Items filtered by date: April 2023

Ingrown toenails are a common foot condition. They can be very painful, and treatment is often promptly sought for relief. It is defined as the nail on the big toe that grows into the skin instead of over it, and it may become infected. This can cause bleeding, and pus may drain from it. An ingrown toenail can happen from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly or from improperly trimming the toenails. This ailment may be common among athletes who can have feet that frequently sweat, and the nail may easily puncture the skin. The symptoms that many people experience with an ingrown toenail include swelling surrounding the affected toe, redness, and pain. Mild relief may be found when the foot is soaked in warm water. This also may make it easier to gently pull the skin away from the nail. If you have developed this foot condition, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can offer you permanent relief options.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Arcadia Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, Mesa, and Sun City, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Learning more about the biomechanics of the feet can be incredibly helpful for the patient trying to look after the health of their feet. For example, it might be beneficial to familiarize oneself with the phenomenon known as toe twitching. Essentially, toe twitching is similar to tremors or spasms. They may occur for a variety of reasons. Toe twitches may happen to an individual when they experience interruptions in the circulatory system, joints, or muscles. Fortunately, many patients are pleased to learn that most symptoms associated with toe twitching are not long-lasting. Rather, they may be notably fleeting. However, medical attention may be sought when twitching lasts longer than usual or is accompanied by more serious symptoms. To learn more about how the feet work, it is suggested that you reach out to a podiatrist who can help teach you how to best care for the health of your feet. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Arcadia Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, Mesa, and Sun City, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many individuals may not already be familiar with what exactly a pressure sore is. Pressure sores can develop on the skin when pressure is applied to the surface of the skin and blood flow to the skin is reduced. As a result, a sore may develop. Pressure sores can develop all throughout the body, but they can also be particularly harmful on the heels of the feet. There are four different stages of pressure sores, each increasing in severity. Podiatrists, or foot care specialists, can help identify pressure sores on your feet and effectively devise a treatment plan that best suits your needs. If you are someone who thinks that you might have a pressure sore on your feet or heel, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today for medical attention and potential treatment. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Arcadia Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, Mesa, and Sun City, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing orthotics can help a variety of foot conditions. Orthotics are custom-made inserts for your feet that are worn in shoes. They can be effective in managing the symptoms of specific foot ailments, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel pain. Patients with flat feet or high arches may wear orthotics indefinitely, which might prevent these conditions from becoming worse. It is beneficial to practice stretches and exercises that can strengthen the feet. This may help to improve foot structure, and the need to wear orthotics may be eliminated. This is dependent on the reason orthotics are worn in the first place, so it is suggested that you are evaluated by a podiatrist. If you have foot pain and would like a proper diagnosis and relief options, it is suggested that you confer with this foot doctor who can determine if wearing orthotics is correct for you.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Arcadia Foot and Ankle. 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 our offices located in Scottsdale, North Scottsdale, Mesa, and Sun City, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.