There are 52 bones in your feet and ankles, which means that feet contain about 25 percent of the bones in our bodies. Our feet also contain about 20-25 percent of the total joints in our body; therefore, it’s not too surprising to find out that your feet and ankles are unfortunately more likely to deal with tendon and joint pain at some point, whether through injury or certain conditions such as arthritis. When pain and other foot problems arise it’s important that you have a podiatrist you can turn to.

Common Causes of Tendon and Joint Pain in the Feet

Tendons are soft tissues that connect the muscles to the bones. Everything from overuse and foot injuries to structural imbalances can lead to pain. Common causes of tendon and joint pain include:

• Tendonitis: inflammation of the tendon caused by injury or overuse
• Sprains and strains: a common but usually minor foot and ankle injury, typically caused by physical activity
• Arthritis: a chronic, progressive condition that leads to joint pain, stiffness, and damage (osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect feet and ankles)
• Obesity: being overweight or obese can also put excessive pressure on the joints and tendons of your feet and ankles, leading to pain and other problems

Treating Tendon and Joint Pain

Visiting a podiatrist is the best choice you can make if you are dealing with severe, persistent, or new foot and ankle pain. Since some conditions can get worse without proper care and rest it’s important to find out what’s causing your pain so you know how to effectively treat it.

If you are dealing with pain caused by a sports injury or strain it’s a good idea to see a medical professional so you know the extent of the injury. More severe sprains may require protective boots or crutches to reduce the amount of weight being placed on the injured ankle or foot.

Arthritis is also a surprisingly common cause of foot pain. If you notice joint pain and stiffness that affects functionality, range of motion and mobility in your feet then you could be dealing with arthritis. Since arthritis can get worse without treatment, it is important that you work with your pediatrician and a team of medical professionals to determine the best medications and course of action to help manage your foot pain and to prevent permanent joint damage.

If you are experiencing foot pain it’s important to see a qualified medical professional that can determine the best way to treat your symptoms. Call your podiatrist today for a comprehensive evaluation.

Do you have an itchy rash between your toes? You may have athlete's foot. Your McKinney & Prosper, TX, podiatrists, Drs. Eric Silvers, Dustin Lloyd, and Christopher Witt of Advanced Foot and Ankle Center offer treatments that stop the itch and other athlete's foot symptoms.

Do you have any of these athlete's foot signs and symptoms?

You may have athlete's foot if you have any of these symptoms:

• Rash: A red rash forms between your toes and may eventually spread to the soles of your feet. Blisters that weep and ooze may also appear between your toes or on your feet. In fact, the area between your toes may feel constantly moist.
• Swelling and Inflammation: Your rash may appear red and puffy.
• Itching and Other Symptoms: Itching, burning, and stinging sensations often accompany the rash.
• Skin Changes: Cracking, peeling skin can occur if you don't treat athlete's foot as soon as you notice signs of the infection.
• Foul Odor: The infection can also cause an unpleasant odor.

But I'm not an athlete! How did I get athlete's foot?

You don't have to play a sport to get athlete's foot. The fungus that causes the infection is very contagious. You can pick it up if you walk barefoot in a public locker room, shower room, or swimming area. The fungal infection can also spread between members of the same household.

What can I do to treat the infection?

It's a good idea to visit your McKinney, TX, & Prosper, TX, foot doctor if you still have athlete's foot after using over-the-counter anti-fungal products. Call your podiatrist as soon as you notice signs of athlete's foot if you have diabetes.

Your podiatrist can prescribe a topical medication that's strong enough to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin where the infection lurks.

A visit to the foot doctor can end your athlete's foot symptoms. Call your McKinney, TX, & Prosper, TX, podiatrists, Drs. Eric Silvers, Dustin Lloyd, and Christopher Witt of Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, at (972) 542-2155 to schedule an appointment.

What Are Neuromas?

You might be walking along and feel pain near the ball of your foot, like there’s a rock inside your shoe. If the ache stays with you, a condition called neuroma might be the cause. A neuroma is a growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes. Led by Dr. Silvers, Dr. Witt, and Dr. Lloyd, Advanced Foot and Ankle Center (offices in Prosper and McKinney, TX) offers treatments for neuromas. Here's all you need to know about neuromas.

Causes of Neuromas: Neuromas can have numerous causes. Some common causes of neuromas include: genetics, ill-fitting shoes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout, repetitive trauma, and pregnancy. Neuromas can also be caused by biomechanical problems, such as a bunion or foot pronation.

Symptoms of Neuromas: Normally, there are no outward signs, such as a lump, because a neuroma is not really a tumor. A neuroma is a painful condition. There may be a sharp, burning pain or numbness in your toes or ball of your foot.

Diagnosis of Neuromas: At your appointment, your podiatrist in McKinney will perform a physical examination. Your podiatrist will order x-rays or other imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis. X-rays may be required to rule out a fracture or arthritis of the joints that join the toes to the foot. X-rays alone will not show whether or not a neuroma is present, so an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging test may be done to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment of Neuromas: People with neuromas may need to take painkillers, change their footwear, or get steroid injections. Prescription orthotics can help reduce pressure on the nerve and relieve your pain. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the affected nerve or release the pressure on it. Surgery is an effective treatment for neuromas.

Save yourself from pain! Don't delay- call Advanced Foot and Ankle Center at (972) 542-2155 right now to schedule a consultation with one of our podiatrists in Prosper or McKinney, TX. Get your life back on track by receiving the best neuroma treatment available. We will help you cure your pain fast!

Swelling, reddened flesh, shooting pain, and pus are just some of the incredibly uncomfortable symptoms of having an ingrown toenail. Although this condition can sometimes be successfully treated through home remedies, ingrown toenails often progress to the point of infection, a point that then requires professional treatment. Read on to learn what causes this problem, when it’s right to seek medical help, and how our podiatrists can help get your foot back to a healthy state!

The Causes and Symptoms

Before we cover how to treat ingrown toenails, let’s first review the core causes and symptoms that hallmark this condition…

Ingrown toenails initially develop due to a few different factors, including:

• Cutting the toenail too short
• Rounding the toenail during grooming
• Wearing improperly fitting shoes
• Experiencing toe trauma

If the flesh on the side of the toe has become red, swollen, and tender, you likely have an ingrown toenail. If you have caught this problem while it’s still in its early stages, you can try implementing some of the home remedies listed in the next section. However, if your toe is exhibiting some of the following signs of infection, you should seek professional podiatric help:

• Pervasive shooting or throbbing toe pain
• Regular bleeding
• The presence of a pus-filled blister
• The skin has started growing over the nail

Home Remedies

As mentioned above, if an ingrown toenail is caught before infection sets in, there are a few different methods that you can practice at home in order to clear up the issue. Some of these include:

• Around 3 to 4 times a day, submerge your foot into warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Regularly doing this should reduce swelling and provide pain relief.
• Following each soaking, use cotton to separate the ingrown toenail from the flesh that it is starting to grow under. This should allow the nail to grow above the skin again.
• Avoid snug or constraining shoes.

If these actions fail to clear up the problem in 2 to 3 days, you should pursue professional treatment.

Professional Treatments

In the case of a severe or recurring infection, there are a few different procedures that your podiatrist can perform to make your toe healthy again. Depending on the specifics of your ingrown toenail, one of the following treatments may be recommended:

• Partial Nail Removal: In the case of a severe ingrown toenail, your doctor can numb your toe before physically removing the ingrown portion of the nail.
• Nail and Tissue Removal: If the same toe is repeatedly experiencing the same ingrown toenail problem, this procedure can be performed to prevent future recurrences. It entails your podiatrist removing a portion of the underlying nail bed, thus preventing the nail from become ingrown again.

Concerned About Your Toe? Give Us a Call!

If your ingrown toenail needs medical attention, call our podiatric office today!

Heel pain is one of the most common complaints a podiatrist hears about from patients. If you are dealing with heel pain above the heel bone then you could be dealing with Achilles Tendonitis, a result of overuse. The Achilles tendon is the longest tendon in the body and it serves to connect the muscles of the calf with the lower leg and heel bone.

While Achilles Tendonitis tends to occur most often in runners, this condition can still occur in athletes that play certain sports such as soccer or tennis. Unfortunately, this tendon does weaken as we get older, which makes at an increased risk for developing this overuse injury as we age.

What are the symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis?

The most obvious symptom of Achilles Tendonitis is pain above the heel bone. When the pain first appears it’s usually pretty mild and you may only notice it after running; however, over time you may notice that the pain gets worse after certain exercises. Along with pain you may also experience stiffness or tenderness in the heel, especially in the morning or after long periods of sitting.

When should I see a podiatrist?

If this is the first time that you’ve ever experienced heel pain then it’s a good idea to turn to a foot doctor who can determine whether Achilles Tendonitis is causing your symptoms or whether it’s something else. If you’re experiencing chronic heel pain around the Achilles tendon it’s also a good time to see a doctor. If the pain is severe or you are unable to put weight on your foot it’s possible that you might be dealing with a ruptured tendon, which requires immediate attention.

How do you treat Achilles Tendonitis?

In most cases, Achilles Tendonitis can be treated with simple self-care options. Unless symptoms are severe you may be able to treat your heel pain by:

• Taking over-the-counter pain medications
• Avoiding high-impact activities or activities that exacerbate symptoms
• Elevating the foot to reduce swelling
• Performing stretching exercises or undergoing physical therapy
• Icing the heel
• Wearing custom orthotics
• Replacing worn-out shoes, especially running shoes

Surgery is only necessary if your symptoms aren’t responding to any other nonsurgical treatment options after several months or if the tendon is torn.

If you think your heel pain could be the result of Achilles Tendonitis then it’s time to turn to a podiatrist as soon as possible. A podiatrist can provide you with a variety of treatment options, from simple lifestyle modifications to custom orthotics.