10 Situations that Can Cause Acute Foot Pain

Here are 10 situations where everyday situations, poorly fitting shoes, health conditions such as arthritis or diabetes, can cause acute foot pain. Podiatrists are trained specialists, diagnosing and caring for problems with the feet, ankles and lower leg. Their unique training allows them to quickly diagnose, treat or perform surgery to give you relief from pain and prevent further problems.

1. Your Feet and Ankles are Often in Pain

One of the major problems is arthritis, which might also be manifested in other joints. If your feet are inflamed, tender or stiff, arthritis is probably the cause and can lead to disability. It is time to see a podiatrist, who can suggest treatments that will help relieve pain and improve joint health.

If your foot or ankle is red, swollen or you have pain walking, a podiatrist can quickly diagnose the condition and suggest treatment. Depending on the type of injury sustained, a podiatrist will give you the best solution for your problem.

2. Sprained Ankle or Broken Bone

If your foot or ankle is red, swollen or you have pain walking, a podiatrist can quickly diagnose the condition and suggest treatment. Depending on the type of injury sustained, a podiatrist will give you the best solution for your problem.

3. You are Diabetic

Unfortunately diabetes makes you more prone to foot problems, which can range from mild to extremely serious, including amputation. If you are diabetic, you should have a podiatrist examine your feet on a regular basis. A podiatrist can lower your risk of complications, keeping you safe and healthy.

4. Pain in Your Heel

Heel pain can be cause by bone growth known as a heel spur. Heel pain can also be caused by inflamed tendons. Only a foot exam performed by a podiatrist with possibly an X-ray can determine the cause.

5. You are a Runner, Jogger, or Power Walker Heel

People who run are prone to aches and pains because of the constant pounding of the feet on a hard surface. Our podiatrists can recommend the best type of shoes for your feet according to your specific activity. They can also assess your body in order to avoid potential problems.

6. Athletes’s Foot

This is a common fungal condition making the skin between your toes itchy and scaly. Improved hygiene of the feet, socks and shoes can also help. If the condition does not improve after a few weeks, visit a podiatrist. Oral prescription medication can be more effective than topical solutions.

7. Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are usually on the big toe, they are often painful, red and swollen. The nail growing under the skin can cause an infection. A podiatrist can prescribe medication or remove part of the nail to avoid future problems.

8. Corns and Calluses

When the skin builds up and thickens, corns and calluses can become painful. Cortisone injections can be used to reduce pain. Another option is to reduce the size by removing the dead skin with a scalpel. This procedure is painless as the skin is dead.

9. Painful Bunion

The big protruding bump at the base of your big toe is a bunion. Bunions need to be treated, otherwise they become worse. Padding, taping and medication are among the treatments a podiatrist can suggest. The last resort is surgery.

10. Surgery

Podiatrists perform surgery on the feet and ankles, however, surgery is usually the last treatment recommended. Some conditions do require surgery, for example, broken bones, recurring ingrown toenails and bunions.

The post Why do I need a Podiatrist? appeared first on Family Footcare.

As fall is approaching, so is the desire to change out of those open toe sandals and switch to trendy closed-toed shoes. Closed-toe shoes can leave our feet susceptible to numerous conditions such as painful corns and callouses, and pesky fungal infections.

When the temperature begins to fall, many opt for a closed toe shoe that offers more protection and warmth. However, that dark and warm place is an ideal place for bacteria to grow and fester. Keeping your feet clean and dry as well as routinely using an antifungal spray can help prevent a fungal problem before it begins.

Picking the right shoe gear is essential for optimal foot health. While those closed toe shoes provide us warmth and protection, they also tend to come with a narrow toe space. Tight footwear can decrease the blood flow to your feet. This makes it harder for your feet to stay warm and can increase the risk of frostbite or a Raynaud’s flare up. In addition, tight footwear can lead to uncomfortable ingrown nails, painful corns and callouses and increased skin irritations or ulcerations.

Some may think that fall foot care is not important, however it is just as important to care for your feet in the colder months as it is during the summer. Colder temperatures means less moisture in the air and less moisture for your skin to absorb. Dry skin is more susceptible to cracking and blisters that can lead to an increased chance of infection. Using a daily moisturizer after a bath or shower allows for the skin to soak the product in better and have a greater overall effect.

No matter the season, or change in weather, routine foot care should be performed year round.

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Did you know that falls are the number one cause of injury and death from injury amongst the elderly population? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors are at a much greater risk for falling, ultimately resulting in a more severe injury or even hospitalization. The first step for fall prevention is a routine examination of your feet.

Ignoring foot conditions such as osteoarthritis, corns & callouses, bunions and hammertoes is a significant risk factor for an unexpected fall. Foot pain makes it difficult for seniors to maintain balance and coordination when walking or even standing. There are many factors that contribute to falls, but experts say that taking the correct precautionary steps can help decrease that risk by minimizing or eliminating conditions causing foot pain.

Here are some tips on how to maintain healthy feet and ankles:

• Routinely examine your feet: Take the time to make an at home examination of your feet. Be mindful of any lumps, bumps or changes in the overall condition of your feet. If you notice any changes in your feet, have decreased sensation of your feet, or can’t thoroughly examine your feet, schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.
• Do not ignore the pain: Foot pain does not have to naturally come with age. It is important to pay attention to new aches and pain. Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to diagnose the cause of pain and get your feet back to a pain free state.
• Protect: Using accommodative devices such as insoles or padding prescribed by your podiatrist can help alleviate any discomfort you may have.

Reduced mobility can lead to reduced independence, and ultimately dramatically reduce the quality of life. Don’t let a fall be the one to rob you from independence. Take care of your feet and ankles, remember… you only get one pair!

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Signs you have frostbite vs. other cold-weather foot injuries

Frostbite is an ongoing concern for many people living in cold-weather climates. In fact, most of us New Englanders have likely had at least one experience in below-freezing conditions that have made us wonder: did I just give myself frostbite?

There is a vast range of injuries that can occur from cold-weather exposure – from mild cases of frostnip that resolve within hours to severe cases of frostbite that require amputation.

Below is an overview of how to identify and treat the most common cold-weather injuries, including frostbite, frostnip, immersion foot, and pernio.  

But before you read on, please note:

When it Comes to Cold-Weather Injuries, Time is Critical

If any numbed areas of your skin feel warm rather than cold or start to turn purple or white, get inside and begin warming treatment right away. If you are experiencing more serious symptoms, such as those of second, third, or fourth-degree frostbite – seek medical attention immediately. The sooner you can get to the emergency room, the better.

Frostnip Symptoms and Treatment

Think of frostnip as the stage just before frostbite. It is classified as a mild cold-weather injury as it does not actually freeze skin tissue the way frostbite does. As long as frostnip is treated properly, it should not result in any long-term damage.

Symptoms include:
•  Reddening or whitening of the skin
•  Burning
•  Itching
•  Pain

While you may experience some symptoms, they should resolve quickly and should not greatly increase in intensity.

Frostnip Treatment: Frostnip is treated by simply re-warming the skin. Soak the area in warm water or wrap it in a warm towel. Never use hot water directly on the affected skin as a means to re-warm as it can cause further damage. If what you are experiencing is truly frostnip, symptoms should resolve within a few hours.

If, after re-warming the skin, you experience worsening symptoms such as blistering or increased pain, it is likely the condition has advanced beyond frostnip.

Frostbite Symptoms and Treatment

Frostbite is a more severe cold weather injury that typically occurs when the skin is exposed to temperatures below 32^o F (0^o C). Factors such as lower temperatures, length of time spent in the cold, wind levels, and direct exposure to the skin can all impact the severity of a frostbite injury.

Frostbite is often diagnosed using a four-stage system, similar to that used for burns.

The four degrees of frostbite can be identified by the following symptoms:

First-Degree Frostbite: Pale skin, numbness, red and swollen skin upon warming
Second-Degree Frostbite: Skin blistering
Third-Degree Frostbite: Tissue loss, “hemorrhagic blisters” (blisters filled with blood)
Fourth-Degree Frostbite: Deep tissue loss causing gangrene

First-degree frostbite affects the superficial layers of the skin, while second-degree frostbite extends to the dermal layers, third-degree to the subcutaneous tissues, while fourth-degree frostbite can reach all the way to the muscles and bones, causing deep structural tissue loss that often requires amputation.

Frostbite Treatment: While the most serious frostbite cases may result in permanent damage, most cases resolve in about 5-30 days. Just as with frostnip, frostbite treatment involves the re-warming of the skin using a warm, never hot, water bath or towel.

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe pain as your skin starts to warm, your skin becomes hard, turns purple, stays numb, or blisters start to form.

The more serious cases may require hospitalization, removal of damaged tissue, pain medication, antibiotics, anti-clotting drugs, physical therapy, and in the most extreme cases, amputation.  

Immersion Foot Symptoms and Treatment

Immersion foot is an injury resulting from exposure to cool, wet conditions over an extended period. You may be more familiar with its nickname, “trench foot”. This phrase was coined during World War I after many soldiers developed this foot injury from standing in cold, muddy trenches for days at a time with no waterproof footwear.

Unlike frostbite, immersion foot is typically caused by conditions that are damp and cool, rather than cold, freezing, or dry.

Symptoms may include:
• Skin that turns white or red
• Numbness
• Blisters
• Pain
• Swelling

Immersion foot treatment: The key here is to clean and dry the feet quickly and then warm them slowly using warm packs. Sometimes, it takes weeks for symptoms to subside. If left untreated, long-term damage is possible, including pain due to nerve damage or Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Pernio Symptoms and Treatment

Pernio, or chilblains, is an inflammatory skin disorder that typically affects young to middle-aged women. It is caused by over-exposure to cold, damp conditions.

Symptoms include:• 
• Puffy, itchy, painful areas of affected skin
• Red or violet-colored patches on the feet or hands
• Formation of bumps
• Blistering, in more severe cases

These symptoms are a result of an abnormal inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin.

Pernio Treatment: Clean, dry, and re-warm the skin. Pernio typically resolves on its own within one to three weeks. Moving forward, the best treatment is prevention by protecting your skin from the cold.

Have questions about any of the above foot conditions or any other foot injuries?  Contact us any time and we’ll be happy to help!

Written by Emilie Higgins | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Austin Davidow, DPM

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This is time the time of the year where the temperature starts to drop and some of you notice that your toes change color. Color of the toes may be red, white or blue or all three, which I call patriotic toes. You can also develop this of the fingers. This condition can cause pain at the tips of the toes and sometimes small blisters or ulcerations if severe enough.

This is caused from vasoconstriction of the small blood vessels in the toes form the cool temperatures. This can occur while walking bare foot on the cool tiles at your house, having been outside in the cold or after walking down the frozen food isle at the local market. This is called Raynaud’s disease (primary Raynaud’s) which is not the results of an associated medical condition and affects women more than men in the 15 – 30 year old age group. The Raynaud’s phenomenon (secondary Raynaud’s) is caused by an underlying medical problem such as lupus and scleroderma and usually appears around the age of 40.

Prevention would be stop smoking, limit your caffeine intake and keep your toes and fingers warm. Treatment may vary depending on the cause. There are topical creams and oral medications which can increase the blood flow to the fingers and toes.

If you have a history of severe Raynaud’s and develop blisters, sores or ulcers on the tips of finger or toes call your doctor.

This is one case where it’s not cool to be patriotic! It’s cold!

Here are a few preventative measures to help protect your hands and feet during the cold season.

Invest in some waterproof/winterproof gloves and shoe to provide your hand’s good protection from the elements.

Get some hand warmers and feet warmers! These warmers are an absolute must-have. Activate two of them five minutes, in advance, so they’re nice and warm and then pop them inside your shoes or gloves before going out. Put them on the top part of each hand and foot rather than under. These areas bear the brunt of the cold wind. 

Consider heated insoles. Happy Hot Feet work very well. They’re remote-controlled with three different temperature settings and last all day on one charge to give an ambient heat for up to 12 hours.

For runners, bikers or any prolong activity in the cold elements, consider a pair of neoprene overshoes. Not only will they keep your feet dry, but they will also keep them warm by trapping the air inside your shoes. Combine it with a pair of good quality merino wool socks for added protection.

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Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, often at the base of the big toe. Although the big toe is the most common joint, it can also affect ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers. The pain from gout is likely to be the most severe within the first four to twelve hours of onset. After the most severe pain subsides, joint discomfort can last a few days to a few weeks.

Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint causing inflammation and intense pain. Urate crystals form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, substances that are found naturally in your body. Purines are also found in certain foods, such as steak, organ meats and seafood. Alcoholic beverages, especially beer and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar can promote higher levels of uric acid.

Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. Sometimes your body produced too much uric acid, or your kidneys excrete too little. When this happens, urate crystals are formed inciting the inflammatory process in your joints.
Risk factors include diet (meat, seafood, alcohol and sweetened drinks), obesity, diabetes, untreated high blood pressure and certain heart and kidney conditions. Other factors include family history of gout and recent trauma or surgery. Certain medications typically prescribed for organ transplant patients, such as thiazide diuretics, low dose aspirin and anti-rejection drugs also can contribute to gout flare ups. Gout is also more common in men between ages 30-50 and women after menopause.

When gout attacks become frequent, preventive medications are available. During an acute attack, anti-inflammatories such as NSAIDs are often effective in relieving the pain and swelling associated with the attack. Frequent attacks can lead to recurrent gout or advanced gout where joint erosions or tophi (urate crystals formed under the skin) can occur. Kidney stones are also common with advanced gout.

The best treatment is prevention during symptom free periods. Preventive measures include drink plenty of fluids, limit or avoid alcohol, get your protein from low fat dairy products, limit your intake of meat, fish and poultry and maintain a desired weight.

During these summer months food and alcohol can increase the risk of gout but with reasonable moderation of foods and responsible consumption of alcohol, one can still enjoy the barbecues and picnics. Contact your physician if you experience any of the symptoms discussed.

Happy Summer
James DeJesus DPM FACFAS

The post “Is Your Grilling Giving You Gout?” appeared first on Family Footcare.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 11% of the population that is diagnosed with melanoma is expected to die this year. The rate of melanoma has been rising over the last 30 years. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women. Knowing your ABCs could save your life.

Pigmented areas are commonly seen on the body and sometimes on the feet. These may be normal birthmarks or moles, or may be a form of skin cancer. The three most common forms of skin cancer on the foot are: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Malignant Melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is typically found on sun-exposed areas. It rarely spreads, rarely metastasizes, and rarely causes death. Treatment may consist of cryosurgery, laser, radiation, topical creams, or excision.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is also usually found on sun-exposed areas. They appear as thick, red scaly patches or may look like a bleeding ulcer. Treatment may consist of cryosurgery, laser, radiation, topical creams, or excision.

Malignant Melanoma is the deadliest of all the skin cancers and is nicknamed ‘’the great masquerader” since it may resemble a birthmark, mole, wart, or even bruise or blood blister. The cancer spreads as it grows beneath the surface. The characteristics to look for are the ABCDEs.

See your doctor if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit:

A = Asymmetry
One half is unlike the other half.

B = Border
An irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

C = Color
Is varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown or black, or is sometimes white, red, or blue.

D = Diameter
Melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.

E = Evolving
A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.

These three lesions can be diagnosed in the office with a simple, painless punch biopsy.
Now that you know your ABCs and use the following as a guide in prevention:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

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There have been several studies done that involved over 3000 patients that showed the majority of them were wearing improper shoes. Here are some of the findings:

• 98% of people wear shoes that are too short.
• 68% wear shoes that have an incorrect fit for depth, width and length.
• 88% of American women wear shoes that were narrower than their feet.
• 31% of men and 3% of women wore shoes that were at least 10 mm longer than their feet.

There is an average of 5 years since 26% of men and 47% of women had their foot size measured.

To ensure a proper fit, it is best to buy shoes in mid or late afternoon when your feet are slightly larger due to swelling. If you get your feet measured, I recommend that you be measured while standing to account for the changes in dimensions due to the splaying of your foot from your body weight. There should be a 10 – 20 mm space between the end of the longest toe and the shoe. Shoes should fit well and feel comfortable while wearing in the store. You do not have to wait a year to have them “broken in.”

If your foot is starting to flatten out with age, you may notice that some of your shoes that fit well in the past may feel too short. You can purchase an arch support which can raise your arch and give you more room at the end of the shoe for your toes.

Pregnant women may notice that their shoe size has increased. This is because of a yellow elastic ligament in the foot called the spring ligament which is hormonally regulated. This ligament stretches out and makes the foot more flexible to adapt to the weight gain of pregnancy. When this occurs, the foot will flatten out and get longer.

Get measured… get comfortable.

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