Hammertoes

Have you noticed one of your toes bending upwards or becoming more difficult to move? If so, we hope you’ll schedule an appointment with Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain right away. Hammertoes, as toes with this sort of deformity are known, do not get better on their own. And if they are allowed to progress, they can result in permanent damage to the foot and seriously impact a patient’s quality of life.

A hammertoe is what we call it when the middle joint of a toe gets stuck in a bent position. (A mallet toe is a bend in the front-most joint, while the big toe only has two joints.) It usually develops slowly, and more than one toe may be affected. The bent toe will rub against a person’s shoe, causing it to chafe and develop a callus. The ball of the foot may also chafe, and the toe joint may become inflamed.

Hammertoes usually develop in women, and the first thing a person should do if they notice one developing is switch to shoes that have roomier toe boxes and won’t force their feet forward. They may also want to try stretching exercises, such as using their toes to pick up light objects. Podiatrists generally don’t recommend acidic corn-removers, as patients can injure themselves using these unsupervised. If a hammertoe continues to cause problems, we may be able to perform minor surgery to release the tendon keeping the toe bent. This would also give us an opportunity to remove any bunions that may have developed as a result of the toes being cramped and chafing against the shoe.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Shopping for Shoes

If you read about foot health, you’re doubtlessly aware that picking good shoes is one of the most important things you can do to keep your feet comfortable and functional. But what does “good” mean, exactly? If you have a specialized condition, we at the Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain will be happy to provide you with more personalized advice, as well as customized orthotics. But in general, there are a few things that everybody should keep in mind the next time they go shoe shopping.

When you try on shoes, it’s important to have them fitted as well as possible while erring on the side of more toe room. Wear socks of a similar thickness to the ones you plan to normally wear with the shoe, and try to go later in the day, after your feet have spread out a bit from carrying you for several hours. And remember when getting your feet measured that they are unlikely to be of the exact same size.

A good shoe will provide you with arch support, being neither completely flat nor inclined enough to slide your foot forward and squish your toes together. Athletic shoes will need to be breathable for most kinds of activity, but with solid heels and snug ankle cuffs. Be wary of shoes with soles that bend, and pay some mind to how you will keep an athletic or work shoe clean so you’ll be at less risk for microbial infections. If you plan to be working in slippery environments or ones where you might be carrying something heavy, OSHA provides additional resources to help you determine what you’ll need in a specialized work boot. (For example, you may need protection for your metatarsals and not just your toes.) But regardless of what kind of shoe you’re looking for, you’ll need one that fits you and is comfortable when you walk out of the store, not something that needs to be broken in.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Heel Spurs

At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, we treat a variety of foot conditions. From hammertoes to heel spurs, we will treat your foot issue so that you are able to complete everyday activities more comfortably. Heel spurs are especially painful as they cause swelling at the front of your heel. If you think you are experiencing a heel spur, don’t hesitate to call our office to set up an appointment. You don’t have to live with that discomfort! Your Lorain podiatrist is here to help.

 

According to Healthline, “A heel spur is a foot condition that’s created by a bony-like growth, called a calcium deposit, that extends between your heel bone and arch.” When this inflammation happens, it often affects other parts of the foot. And while heel spurs can certainly be painful, they aren’t always and they are not easy to detect with the naked eye. 

 

Heel spurs don’t develop overnight but over time. They are caused by long-term muscle and ligament strain. A few different things can bring on heel spurs, including:

 

-Excess body weight

-Old shoes that no longer provide efficient support

-Wearing flip-flops

-Arthritis

-Heel bruising

-Ill-fitting shoes

-Walking gait issues

Are you unsure if you have a heel spur? We can assess your foot and start you on a treatment plan if you do have one. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd #B in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Preventing Hammertoes

Hammertoes aren’t pleasant and the name for this foot condition doesn’t help its cause. Without knowing what hammertoes are, one might picture a literal hammer smooshing the toes back into the foot. Which honestly isn’t too far off. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, wants patients to know that they do not have to live with this pain. There are ways to find pain relief and prevent this common foot condition!

 

Hammertoe is a deformity that occurs in the middle joint of one or more of your little toes. It develops when there is an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toes straight. The structure of your feet, trauma, certain diseases, and the type of shoes you wear can all bring on hammertoes. Surgery may be required to correct hammertoes if they are severe enough. Left untreated, the toes affected can become permanently bent and cause painful corns or calluses. 

 

Preventing hammertoes is quite easy since a lot of it has to do with the shoes you wear:

 

-Make sure to have adequate toe room in your shoes and avoid shoes that are pointy.

-Lower heels are less likely to slide your foot forward and put your toes in a scrunched position.

-Laced or strapped shoes are a better option since they have more room and are adjustable. 

-Your feet tend to swell throughout the day, so it’s better to purchase shoes at the end of the day to account for that swelling.

-Your shoe size can change with age, so it’s important to keep checking that you are the size you are!

-Be sure to purchase shoes that are comfortable.

Do you think you have hammertoes? We can take a look and get you started on a treatment plan. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd #B in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Neuropathy

At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, we often treat patients struggling with peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition where the nerves in the feet or legs are damaged and is often seen in patients with diabetes. This is because the higher glucose levels destroy the nerve fibers, resulting in diabetic neuropathy. Your experienced staff at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is here to help you. If you’re struggling to control your diabetic neuropathy symptoms, reach out to our office today. 

 

The biggest indicators of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling, and severe pain. Because you can’t properly feel your feet, complications arise. It’s common for patients to develop bunions, corns, calluses, and swelling. Diabetic foot ulcers may even develop, since you are unable to tell if your foot is rubbing against your shoes and irritating your feet. Daily foot care is of the utmost importance. Check your feet daily for any developing sores. 

 

Your comfort and concerns are extremely important to us. Your appointment begins with a review of your medical history. Be forthcoming with any relevant information about your diabetes and care. From there, we perform a physical examination. Diabetic nerve damage is diagnosed in a few different ways: we’ll test your muscle strength and tone, sensitivity, and tendon reflexes. Treatment is easily developed afterward, focusing on pain management and treating any resulting cuts, abrasions, or ulcers. We recommend investing in new and proper footwear. Buy shoes that fit properly, provide support, and don’t rub against your feet.

 

Your trusted staff at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is highly skilled in treating diabetic neuropathy and are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd #B in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Bursitis

Running is a great way to exercise, but it does put a lot of stress on your feet. Among the many overuse injuries a patient might develop is bursitis, the inflammation of the bursae. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, is happy to help patients suffering from painful sports injuries. We also want to educate our patients about how they can prevent bursitis and avoid relapses.

 

A bursae is a sac of fluid that provides cushioning and secretes lubrication for the joints. They are found throughout the musculoskeletal system, but the ones in the feet that are at the greatest risk for injury are on the back of the heel and the base of the big toe. Although they can suffer acute injuries, they are usually strained by tight tendons, and occasionally, bone growths such as Haglund's deformity on the heel bone. People who are overweight or suffering from gout are at greater risk.

 

We take a sample of bursae fluid for testing if we suspect a patient has undiagnosed gout, but rest and ice are usually sufficient treatments for bursitis. Ice should only be applied for fifteen minutes at a time. Patients should return to activity gradually. Athletes need to remember to stretch their calves as part of their warm-ups to prevent their Achilles tendons from getting too tight, and to regularly replace worn-out shoes. Athletes may also want to consider heel inserts. If pain is severe enough, we provide anti-inflammatory injections. 

Do you have bursitis? We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up. Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd #B in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Foot Fungus

Also known as onychomycosis, foot fungus is specifically a fungal infection of the toenails. It causes toenails to become brittle and distorted, thicken, turn yellow, and emanate a foul smell. Foot fungus has the ability to cause a whole host of other problems, including uncomfortable mobility. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, have the expertise to help you or someone you know with various foot problems. Your Lorain podiatrist is dedicated to getting you on the road to treatment for a more comfortable life!

Foot fungus comes in varying degrees of severity. Sometimes treatment isn’t required if it doesn’t bother you. However, for severe cases, relief can only be achieved by a podiatrist’s treatment. The frustrating thing about foot fungus is that even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often comes back. There are a few risk factors to be aware of, some in your control and some not:

- History of athlete’s foot

- Sweating a lot

- Diabetes causes circulation problems and a weakened immune system

- Minor skin or nail injury, such as psoriasis

- Walking barefoot in public areas, especially at gyms, shower rooms, and swimming pools

- Seniors have reduced blood flow, so more exposure to fungi and slow-growing toenails

In order to prevent foot fungus, we recommend that you wash your feet regularly, choose a medical pedicure over a standard nail salon, wear sweat-absorbing socks and breathable shoes, especially wear footwear in pool areas and locker rooms, and either discard or disinfect old shoes. 

Do you have foot fungus? Stop into our office so we can have a look and get you started on a treatment plan! Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd #B in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.