Warts - Plantar warts can affect any age group, but most commonly affect children and young adults. A virus causes them. A common characteristic is the interruption of the skin lines. They often have a brown or black "seedy-like" appearance. They are generally painful and can be mistaken for a callus. If left untreated they can spread to other areas.
Treatment - Treatment options are available in the form of prescription topical medicines, removal of the wart in an office setting, or laser excision of warts in an outpatient setting.

Heel Pain - Commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome, patients usually complain of heel pain as "very painful in the morning or after sitting down for a period and then getting up." Usually the pain comes from inflammation of the plantar fascial tissue (a ligament-like band running from your heel to the ball of your foot). Ultrasound studies can be used to diagnose any tears or thickening of the plantar fascial tissue.
Treatment - X-rays can reveal any heel spurs or other bony pathology. Conservative care with tapings, oral medicines, custom molded orthotics (shoe inserts), and steroid injections can usually make a patient symptom-free. If conservative care fails, surgical treatment is available in the form of Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy. The newly innovative Ossatron Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy is also available for treatment of heel pain. Please contact our office for more information on these procedures.

Corns - Corns between the toes can be very painful and are usually caused by an underlying bone deformity. Corns on the top of the toe are usually caused by a hammer- toe deformity. Ill-fitting shoe gear and high-heeled shoes worsen the symptoms.
Treatment - X-rays can be taken to identify the underlying bone deformity. Conservative care is often all that is needed to provide relief of symptoms. If symptoms persist, surgical intervention is needed to address the underlying bone deformity.

Diabetic Foot Care - An annual foot exam is encouraged for all diabetics. Circulatory, neurologic, dermatologic, and musculoskeletal systems are checked during each exam. Potential problems can be identified and treated to prevent more serious complications. Ulcers are treated in both office and hospital settings with the most advanced and comprehensive wound care products available. Patients are also urged to check their feet daily at home for any redness, irritation, blisters, or breaks in the skin which may lead to ulceration.
Treatment - Care is coordinated with your primary care physician to ensure that proper blood sugar levels are maintained. Appropriate referrals are made for accommodative inserts and shoe gear to keep pressure off of ulcer areas. Debridement of ulcers is done in the office and grafts can be performed if necessary. Please contact our office for additional information on diabetic foot care.

Bunions & Hammer Toes - Bunions are often an inherited trait and usually the deformity begins in early adulthood, although children may also be affected. Sometimes pain, swelling, and or redness of the foot in the area of the big toe joint accompanies the deformity. A hammer- toe or mallet toe is a contracted joint in the toe. Most likely a corn will form on the top of the toe as a result of the toe rubbing against shoe gear.
Treatment - If the bunion or hammertoe is not painful, no treatment is recommended. Wider shoe gear may help relieve symptoms. Custom molded orthotics, are often helpful in relieving pain from bunion deformities. Surgical intervention is required if pain persists and to avoid progression of the deformity.

Neuroma - A neuroma is an enlargement of a normal nerve between two bones in the foot, generally between the 3rd and 4th toes. Patients often refer to the symptoms as "numbness or tingling to the toes and a need to remove the shoe and rub the foot". Narrow or pointed shoes and high heels tend to aggravate the symptoms. When the bones are squeezed together they pinch the nerve.
Treatment - Wider shoes help to relieve symptoms. Steroid injection can be used to relieve symptoms or surgical intervention if symptoms persist after conservative care.

Nail Problems - Nails can become thickened, brittle, discolored, and painful. This is generally caused by a fungal infection, but can also be caused by a bacterial infection or injury of the nail. Diabetes, psoriasis, and vascular disease can also play a role in nail deformities.
Treatment - A culture may be taken to determine the organism causing the deformed nail. Oral medications and topical medications (nail lacquer) are available to treat fungal infections of the nail. If the nail is ingrown or infected, surgical intervention may be necessary