Items filtered by date: February 2018

Monday, 26 February 2018 00:00

How Do Ingrown Toenails Develop?

If you experience pain, swelling, and redness on the side of the toe, you may have an ingrown toenail. The toenail may become infected, which is often indicated by secretion of a yellow or white colored pus oozing from the affected area. Wearing shoes that fit improperly, cutting the toenails incorrectly, and toenail fungus are all possible causes of ingrown toenails. Additionally, if you have incurred an injury to the toe area, you may be susceptible to developing ingrown toenails. Preventive measures may include trimming the toenails straight across, wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit properly with enough room around the toes, and washing and drying the feet thoroughly on a regular basis. A consultation with a podiatrist is advised for proper treatment options for ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Michael T. Hames of Florence Foot Center. Our doctor 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 office located in Florence, Alabama . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot need.

Monday, 19 February 2018 00:00

All About Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis affects more than three million people each year. This ailment typically occurs when the foot’s shock absorbing ligament, also known as the plantar fascia, suffers inflammation or small tears from too much tension or stress. The ligament associated with plantar fasciitis runs across the entire bottom of the foot. However, the pain associated with this condition is usually only located within the center of the heel. Some people do tend to experience pain up into their arch, though. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a variety of occurrences such as jobs that keep people on their feet, stressful exercises, obesity, or wearing shoes with little support. Treatments for plantar fasciitis may include icing your feet, receiving cortisone injections, wearing a specialized boot, and even doing stretches. If you are experiencing any foot pain, an appointment with your podiatrist is highly advised.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Michael T. Hames from Florence Foot 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 the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Excessive running
Non-supportive shoes
Overpronation
Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

Monday, 12 February 2018 00:00

Staying Active after Foot Surgery

Joseph Jones was a 46 year old active runner, until a pain in his left heel was diagnosed as a bone spur causing him to go through surgery. During his recovery however, Jones refused to stop living an active lifestyle. Before Jones’ surgery, he had to wear a boot for three weeks. During these three weeks he performed activities such as stretching, lifting small weights, and doing sit-ups. After his surgery, Jones continued lifting weights and doing stretching exercises taught to him by his physical therapist. Aside from the activities Jones thought to do during his injury, other ideas you could partake in are as follows: yoga, exercising while sitting or lying down, using resistance bands, and exercising your legs. It is best to speak with your podiatrist before performing any of these exercises during an injury or before a surgical procedure.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Michael T. Hames of Florence Foot 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 Florence, Alabama . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Monday, 05 February 2018 00:00

A Diabetic’s Guide to Proper Foot Care

Foot problems may become more severe if you are a diabetic, and additional care must be taken to avoid complications. There are several techniques that can be practiced for optimum foot care, including checking the feet daily for any cuts or redness, cutting the toenails correctly, and washing and drying thoroughly between the toes. If the skin becomes hardened, you may consider applying a moisturizer on the top and bottom of the feet which will promote softer skin. Choosing to wear shoes that fit well will not only feel comfortable, but will be beneficial in avoiding conditions that may lead to sores and infections. When buying shoes, it’s important to make sure the toes have adequate room to move around, and choosing a shoe with a lower heel may be helpful to avoid falling. It is of vital importance that daily foot inspections be carried out. Any type of wound, especially one that is not healing, must be addressed with immediate attention. A consultation with a podiatrist is advised to learn about the importance of proper diabetic foot care.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Michael T. Hames from Florence Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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

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Items filtered by date: February 2018

How Do Ingrown Toenails Develop?

All About Plantar Fasciitis

Staying Active after Foot Surgery

A Diabetic’s Guide to Proper Foot Care

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