Items filtered by date: December 2022

Morton’s neuroma  is the thickening and hardening of the nerve cells in the foot. It most often affects the third and fourth toes. This condition is caused by repeated trauma or injury to the foot, shoes that do not fit well, wearing high heels, or foot abnormalities, such as flat feet or high arches. With Morton’s neuroma, one can experience pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, and burning in the ball of the foot and radiating out to the toes. Some describe the sensation as walking on a pebble. Rest, properly fitting shoes, and a cushioned shoe pad can help when one has a Morton’s neuroma. When more conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery to space tissue around the nerve or excise the neuroma can be considered. While such surgery is usually successful in resolving pain, it can lead to numbness in the affected area. There is also a chance a Morton’s neuroma will come back. If you are suffering from a Morton’s neuroma, seeking treatment from a podiatrist to try and deal with the problem before surgery is the most viable option.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM of Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Erie, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot pain from driving is more common than some might imagine. Such pain is sometimes jokingly referred to as “driver’s foot,” “clutch foot,” or “accelerator foot.” Drivers may experience foot pain from driving as cramps in their feet, pain in one or both heels, pain in the ball of the foot around the big toe joint, or across the top of the foot. Pain may be worse if one is stuck in traffic for prolonged periods of time and needing to hold the foot in one position for longer than usual. The angle of the foot while driving might also contribute to pain. Because we tend to rest the heels of our feet on the floor when driving, this area is more apt to become sore or bruised. One can also experience pain where the ankle meets the foot from the tension of holding the pedals in certain places or having pedals that are hard to push down. If you experience foot pain while driving, or if pain persists when not driving, it is a good idea to consult with a podiatrist to see what the problem might be. This health professional is an expert in treatment options for all foot and ankle-related conditions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner 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 office located in Erie, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.