If you experience pain, swelling, and redness on the side of the toe, you may have an ingrown toenail. The toenail may become infected, which is often indicated by secretion of a yellow or white colored pus oozing from the affected area. Wearing shoes that fit improperly, cutting the toenails incorrectly, and toenail fungus are all possible causes of ingrown toenails. Additionally, if you have incurred an injury to the toe area, you may be susceptible to developing ingrown toenails. Preventive measures may include trimming the toenails straight across, wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit properly with enough room around the toes, and washing and drying the feet thoroughly on a regular basis. A consultation with a podiatrist is advised for proper treatment options for ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact James P. Huish, DPM of Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Plantar fasciitis affects more than three million people each year. This ailment typically occurs when the foot’s shock absorbing ligament, also known as the plantar fascia, suffers inflammation or small tears from too much tension or stress. The ligament associated with plantar fasciitis runs across the entire bottom of the foot. However, the pain associated with this condition is usually only located within the center of the heel. Some people do tend to experience pain up into their arch, though. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a variety of occurrences such as jobs that keep people on their feet, stressful exercises, obesity, or wearing shoes with little support. Treatments for plantar fasciitis may include icing your feet, receiving cortisone injections, wearing a specialized boot, and even doing stretches. If you are experiencing any foot pain, an appointment with your podiatrist is highly advised.      

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact James P. Huish, DPM  from Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

There is a high risk of foot amputation for people with diabetes.  It’s important to keep an eye on your foot’s health in order to avoid serious complications.  To begin with, it’s important to look out for foot ulcers.  Foot ulcers are the most common foot injury associated with diabetes.  If left untreated, a foot ulcer can eventually lead to amputation of the foot or even the lower leg.  If you think you have a foot ulcer, it's advised to get it checked out by a podiatrist.  Other ways to avoid serious complications with diabetic feet are as follows: Take care of your feet by avoiding minor foot injuries, examine your feet regularly, clean your feet often as well as keep them dry, and spot any problems early.  Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to see your podiatrist if you have any worries or notice any sudden changes in sensation.

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 James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona. Our doctors 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 Safford and Sierra Vista, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If foot disorders like hammertoes or bunions are experienced, surgery may be considered as an option for relief. Pressure and pain are often the results of tendons becoming too tight. Additionally, the toes may become unbalanced and rub against each other, causing friction. These conditions may cause the joints to become inflamed, which may lead to deformities. Anesthesia is generally administered, which will enable the podiatrist to perform the necessary procedures needed to repair the disorder. This may include adjusting tendons to their proper size, aligning joints back into place, or possibly changing the shape of the bone. A consultation with a podiatrist is suggested to see if foot surgery is the correct option for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact James P. Huish, DPM of Arizona. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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