries are usually caused by trauma to the foot.
Depending on the fracture and placement, different treatments will be discussed. Foot fractures typically heal on their own, although more serious cases may require surgery.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect your foot is fractured so treatment can begin right away.
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Plantar Wart
Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus and cause tiny cuts and breaks on the bottom of your feet.
While most plantar warts are not a major health concern, it is advised you see a doctor to have the warts examined and removed. Some symptoms include small, rough lesions on the base of the foot, calluses in one spot, and tenderness when walking or standing for long periods of time.
For more information, or to request an appointment contact us at (561) 838-7250!
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Heel Pain
Here at Ankle and Foot Center of Florida we offer services to help those patients who struggle with heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and it is our goal to help determine and treat the cause of your pain rather than simply masking your symptoms.
Whether you are struggling with plantar fasciitis, a stress fracture, tendonitis, or even a cyst, we are here to help. Once your heel pain has a proper diagnosis, we can work with you to establish a customized care plan for your treatment.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us today at (561) 838-7250.
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Ankle Replacement
For those struggling with ankle pain, it is important that you seek medical attention for a proper evaluation at Ankle and Foot Center of Florida. Our specialists are highly trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating all facets of foot and ankle pain or injury. After a thorough examination, we can begin to craft a customized treatment plan that will take your unique needs and lifestyle into account.
Surgery is typically never the first line of treatment for most conditions, but in some cases it may be necessary once conservative methods have been exhausted. Our ultimate goal is to help relieve your pain, improve mobility, and help you get back to the activities you enjoy. If you are a candidate for surgery, we may recommend a total ankle replacement. This procedure is preferable when the goal of surgical treatment is to not only eliminate pain in the ankle, but also to preserve the mobility of the joint.
Like any surgery, total ankle replacement surgery can have risks involved such as infection, damage to blood vessels or nerves, and healing complications. However, these risks are relatively rare and do not often outweigh the benefits of surgery. During your consultation we will discuss your overall health, the potential risks of surgery, and whether you are a candidate for surgical intervention.
If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain, contact our office today at (561) 838-7250 so that you can get back on your feet pain-free.
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Arthroscopy
At Ankle and Foot Center of Florida, we are proud to offer ankle arthroscopy to patients seeking ankle treatment.
What is Ankle Arthroscopy?
Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive ankle surgery that uses a fiber-optic camera to guide your surgeon in treating various ankle conditions.
If you struggle with arthritis in your ankle, an injury, infection, ankle fracture, ankle instability, or need ankle fusion surgery, an ankle arthroscopy may be recommended. Your doctor may also recommend an ankle arthroscopy to examine and repair tendons and ligaments of the ankle.
Compared to traditional ankle surgery procedures, an ankle arthroscopy can have a significantly shorter recovery time, less scarring, and faster healing.
Surgery
Before your procedure, your ankle will be marked, and anesthesia administered. The area will then be cleaned thoroughly. Sometimes a device is used to hold your ankle joint into a certain position that makes it easier to operate within.
Small incisions are made around the ankle to act as entry sites for the arthroscopic camera and small surgical instruments. The camera displays video and images onto a large screen to help guide your surgeon during the procedure.
Once your surgery is complete, sutures are placed to close the wounds and your ankle is dressed. A boot or splint may be used to help protect your ankle during recovery.
Recovery
Depending on the reason for your procedure, it may be some time before you can bear weight on your ankle, please follow your doctor’s recommendations.
It is important to keep your ankle and leg elevated during recovery. Sutures are removed in the week following surgery. Physical therapy may be encouraged to help restore range of motion and strength to your ankle.
Most patients can return to work after 2 weeks, however, it may take several weeks before you can resume high-impact activities. Your recovery time will depend on your condition and medical history.
For more information on ankle arthroscopy or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today at (561) 838-7250.
Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are unfortunately very common. These types of injuries often occur when the ligaments that support the foot or ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. This can be very painful, and can limit your ability to walk or bear weight. A sprain to the foot or ankle can happen to anyone with symptoms that can range from mild to severe depending on the injury.
When you seek treatment for a foot or ankle sprain, even if the injury is visible to the naked eye, your doctor may order imaging tests such as an x-ray, ultrasound, and/or MRI to rule out any broken bones. Broken bones in the foot or ankle can often present the same symptoms as a sprain. After testing and confirming that it is a sprain, your doctor will then perform a more thorough examination to diagnose the type of sprain and will prescribe any necessary treatment.
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Reconstructive Ankle Surgery
Surgery on the foot and/or ankles may be required in severe cases of breaks or fractures to reset the bones. Our doctors will carefully review your case and advise you on your treatment options.
Treatments for broken bones in the foot and ankle typically include rest, NSAIDs, and a cast or brace. Depending on the severity of the injury, corrective surgery may be needed to secure the bones in place for proper alignment.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect your foot or ankle is fractured or broken so treatment can begin right away.
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Shockwave Therapy
If you’ve received a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis, and conservative methods of care haven’t relieved your symptoms, you may want to consider a state-of-the-art treatment like extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EPAT), more commonly known as shockwave therapy. Aldo Gonzalez, D.P.M. and Xavier Sanchez, D.P.M., offer shockwave therapy at Ankle and Foot Center of Florida in Palm Beach Gardens. Make your appointment today by calling or clicking the online booking tool.
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