Items filtered by date: January 2023

A broken toe can be painful. It happens suddenly from dropping a heavy object on it, or from stubbing it into a piece of furniture. It is difficult to walk on, and will often be swollen and bruised. The first thing to do if you have broken your toe is to keep weight off of it. Elevating the toe may reduce some of the swelling, and a visit to the podiatrist is recommended. Mild breaks can benefit from using the buddy taping method. This is done by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it. This typically provides the stability that is necessary for proper healing. More severe breaks may require surgery, especially if the bone is protruding through the skin. Arthritis may gradually develop if the toe joints are affected, which can complicate the fracture. If you have broken your toe, please contact a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can correctly diagnose and treat a broken toe.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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 and ankle needs.

Peripheral artery disease involves the narrowing of blood vessels to the extremities, especially common in the lower legs. This occlusion is the result of a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs, feet and toes. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease, or PAD, include being over 60 years old, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The most common symptom is pain and weakness in the legs that may get better after resting. Other symptoms include numbness and a feeling of cold feet. Brittle toenails and toenails that grow slowly are other signs of PAD, along with sores or ulcers on the skin of the legs and feet that take a long time to heal. If peripheral artery disease goes undetected, it can cause extremely serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or limb loss. To find out if you have PAD, please consult a podiatrist who can perform various imaging and other tests and discuss appropriate treatment options. 

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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.

Practicing exceptional foot care is crucial for all people, especially for diabetic patients. This consists of examining the soles of the feet daily for existing cuts and scrapes, and using a mirror can be helpful in accomplishing this. Wearing shoes that fit correctly, properly trimming the toenails, and maintaining proper circulation are important methods to implement for optimum foot health. Diabetes is a result of elevated blood sugar levels and may be the result of foods that are eaten. Having healthy eating habits may be instrumental in lowering these levels and controlling diabetes. Two medical conditions that may affect diabetic patients are referred to as loss of protective sensation (LOPS) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). The former occurs when there is a lack of feeling in the feet, and the patient may be unable to feel pressure or pain. The latter condition decreases blood flow to the feet, possibly causing sores and cuts to heal slower. Diabetic patients are strongly suggested to be under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective management tips for controlling diabetes. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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 and ankle needs.

If you have ever had a case of plantar warts before, you know that they are a pernicious kind of growth that can form in response to contracting the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Since this foot condition can be spread through contact due to HPV, there is a possibility that warts can be spread through an infected person’s contact with bed sheets. For example, someone who struggles with plantar warts might be worried that they could spread their plantar warts to another part of their body or to their partner who sleeps in the same bed through bed sheets. For this reason, someone with a case of plantar warts might consider washing their bed sheets thoroughly and letting them properly dry to help prevent the spread of the HPV. In addition, the individual might consider protecting the infected area of their feet by wrapping it in a bandage. Doing this will prevent the wart from making direct contact with other parts of the body or other people. Contact a podiatrist today if you struggle with plantar warts. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Michael Ruiz, DPM from Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate 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 and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the feet is simply defined as a condition that can cause an individual to sweat excessively in the feet area. The sweating can be so severe that the feet even slip around in the shoes due to the excessive moisture. Due to the constant sweat on the feet, hyperhidrosis can make the feet more susceptible to infection. Hyperhidrosis of the feet might be linked to some kind of anxiety. If an individual has a particular kind of anxiety disorder, a common symptom that might manifest itself is sweaty feet. This can be linked to anxiety because sweating due to nervous feelings can often lead to a vicious cycle where an individual stresses about their sweating, causing more sweating. If you are someone that struggles with anxiety and sweating, consider reaching out to a podiatrist today. This foot specialist will be able to help you address any problems you have with hyperhidrosis.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Michael Ruiz, DPM of Lake Erie Podiatry. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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 and ankle needs.