Archive for category Foot Pain
Leg or Foot Pain May Indicate Blocked Arteries
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain on January 28, 2011
When blood vessels outside the heart become narrowed or blocked, the condition is called Peripheral Vascular Disease, or PVD. This disease is usually caused by a buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the peripheral arteries.
People at greater risk of PVD include smokers, those with diabetes and people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a family history of vascular disease. Aging is another common risk factor.
The main symptom is leg pain when walking. This pain typically subsides at rest. The pain is worse when climbing stairs or walking at a faster pace. Some people experience pain at night while in bed. A symptom of severe PVD is that the pain persists even at rest, or the presence of a leg or foot cut or wound that won’t heal.
The most severe risk of PVD is loss of a limb. Unfortunately, this was the case for a young patient of mine. Another serious risk is an infection or a sore that won’t heal. Eventually this can result in a bone infection that can lead to an amputation.
PVD can be diagnosed by examining the feet and legs. There are specific signs such as a weak pulse in the ankle or foot that can indicate the disease. Other non-invasive diagnostic tests are also available to help diagnose the condition.
If PVD is considered treatable, a number of procedures may be considered. For some patients medication and exercise may be the only therapy needed. Another treatment option is a stent to prop open a blocked artery. The last option is a surgical procedure to replace the blocked artery.
To reduce the risk of PVD, people should not smoke, and should control cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. Regular exercise is a must to help small arteries enlarge, which provides an alternate pathway for blood to flow.
If you are concerned that you may have Peripheral Arterial Disease, I encourage you to come in for a PVD screening. Early detection is the key to handling this potentially serious disease. As I stated earlier, the younger population can be affected as well as the aging.
Pain in the Ball of the Foot
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain on December 22, 2010
One of the most common locations of foot pain is the ball. By the ball, I am referring to the entire pad before each toe, not just under the big toe. This area is subjected to tremendous pressure every step we take. It’s a wonder it holds up so well in spite of the abuse it takes.
Outside of an injury, the two most common conditions that affect the ball of the foot are a pinched nerve and an inflamed joint. The most common location of a pinched nerve is between the 3rd and 4th toes. The symptoms consist of aching, sharpness, burning or numbness. There are several causes of a pinched nerve including narrow shoes.
An inflamed joint on the ball of the foot is extremely common. Any joint can be affected, but the one next to the big toe is overwhelmingly the most common. Many people describe this pain as a feeling of something bunched up like their sock. A person with flat feet is most prone to this condition. Flat feet mechanically forces more weight on this joint.
Some of the other common causes of pain in the ball of the foot are wearing shoes with little cushion, extremely high arches, standing on concrete all day and wearing away of the protective foot pad. The symptoms are generally all similar including aching, throbbing, burning, sharpness and numbness.
Most conditions in the ball of the foot can be successfully treated in the office. Like many other foot problems, if left untreated, the body will compensate leading to pain elsewhere. If you experience pain in the ball of your foot, start by wearing quality, supportive shoes consistently. If the pain persists, then call my office and tell Kara you need to see me.
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain on October 26, 2010
An ingrown toenail is a painful condition characterized by the nail digging into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation and possible infection of the toe. This is a serious condition for people with impaired circulation, diabetes, or other systemic diseases.
CAUSES OF INGROWN TOENAILS:
- Heredity
- Improper nail trimming
- Trauma
- Shoe pressure
- Poor foot structure
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Trim toenails straight across as a preventative measure
- Select the proper shoe style and size
WHAT A PODIATRIC PHYSICIAN WILL DO FOR YOU:
- Perform a physical examination
- Perform x-ray evaluation when necessary
- Remove the ingrown portion of the nail
- Culture the nail
- Prescribe appropriate medications, such as antibiotics
- Perform surgical correction of the nail when indicated
Don’t Ignore That Bump on your Foot!
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain on September 25, 2010
At least once a week someone comes to see me concerned about a “bump” on their foot. The first thing I tell them is how glad i am that they didn’t ignore it. Although the vast majority of bumps aren’t anything serious, why take that chance. i know in this economy some people are putting off health concerns to save money but this isn’t the time to do so.
A bump on the foot can be many different things. some of the more common conditions are a bone spur, a fibrous mass, a ganglion cyst (fluid filled), a wart or benign fat tumor. Some are painful but none are serious. Some get treated and some we just leave alone. The most common locations for these bumps are the top of the toes, the arch and the outside top of the midfoot. Some are irritated by certain shoes and activities, especially those on top of the feet. Again, lack of pain isn’t a reason to ignore it.
Treatment can range from leaving it alone to surgically removing it. Often, a simple office procedure is all that is needed to remove the problem. If there is any question as to what it is, I will send a sample of it to a pathology lab. I am pleased to report that in almost 20 years of removing “bumps,” none have been cancerous. i hope this continues for the next 20 years.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something has to hurt to be a problem. This is certainly not the case with soft tissue and bony masses. This goes for the foot and any other part of the body. Most of us are guilty of procrastinating and worrying when all it would take is a bride visit to a specialist.
How Do I Know If My Toe Is Broken?
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain, Sports & Athletics on August 5, 2010
One of the most common injuries to the foot is a broken toe. You know, that bedpost or chair jumping out at you and smacking into a toe. The pinky toe is the one that gets it the most. Pain is immediate, followed by swelling and sometimes bruising.
So it happened… now what? Should you just leave it alone? After all, I am sure you have heard people say, “You can’t do anything about a broken toe.” I wonder who came up with that saying.
The fact is, you can do something about a broken toe, and should! first of all, you should have it examined by a Podiatrist and x-rays taken to see if it is broken. If so, the alignment of the toe and where it is broken is critical. A misaligned toe or break in the joint is not good. These can lead to long term pain and arthritis.
Broken toes can easily be treated if detected early. If you bang your toe and pain and swelling last for a few days, come in to get it checked. One of my patients waited too long and eventually needed an expensive bone stimulator and fracture shoe for eight weeks to heal the toe.
The bottom line with any foot injury is not waiting too long to have it examined. Unfortunately, even a broken toe can lay you up for a while if not detected and treated early. Most injuries can heal fast without you being inactive for a long time.