Items filtered by date: November 2022

When people have foot pain, they may be unaware it may be indicative of other existing issues in the body. Pain in the big toe may be the first sign of hammertoe, arthritis, gout, or an ingrown toenail. Some patients experience pain in the ball of their foot that may be a symptom of Morton’s neuroma, which affects the nerves between the third and fourth toes. Additionally, it can also happen as a result of overuse injuries where the muscles have become tense. Swelling, pain and stiffness in the front of the foot may be a symptom of the rare foot condition that is known as Freiberg’s disease. Surgery may be a necessary treatment option if the prescribed medication fails to work. Pain that develops in the arch of the foot may be a sign of flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or a possible Achilles tendon injury. If you have foot pain for any reason, a podiatrist is the type of doctor to visit who can determine if the pain indicates there may be a medical issue within the body.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Vivian C. Iwu, DPM from Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

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

The foot condition referred to as plantar fasciitis can cause severe heel pain. It affects the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and is located on the sole of the foot. Repetitive running and overuse may cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed or torn, and this often requires medical attention. Many patients notice the pain is worse in the morning after arising, and may become milder as the foot warms up while walking. This condition may occur from standing on hard or uneven surfaces for most of the day, or possibly from wearing shoes that have little or no support. Mild relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, and this may help to take pressure off of the plantar fascia. If you have heel pain, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and properly treat plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Vivian C. Iwu, DPM from Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

The feet are a complicated part of our bodies. Each foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, and many tendons, ligaments, and muscles. A variety of conditions can affect the feet and cause discomfort, which can limit mobility.  At times things happen to change the structure and mechanics of the foot and surgery may be required. Foot surgery is typically considered when more conservative approaches do not work. It is often done to reduce pain, correct a deformity, or restore foot functioning. Some examples of foot surgery include bunion surgery, hammertoe surgery, and heel surgery. If you suffer from foot pain that is not relieved by rest or a change of shoes, see a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment. Foot surgery can usually be prevented if problems are treated in a timely manner.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Vivian C. Iwu, DPM of Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

There are two bones that lie in the tendons beneath the joint in the big toe. These are known as the sesamoid bones, and their function is to help the foot to push off while walking. People who frequently run may experience a condition that is called sesamoiditis. This can happen when the sesamoid bones become inflamed from excessive pressure and the impact the bones endure while running. Symptoms that many people have with this condition can be a sudden sharp pain, which may indicate a fracture has happened. More commonly, a burning pain may occur, which may be a sign of nerve damage. Additionally, the ball of the foot can be tender while walking on it, and it may feel like there is a pebble in the shoe. Poor foot mechanics may lead to developing sesamoiditis, and the tendon that houses the sesamoid bones may be tight. This condition can negatively impact completing daily activities, and it is advised that you consult with a podiatrist if you have any of the above symptoms.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact Vivian C. Iwu, DPM of Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

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

The foot condition known as hammertoe is considered to be a deformity. It can gradually affect the entire foot and generally begins by causing the second and third toes to bend downward. The joints in the middle toe bend upward, resembling a hammer. If left untreated, it can be painful to walk, and blisters, calluses, or corns may form on top of the toes. Hammertoe is caused by genetic factors and from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely. High heels may also fall into this category of squishing the toes, so it is best to avoid high heels when you are afflicted with hammertoe. Patients can find mild relief when protective pads are worn on top of the toes and when larger shoes are worn. Certain exercises and stretches may bring strength back to the toes, and wearing orthotics may help to maintain balance. If the condition is severe, it can be unsightly and uncomfortable, and surgery may be necessary. Surgery is an effective treatment method that can permanently straighten the toes. Please consult a podiatrist who can help you determine what treatment is best for your hammertoe.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Vivian C. Iwu, DPM of Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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