Items filtered by date: September 2021

There are many possible causes of swollen feet—ranging from mild, temporary conditions to severe medical emergencies. Here is a run-down of the top 5: 1) Trauma. After an injury, the body’s inflammatory response floods the injured area with white blood cells, antibodies, proteins, and other fluids, causing swelling and inflammation. 2) Diseases. Diseases of the heart, kidney, liver, and lymphatic system can compromise the body’s ability to pump or regulate the blood, and expel wastes, causing a build-up of fluid in various parts of the body—including the feet and legs. 3) Venous Insufficiency. Swelling in the feet and legs may occur when the venous valves—which return blood back to the heart—are damaged and dysfunctional. 4) Pregnancy. Hormonal surges and a growing uterus pressurize veins and increase water and sodium—leading to edema (swelling) in the feet, hands, and legs. 5) Inactivity. Sitting or standing still for prolonged periods of time can cause fluid to temporarily accumulate in the tissues of the feet and ankles. If your feet or ankles become swollen or painful, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. This acid can crystallize in the joints and cause symptoms like inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain. Gout can affect any joint, but frequently affects the joints of the big toe. Gout can progress into several stages. The first stage is asymptomatic hyperuricemia in which uric acid levels in the blood are elevated but do not cause any noticeable symptoms, although they may cause silent tissue damage. In the acute stage, sudden, painful gout flare ups that last between three days and two weeks can arise. The period between gout attacks is called the interval or intercritical period. If you suffer from gout it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. 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 one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

A spur is a bony growth that may develop due to repetitive irritation or stress. As its name suggests, a heel spur develops on the heel bone or calcaneus. More specifically, it typically forms in one of two places on the heel bone. An inferior calcaneal spur forms underneath the heel bone and is associated with plantar fasciitis, a common ligament injury in the foot. A posterior calcaneal spur forms on the back of the heel bone and is associated with Achilles tendonitis. Heel spurs can be asymptomatic or cause sharp pain, dull aches, stiffness, and numbness in the affected heel. Corns and calluses also often form over the affected area. If you have painful heels, please see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment. 

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Plantar warts are fleshy skin growths that form on the soles of the feet due to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the skin. These warts are usually bumps with a dry, rough surface and may resemble a callus. They can be painful if they grow in an area that is under pressure, like the ball or heel of the foot. Plantar warts are usually not a serious cause for concern, and most go away on their own eventually. However, if you have a plantar wart that is painful, uncomfortable, or has spread to other areas of your foot, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a podiatrist. While plantar warts are highly contagious, they can be prevented. To prevent an infection, you should avoid sharing personal items like shoes, socks, and towels with others and should wear shoes when walking in public areas. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.