Ailments We Treat

COMMON AILMENTS OUR CLINIC TREATS

NEUROMA

  • CAUSES OF NEUROMA

    Neuromas can be caused by anything that irritates a nerve in the foot, including:

    • High heels
    • Shoes with narrow toe boxes
    • Previous foot trauma or injury
  • NEUROMA SYMPTOMS
    • Localized nerve pain, including sharp or stabbing pain
    • A burning sensation
    • Cramping
    • The sensation of something being stuck inside the ball of your foot or shoe
    • Tingling & numbness
    • Pain starts gradually & becomes more intense & persistent over time
  • TREATMENTS FOR NEUROMA

    Neuromas can respond to treatment if caught early. If not, surgery may be necessary. Mild or moderate neuromas can be treated using:

    • Changes in show wear
    • Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain
    • Cortisone injects – to shrink swollen nerves
    • Orthotic devices
    • Metatarsal pads to reduce pressure on nerves

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

  • CAUSES OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS
    • Damage to the plantar fascia ligament that supports the arch of the foot
    • Excessively rolling your feet inward when you walk
    • Repeated strain from running or wearing shoes without arch support
  • PLANTAR FASCIITIS SYMPTOMS
    • Sharp, stabbing pain in the heel
    • Usually sharpest in the morning & aches throughout the day
    • Tends to reappear after exercise or movement after long periods of sitting
  • TREATMENTS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

    There are several treatments available, but no single treatment works for everyone. Patients can reduce heel pain by following proper home care for a few months. Treatments include:

    • Anti-inflammatory medicine
    • Custom orthotics
    • Physical therapy & stretching
    • Resting & icing the foot
    • Steroid injections
    • Surgery

NAIL PROBLEMS

  • CAUSES OF NAIL PROBLEMS

    There are a variety of nail problems, including ingrown toenails & abnormally thick or crumbling nails. Problems can be caused by:

    • Foot injuries
    • Pressure from ill-fitting shoes
    • Fungal infections
    • Trimming nails too short or rounded
  • NAIL PROBLEMS SYMPTOMS
    • Yellowish fluid drainage
    • Extra skin growing around the corner of the nail
    • Pain, redness, or swelling on the sides of the nail
    • Drainage of pus can indicate an infection
  • TREATMENTS FOR NAIL PROBLEMS
    • Soaking feet daily & massaging the nail to reduce inflammation
    • Avoid repeatedly trimming the nail
    • A doctor can prescribe antibiotics & clean the ingrown part of the nail
    • Removal of all or part of the nail

WARTS

  • CAUSES OF WARTS
    • Caused by a virus which gets in the skin through small cuts
    • Warts develop into hard growths on the skin’s surface over time
    • Plantar warts develop on the bottom of the foot
    • Warts can also develop on the top of the foot
  • WART SYMPTOMS
    • Look for hard, rough growths on the feet
  • TREATMENTS FOR WARTS
    • Cryotherapy – freezing warts off with liquid nitrogen
    • Over-the-counter medication

BUNIONS

  • CAUSES OF BUNIONS
    • Abnormal bumps on the toe joints caused by pressure on the toe joints
    • Arthritis 
    • Ill-fitting shoes
  • BUNION SYMPTOMS
    • Hammer toes – claw-like or bent toes
    • Calluses & corns between the toes
    • Ingrown toenails
    • Pain, redness, or swelling of the big toe joint
    • Restricted big toe movement
    • Misshapen big toe joint
  • TREATMENTS FOR BUNIONS
    • Minor bunions – better fitting shoes or shoe inserts
    • Severe bunions – anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or surgery

HAMMER TOES

  • CAUSES OF HAMMER TOES

    Hammer toes are caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot which tightens the ligaments & causes the toes to curl down. The following factors can contribute to hammer toes:

    • Arthritis
    • Genetics 
    • Breaking or stubbing the toes
    • Nerve damage
    • Pressure from a bunion
    • A stroke
    • Ill-fitting footwear
  • HAMMER TOES SYMPTOMS
    • The signature hammer appearance of the toes
    • Corns & calluses in between or on the toes
    • Inflammation
    • Limited toe movement
    • Pain near the toe joint 
  • TREATMENTS FOR HAMMER TOES
    • Wearing better fitting shoes or custom orthotics
    • Splinting the toe
    • Surgery 

TENDONITIS

  • CAUSES OF TENDONITIS
    • Repetitive use of the muscles in the feet
    • Comes & goes quickly at first
  • TENDONITIS SYMPTOMS
    • Pain & inflammation in the Achilles tendon
  • TREATMENTS FOR TENDONITIS
    • Resting & icing the area
    • Anti-inflammatory medication
    • Strengthening exercises
    • Custom orthotics
    • A splint or brace 
    • Physical therapy

CORNS & CALLUSES

  • CAUSES OF CORNS & CALLUSES
    • Concentrated pressure on a specific area of the foot
    • Flat feet
    • Flatwear that is ill-fitting or has narrow toe boxes
    • Misalignment of the metatarsal bones
    • Overly long metatarsal bones
    • Toe deformities 
  • CORN & CALLUS SYMPTOMS
    • A thickened area on the skin with no border – feels hard, dry, or painful
    • Calluses can become discolored & separate, which can cause infection
  • TREATMENTS FOR CORNS & CALLUSES
    • Custom orthotics
    • Surgical treatment – as a last resort

Suffering From One of These Foot Ailments? Schedule Your Appointment With Foot Care Clinic by Calling 702-384-2544

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