Items filtered by date: December 2022

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00

Pain in Various Areas of the Foot

Many people experience foot pain, and there are several areas of the foot where this can occur. These can include the heel, arch, toes, or soles of the feet, and there are various reasons for pain to develop in different parts of the foot. Pain in the big toe may indicate the painful condition that is known as gout, or it may be arthritis, both of which affect the joints. A bunion is a bump that develops on the side of the big toe and may cause pain as shoes are worn. A corn on the pinky toe is one of the most painful foot conditions there is, despite its small size. It often develops as a result of wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. There are several causes for foot pain to occur, and these can consist of standing on hard surfaces for most of the day, being overweight, or having endured a foot injury. If you have foot pain for any reason, please consult with a podiatrist, sooner rather than later, who can accurately determine the reason why and offer effective treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Redwood Podiatry Group. 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 our offices located in Eureka and Arcata, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 20 December 2022 00:00

Facts About Corns on the Feet

Corns on the feet are hard thickened dots of skin caused by pressure and friction. Corns are small dots of toughened skin, with a tiny hard kernel inside of them. They are commonly found on the toes, largely as the result of wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. The toe rubs against the side or top of the shoe and a corn begins to form. Deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes, can contribute to the formation of a corn. Wearing high heels that compress the toes and cause extreme pressure may also be a factor. Corns will not go away on their own, especially if the condition that caused them is not removed. Treating a corn yourself is not recommended, as infections can develop. Seeing a podiatrist is highly suggested instead. The podiatrist can remove the hardened skin in a safe and sterile setting and prescribe custom orthotics depending on the cause of the corns.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Redwood Podiatry Group. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

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

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors 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 Eureka and Arcata, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Corns: What Are They, and How Do You Get Rid of Them
Tuesday, 13 December 2022 00:00

Swelling as a Symptom

Swelling of any part of the body can sometimes be a clear symptom of some kind of greater problem. It might also be indicative of some kind of injury. Swelling in the feet can operate in a similar kind of way. Sometimes when an individual sprains their foot, for example, swelling can occur as a result. Swelling and bruising can often go together when they are symptoms of a foot sprain. When the feet have become swollen because of a foot sprain, one might try to remedy this problem by essentially elevating the feet. Keeping the feet raised might help in keeping the swelling down. If you want to learn more about swelling of the feet or are experiencing it yourself, contact a podiatrist today for more information.


 

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Redwood Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

  • Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
  • Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
  • Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
  • Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Eureka and Arcata, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.


 

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Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:00

Subspecialties in Podiatry

Podiatrists are foot specialists in the medical field that can help treat a wide variety of foot conditions in their patients. Podiatrists can diagnose and treat foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot, Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, and so much more. Importantly, there are many subspecialties in the field of podiatry that a podiatrist might be acquainted with. One popular subspecialty in podiatry is known as sports medicine. These podiatrists deal specifically with athletes and are very familiar with particular foot afflictions that affect this group of people. These podiatrists know a great deal about the biomechanics of the foot and rehabilitation techniques. Contact a podiatrist today with additional questions about what they do and what they specialize in. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Redwood Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Drugs
  • Orthotic inserts or soles
  • Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Read more about What is a Podiatrist?
Friday, 02 December 2022 00:00

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

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