Items filtered by date: December 2023

A podiatrist specializes in foot care, providing comprehensive services that can maintain foot health in addition to addressing issues that affect daily comfort and mobility. These medically trained foot doctors offer routine care like trimming nails and managing calluses, which can prevent complications, especially in individuals with diabetes or circulation problems. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions such as bunions, heel pain, and plantar fasciitis, often relieving chronic discomfort. They also provide expert advice on proper footwear to support various foot shapes and alleviate pressure points. For athletes, they can help optimize foot function and performance through custom orthotics and injury management. Moreover, a podiatrist plays a vital role in the early detection of serious health problems manifested in the feet, ensuring timely interventions. In an effort to keep your feet healthy, it is suggested that you make routine appointments with a podiatrist who can help you prevent minor issues from becoming severe.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Clubfoot, or talipes equinovarus, is a congenital birth defect where the foot and ankle are misshapen or misaligned. It typically presents as a downward and inward turn of the hindfoot and ankle, with inward twisting of the forefoot. The two types of clubfoot are positional clubfoot, caused by unusual positioning in the uterus, and true clubfoot, a structural malformation from developmental errors in the womb. True clubfoot often involves underdeveloped leg or foot bones or calf muscles. Treatment varies, including immobilization with casts or physical therapy for positional clubfoot and complex surgery for true clubfoot. If your newborn has clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist immediately to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic feet are prone to various problems due to the impact it can have on blood circulation and nerve function. It is essential for individuals with diabetes to be aware of these signs and symptoms to prevent complications. One common issue is neuropathy, which can lead to loss of sensation in the feet. This means you may not feel pain, heat, or cold as well as you should, and may experience tingling or numbness. Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is another concern, reducing blood flow to the feet and resulting in cramping, pain, or slow healing sores. Diabetic ulcers are slow healing wounds that can develop due to nerve damage and poor circulation. It is helpful to be aware of any open sores or blisters on your feet. If you have diabetes and notice changes in your feet, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to have a thorough examination and treatment that may help to avoid serious foot problems.

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 one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. 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 offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Forefoot disorders are common and can significantly impact a person's ability to walk and may affect their overall quality of life. One prevalent issue is metatarsalgia, which causes pain in the front part of the foot. To alleviate metatarsalgia, individuals can use metatarsal pads, bars, or forefoot cushions. Another common problem is hallux valgus, characterized by the deviation of the big toe towards the other toes. Treatment options for hallux valgus include toe spreaders, valgus splints, and bunion shields. Hallux limitus and hallux rigidus, which cause limited movement in the big toe, can benefit from kinetic wedge foot orthoses or rocker soles. Additionally, hammer, claw, and mallet toes, which involve unusual bending of the smaller toes, can be managed with toe sleeves, padding, or metatarsal off-loading insoles. Morton's neuroma, a painful condition affecting the metatarsal area due to a benign nerve growth, can be relieved through the use of metatarsal bars, plantar pads, or cushioned insoles. It is important for individuals with these forefoot disorders to avoid wearing tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes and instead opt for comfortable footwear. If you suffer from forefoot pain, including toe pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate management strategies.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors 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 offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.