Jensen Beach 772.225.3668
Port St Lucie 772.337.2920
Corns & Calluses
A corn or callus is a thickening of the out layer of the skin on your foot. Corns usually grow on the top of the foot, often at the toe joint. Calluses a) spread on the bottom of the foot, b) on the outer edge of a toe c) on the heel. Corns and calluses are your body's response to friction or pressure against the skin.
Bunions
A bunion (excess or misaligned bone in the joint) is one of the most common big toe problems. In addition to causing pain, a bunion changes the shape of your foot, making it harder to find shoes that fit. Bunions usually occur at the base of the big toe. They are often caused by incorrect foot mechanics.
Warts
A wart is an infection caused by a virus, which can invade your skin through small cuts or breaks. Over time, the wart develops into a hard, rough growth on the surface of the skin. A wart will most commonly be found on the bottom of the foot, but can also appear on top. Children, teens and people with allergies or weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the wart virus.
Ingrown Nails
An ingrown toenail is the result of a nail growing into the skin around it. This often occurs at either edge of the big toe. Many times they are hereditary, passed down from parent to child. If the ingrown nail is not hereditary, it may be caused by an injury, a tight shoe fit, or faulty nail trimming.
Athlete's Foot / Fungus Toenails
Athlete's foot is caused by Fungi (microscopic organisms that invade the skin). These fungi only become active when they are exposed to the right combination of conditions - a warm humid environment, a change in the condition of the skin, or a lowering of the body's natural resistance.
Hammertoes
In general, the term "hammer-toe" describes a buckling of any of the toe joints. Joints at the end or middle of the toe as well as the joint near the ball of the foot may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a muscle imbalance, or tight tendons. Hammertoes vary in severity and in the number of joints involved.
Heel pain / Spurs
Heel pain originates deep within the foot, directly on the heel bone or within the foot's connective tissues called the fascia. A very common ailment, is that you may feel pain on the bottom or on the inside edge of your heel.
Numbness & Burning Feet
Fortunately, new treatment and therapies are achieving high rates of success in treating foot numbness and burning. We have seen the harmful impact neuropathy can have on the diabetic and non diabetic patient. We are thrilled to pass on the newest in medical treatments and nutrition therapy to our patients.
Poor Circulation
Poor circulation, resulting in reduced blood flow to the feet, restricts delivery of oxygen and nutrients that are required for normal maintenance and repair. Healing of foot injuries, infection or ulceration is affected.
Infections
Preventing foot infections is the best step toward protecting the health of your feet. A step you can take wit the help of your podiatrist. Any minor foot problem - from corns and calluses to cuts and cracks in your skin can become infected. If left untreated, infections can become life-threatening. However, prompt treatment by your podiatrist can help clear up an infection and restore your foot health.
Sports Related & Other Injuries
Many active people accept the myth, "no pain, no gain." But pain is rarely positive. It's usually a signal that something is wrong — that you may even have an activity related injury. Ignoring pain can lead to more problems.
Neuromas
This problem begins when the outer coating of a nerve in your foot thickens. This thickening is usually caused by irritation that results when two bones repeatedly rub together (often due to ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone-movement). The area between the third and fourth toes is the most commonly affected; the area between the second and third toes is another common irritation point.
Diabetic Foot Problems
Because you have diabetes, your feet have fewer defenses against everyday wear and tear. Reduced sensation may mean that you are not able to feel injuries. Reduced blood flow may prevent injuries from healing. In fact, even a minor injury may quickly progress to serious infections.
Flat Feet
If the arch of your foot loses strength, the bony framework begins to collapse, causing your foot to flatten. Like a sagging bridge, the weakness in the middle, strains the joints at both ends of your foot.
Chronic Wounds
Foot Ulcers are generally a break-down of the skin on the bottom of the foot or over a boney prominence (i.e. Bunion). They have many causes, but the most common are diabetes and vascular insufficiency. These conditions should be taken very seriously. Avoiding care can lead to infection or loss of limb. Self treatment is not recommended for this serious condition. Consultation with one of our podiatrist is a must.
Arthritis
Joint stiffness, pain or tenderness, swelling and/or redness that persists for more than two weeks — all may signal arthritis.
Plantar Fasciitis
An inflammation on the bottom of the foot that leads to heel and/or arch pain. A variety of foot injuries or improper foot mechanics can lead to plantar fasciitis. Treatments range from icing and foot exercises to the prescription of custom orthotics to correct the foot position and help alleviate pain.
Shin Splints
Pain on either side of the leg bone caused by muscle or tendon inflammation. Shin splints are related to excessive foot pronation, but also may be related to a muscle imbalance between opposing muscle groups in the leg. Proper stretching before and after exercise and corrective orthotics for pronation can help prevent shin splints.
Stress Fractures
Incomplete cracks in bone caused by overuse. With complete rest, stress fractures in toes or any bones of the foot heal quickly. Extra padding in shoes can help prevent the condition. Left untreated, stress fractures may become complete bone fractures, which require casting and immobilization.