Items filtered by date: February 2022

If you have pain on the top or side of your toe it may be caused by a hardened growth on the skin known as a corn, or heloma. Hard corns usually form if the toe repeatedly rubs against the side or top of your shoe. Soft corns can develop between the toes as they rub against each other when you walk. Sometimes these become infected. In both cases, the culprit is likely to be shoes that are too tight or pointy, causing the friction that forms into a corn. It’s not a good idea to cut or remove a corn yourself but soaking your feet in warm water to soften it may help. Then you can use a pumice stone, or nail file, to reduce the size of the corn. One of the main things you can do is to find shoes that help to reduce the friction. They should have a wider, roomy toe box and be made of a flexible material. If you frequently develop corns, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can examine your feet, remove the corns, and offer treatment options to prevent them from recurring.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe is a common foot deformity in which one or more of the smaller toes bend downward at the middle joint. Over time, the affected joints become stiff and difficult or even impossible to move. The tops of the affected toes can develop corns, blisters, and calluses from rubbing up against your shoes, causing pain and making it difficult to find proper footwear. Hammertoe is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time when it is left untreated. When caught in its earlier stages, hammertoe can be treated with conservative methods. These include wearing comfortable, properly fitted shoes, wearing orthotic inserts, and padding the affected toes to prevent skin irritation. For more information about hammertoe, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors 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 offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When uric acid builds up in the joints, usually the big toe, it forms a very painful type of arthritis known as gout. This happens when there is too much uric acid in the blood, and the acid forms crystals around the joints causing them to be stiff, irritated and painful. The main key to preventing gout is a healthy lifestyle, which includes maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough vitamin C, and avoiding foods that are high in purines. Patients who are struggling with pain in their big toe and believe it is due to gout would be wise to consult with a podiatrist. The doctor will assist in managing the condition, as well as provide options for pain relief.   

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you feel the back of your ankle, you will notice the fibrous tissue that connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. This is known as the Achilles tendon. There are two injuries that commonly affect this tendon. The first, known as Achilles tendinopathy, occurs when there is pain on the back of the heel as a result of overuse. Common signs of Achilles tendinopathy include swelling, stiffness, and pain that is worse in the morning. The second injury is an Achilles tendon rupture or tear, which commonly occurs as a result of jumping and pivoting with a lot of force. This causes the tendon to overstretch and eventually tear. Anyone who tears their Achilles tendon will notice a severe pain and a loss of both movement and strength in the tendon. If you are experiencing pain or swelling in your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help provide a treatment option for injuries as well as ways to prevent a rupture.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.