If you feel a sharp, shooting pain in the sole of your foot when you’re running, you may be suffering from tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). Our podiatrists at Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain are trusted care providers to people who have suffered sports injuries. While not all instances of TTS are sports-related, it is an overuse injury that we can help people to manage and recover from.
Like the carpal tunnel in each wrist, the tarsal tunnel is a canal in each ankle through which a major nerve travels. The tibial nerve provides feeling to the bottom of the foot and allows us to move most of our toes. The tarsal tunnel is comprised of both bone and soft tissue, and when it is inflamed, the tibial nerve may be compressed. This will cause sharp pains, numbness, or tingling, especially when the patient has been active or standing for a long time. People who make repetitive motions with their legs are especially at risk, but so are people with flat feet, diabetes, or who have suffered injuries in that area before.
Testing for TTS involves imaging and tapping the nerve. Besides RICE, common treatments for TTS include anti-inflammatory injections and the use of a splint to immobilize the foot. Patients are also advised to wear customized orthotics to ensure their tibial nerve isn’t being stretched by fallen arches. In severe cases, we can surgically release the ligament binding the tarsal tunnel, taking pressure off the nerve.
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.
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Saturday, August 17, 2019
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Ganglion Cysts
A lump on your ankle or foot is obviously concerning, but it might not be what you think. Sometimes, people develop pockets of liquid called ganglion cysts on the joints of their hands or feet. As podiatrists who offer a wide range of services, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates want to help people understand why these cysts develop and what we can do to help.
Our joints and tendons are lubricated by gel that sometimes becomes displaced. Ganglion cysts usually occur when a joint suffers trauma or a degenerative condition and the tendon sheath has become frayed enough for lubricating gel to seep through and gather in a pocket. The cyst may be painful and it may be bulbous or take the form of a network of small bubbles. It may also interfere with the tendon’s function, causing weakness.
We can conduct tests to determine whether a lump is a ganglion cyst or something more serious. We may advise that a cyst be aspirated, which means we will draw out the fluid with a syringe. Patients should not attempt to do this on their own, or they will risk injury. If the cyst returns repeatedly, we may suggest removing the cyst surgically or injecting it with anti-inflammatory steroids, but tendon sheaths are usually able to heal on their own.
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.
Our joints and tendons are lubricated by gel that sometimes becomes displaced. Ganglion cysts usually occur when a joint suffers trauma or a degenerative condition and the tendon sheath has become frayed enough for lubricating gel to seep through and gather in a pocket. The cyst may be painful and it may be bulbous or take the form of a network of small bubbles. It may also interfere with the tendon’s function, causing weakness.
We can conduct tests to determine whether a lump is a ganglion cyst or something more serious. We may advise that a cyst be aspirated, which means we will draw out the fluid with a syringe. Patients should not attempt to do this on their own, or they will risk injury. If the cyst returns repeatedly, we may suggest removing the cyst surgically or injecting it with anti-inflammatory steroids, but tendon sheaths are usually able to heal on their own.
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.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Discolored Toenails
Nobody wants their toenails to look discolored, especially not during the summer months, when other people can see. But discolored toenails can indicate a bigger problem than just a bruise. Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain offers solutions for a wide variety of topical and internal problems, so if you have discolored toenails, we can help you figure out why and what to do.
The most common reason for discolored toenails is infection. Fungus commonly makes toenails thick and yellow-brown in color. They may be misshapen and hard to cut. In people with compromised immune systems, fungus can appear white. Bacteria may cause toenails to look green or bluish green. Like infections of the skin, these ailments are likelier to happen if the feet are not kept dry and can become dangerous if they are able to enter the interior of the body through a lesion.
Black and brown toenails can be indicative of skin cancer. While they are likelier to be caused by blood pooling beneath the nail after an injury, patients should definitely seek a consultation with us if they don’t remember an injury that could cause discoloration. An injury may also cause white streaks on a nail, and while they can grow out, the patient might take toenail injuries as a sign they need to change shoes.
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.
The most common reason for discolored toenails is infection. Fungus commonly makes toenails thick and yellow-brown in color. They may be misshapen and hard to cut. In people with compromised immune systems, fungus can appear white. Bacteria may cause toenails to look green or bluish green. Like infections of the skin, these ailments are likelier to happen if the feet are not kept dry and can become dangerous if they are able to enter the interior of the body through a lesion.
Black and brown toenails can be indicative of skin cancer. While they are likelier to be caused by blood pooling beneath the nail after an injury, patients should definitely seek a consultation with us if they don’t remember an injury that could cause discoloration. An injury may also cause white streaks on a nail, and while they can grow out, the patient might take toenail injuries as a sign they need to change shoes.
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.
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