Corns & Calluses
Corns and calluses are thickened layers of skin that develop over the feet because the skin is shielding itself from friction and pressure. These growths usually come from wearing shoes that are too tight or not wearing socks. Individuals with bunions or hammertoes might be at an increased risk of developing these thick growths.
Corns and calluses don’t trigger critical medical problems, but they are likely to be painfulful, particularly while taking walks. Many people will also be bothered by the physical appearance of these growths, as they appear as a hard, lifted bumps or heavy, rough sections of skin. Corns are small compared to calluses and have a hard center. They might be unpleasant or tender when pushed. Calluses are bigger and appear at the base of the feet, generally on the heel or front foot. While generally not being agonizing, they can be a cosmetic concern and really should be assessed to make sure that no problems happen.
- Trimming the excess skin
- Salicylic acid
- Antibiotics
- Shoe inserts
- Surgery
Surgical treatment is reserved for only the most unfortunate cases, and consists of solving the position of the bone that is resulting in the problem. Often, abnormal growths can be treated by wearing shoes that are suited accordingly and utilize protective pads.
Ingrown Toenails
Wearing shoes that are too tight, not trimming your nails properly and even genetics can result in ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis)—nails that grow into the skin of your toe. Ingrown toenails commonly occur on the big toe, but can also affect other toes.
The side effects of ingrown toenails can range from mild discomfort to redness, pain, itching, swelling and infections. Failure to see a podiatrist to treat this problem can lead to more serious issues. Although there are home remedies to treat ingrown toenails, if they are a chronic problem for you or you experience severe reactions, you should visit your podiatrist immediately.
To prevent ingrown toenails, we recommend that you trim your toenails regularly and correctly. Be careful not to tear the edges of your nails and avoid shoes that squeeze your toes.
Diabetic Foot Problems
People who have diabetes are at a higher risk for experiencing problems with their feet. Over fifty percent of diabetics lose feeling in their feet as a result of nerve or blood vessel injury. Diabetes slows healing and weakens the immune system; what may seem like an insignificant injury can quickly become a large problem. Simple foot and ankle injuries such as blisters or ingrown toenails may result in infection and tissue death.
It is important with regard to people having diabetic issues to have their feet examined at least one time each year to discover any problems as soon as possible. It’s also important to assess the overall health of the feet. Diabetics can help to eliminate their risk of foot abnormalities by regulating blood sugar levels, working out regularly and also wearing properly fitted footwear.
If you or a loved one has diabetes, make sure to examine your feet everyday and see your doctor consistently to ensure that you, along with your feet, continue to be healthy.
Warts
Plantar warts are non-cancerous growths that appear on the soles of the feet, resulting from the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV enters one’s body through little breaks in the skin, which generally exist below pressure points in the feet on the heels or balls.
Plenty of subjects get warts soon after going for a walk without shoes in a public spot, as the HPV virus will thrive in nice, moist surroundings. These warts display on the skin as a small, hard bump, which can be gray or brownish with well-defined boundaries. In certain clients, they’ll distress or ache when taking walks.
Plantar warts can be removed through many different non-invasive measures, including cryotherapy (freezing), laser light surgery, cantharidin, immunotherapy and medication injections. Dr. Stam will choose which treatment method option is best for you depending on your own personal circumstance.
Heel Pain
Discomfort in the heel may possibly occur due to plantar fasciitis, that involves stretches for the plantar fascia ligament over and above its boundaries. Individuals with plantar fasciitis usually experience pain in the heel, arch or back of the leg, which can be usually a whole lot worse whenever getting up after being seated for quite a while. Many people with plantar fasciitis also create bone spurs, calcium growths at the base of the heel the location where the plantar fascia pulls around the heel bone. Heel spurs are usually due to excessively use, heel spurs, stress fractures or tarsal tunnel affliction.
Supplementary treatment options, which include cortisone injections, arch assistance, and also orthotic inserts, might be suggested in conjunction with conservative strategies. Many patients enjoy extracorporeal shockwave therapies, a non-invasive operation that utilizes low energy shock wave treatments to be able to activate the recovery process. Dr. Stam determines which kind of treatment methods is most effective for each patient’s particular person predicament.
Nerve Pain
Nerve pain may very well be present in the foot as a result of harm or malfunction within the exact nerve or from force within the nerve resulting from a second affliction. A number of foot illnesses, not to mention hammertoes, bunions, corns, tumors and tarsal tunnel malady, may possibly spot demands on close by nerves and also, in consequence, cause discomfort, feeling numb, tingling and weakness from the affected area. Individuals can experience issues going for walks and often discover their daily lives are much tormented by this soreness.
Treatment for nerve pain often involves correction from the under predicament, that may entail anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, electrical stimulation or medical procedures for serious disorders.
Most subjects take advantage of a variety of remedies in order to achieve effective pain relief. Dr. Stam will develop a customized treatment approach for each patient based on his or her individual needs.
Ulceration/Wound Care
The wound may be a break in the skin or tissues that might be owing to an accident, pain, surgery, disease or a number of other factors, and often consists of bleeding, redness, swelling, ache, tenderness along with other symptoms.
Foot injuries and ulcerations are typical problems, especially in patients with diabetic issues, who often get rid of sensation in their feet and might severely injure themselves without even realizing it.
Lots of subjects having these illnesses deal with difficulty with the process of recovery for these bothersome pains and want pro care to slow up the risk of infection and promote proper healing.
Once a wound continues to be detected, it should be taken care of immediately to avoid issues from developing. Effective wound cure focuses on reducing stress in the area and getting rid of dead skin cells and tissue through a process-designated debridement. The wound is then treated and also dressed to prevent empoisonnement and promote recovery.
For more severe wounds, patients are usually necessary to use special footwear or a brace to help remedy burden and irritation to the wound.
Surgery is usually necessary in the form of skin grafts to supply medical and cosmetic medication. To prevent wounds from developing, patients should avoid walking barefoot and keep blood glucose levels under control.
Vascular Disease
What is vascular screening?
Your cardiovascular (or vascular) system is made up of arteries and smaller vessels, and it works to transport blood and oxygen around your body. Vascular screening tests for any buildup of fatty deposits in your vascular system, which can lead to serious illnesses or even death.
Your chances of vascular disease are much higher if any of the following apply to you:
- A close family member died of heart attack/stroke before age of 65
- Smokers are 3 times more likely to have a heart attack
- Long-term high cholesterol levels
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Previous cardiac event
We offer vascular testing at our office. Please call 954-458-1248 for an appointment.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a specific type of fungal infection that typically begins between the toes. A common cause of athlete's foot is sweaty feet that are confined to tight shoes for a long period of time. Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete’s foot is contagious and should be carefully monitored and treated. Athlete’s foot can easily be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection is likely to recur. Prescription medications also are available.
Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle occurs when you twist your ankle in an abnormal way causing the ligaments holding your ankle bones together to stretch or tear. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although you may just need proper rest and pain medications to heal, it is important to have the sprain looked at by a professional to determine the severity and proper treatment.
Toenail Fungus
Fungal infections in the toe or fingernails can appear as thickened, discolored, or disfigured. While it may seem like the condition is just an aesthetic concern, fungal infections can lead to worsened symptoms and pain. Diabetes, a weakened immune system, and the normal aging process are all causes associated with fungal infections. It is more likely for senior citizens and adults to develop a fungal infection as opposed to children.