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.

Common Toe Deformities

Our feet withstand a lot. They hold up the full weight of our bodies and propel us forward. It’s important that we take care of our feet so that they can last us our lifetimes with little complication. Common toe deformities such as claw toe, hammertoe, and mallet toe can all be prevented if we treat our feet right. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, are dedicated to helping our patients find relief and educating them about how they can prevent future toe deformities. 

 

Claw toe, hammertoe, and mallet toe: it almost sounds like we’re going through a toolbox. But the names do lend to the visual abnormality of these deformities, as well as the discomfort. Most of the time, surgery will be required to completely correct these deformities. The tissue will need to be released and tendons will need to be lengthened. 

 

A closer look at the common toe deformities:

 

- Claw toe: This deformity is caused by one of the tendons in the foot contracting, raising the first bone in the toe and making the second two bones point downward. 

- Hammertoe: A normal toe should form a straight line with the three bones that make up the toe. This deformity raises the first toe bone, the second bone tilts downward, and the third bone becomes flat. Like claw toe, this is also caused by a tendon contracting in the foot.

- Mallet toe: This deformity is also caused by a tendon in the foot contracting. The first two toe bones remain straight, though they are slightly raised. The third bone points downwards.

 

Are you experiencing a toe deformity? 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.

 

Importance of Shin Guards

Have you ever been kicked directly in the shin before? It is by no means fun, which is why athletes in high-impact sports are required to wear shin guards. Soccer and football players wear special padding on their shins to protect themselves from scrapes, breaks, and tears. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates believe in safety over anything else when it comes to playing a sport. Of course, winning a game is important, but it doesn’t do your team any good if you need to be taken out of the game due to an injury!

Shin guards are especially important in youth sports. Since the kids are still learning the ropes of their favorite sport, accidents can happen. It’s better to be prepared for a player to miss the soccer ball and kick an opposing player in the shin. With protected shins, it’s not really something a kid has to worry about or feel guilty for if they accidentally kicked someone. In truth, shin guards take away that fear of possibly hurting another player, or getting hurt themselves, so that the kids can focus on playing the game they love.

Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you have suffered a shin injury while playing a sport. By assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan, Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates can get you back on the road to recovery. We always recommend preventing these injuries from happening by using the proper safety equipment. 

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 with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Jumper’s Knee

Patellar tendonitis, also known as “Jumper’s Knee,” is often suffered by volleyball or tennis players. As the nickname suggests, sports that involve a lot of jumping can cause microscopic tears and degeneration of a player’s knees. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates take pride in educating our athletic patients about the many ways they can prevent injury. Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you suffer from Jumper’s Knee by assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan. It’s best, however, to practice prevention now so that you can keep playing the sport you love!

An athlete can prevent Jumper’s Knee by wearing a knee brace during practices and games. A knee brace assists in stabilizing the joint, supporting the kneecap, and offers the knee added strength. This all decreases the amount of strain the knee goes through to withstand a player’s weight as they land on their feet from a serving position.

You can also prevent Jumper’s Knee by:

- Taking breaks

- Practicing and improving your technique

- Making sure you have all the right gear

- Warming up your body with stretches

- Incorporating strength-building exercises in your routine

- Not playing through the pain, as this will only worsen your condition

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 with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Stress Fractures

Are you a soccer or basketball player? Did you know that stress fractures are common in sports with constant running? The repetitive activity can cause a small crack or bruise on the bone. Stress fractures can also occur when someone changes their activity, such as running on a treadmill to running outdoors. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates realize that things happen, no matter how much you prepare your body for physical activity. We are dedicated to treating your sports injury as quickly as we can, so that you can get back on the court. 

The sudden increase or change in physical activity are causes of stress fractures and include poor conditioning, improper technique, change in surface, and using improper equipment. Certain medications and pre-existing conditions can make individuals more susceptible to stress fractures, such as the bone insufficiency that comes with osteoporosis. Stress fractures are also more common during the winter, since the body is deprived of the sun’s vitamin D. 

Prevention is key. You can help prevent the development of stress fractures by:

- Cross-training in different types of exercise

- Adding strength training to your workout routine

- Gradually increasing the time and intensity of a new activity

- Using the proper equipment

- Stopping all activity if a recently healed injury flares up

- Eating a balanced and healthy diet

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 with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.