What are Corns?

Like a callus, a corn is a bit of hardened skin. But it is common for corns to be painful, and many people dislike their appearance. Although corns may not cause serious problems, it may be dangerous for patients to remove them on their own. We can provide safe treatment for them at the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain and help patients to prevent them from recurring.

Corns and calluses develop in places where the skin is subjected to a lot of friction. What makes them different is that corns have hard centers and tend to be smaller, which is why they are said to resemble kernels of corn. They usually develop in locations that are often damp but don’t have to bear weight, such as in between toes. Corns can sometimes be reduced by rubbing them with a pumice stone, but attempting to cut them away is dangerous, particularly for people whose neuropathy may prevent them from feeling if they have cut too far or rubbed too much.

A person should seek medical help for a corn when it is painful or inflamed. Corns are particularly likely to develop when someone has an underlying problem such as a hammertoe or a bunion, which would cause their skin to chafe against their shoes as they walk. We can provide orthotics and corrections for these conditions, as well as instructions for using prescription-strength corn-dissolving liquids safely.

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.

Chronic Sprianed Ankle

Usually, sprained ankles are able to heal after a few weeks with physical therapy and the use of anti-inflammatory medication and bracing. But when ankle instability persists or a patient frequently suffers from new injuries, some additional attention is necessary. At the Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, our podiatrists are experts in care for sprained ankles, and will work with patients to help them return to activity and prevent relapses.

The ankle is a complex joint. The bones of the tibia and fibula connect to the talus bone in the foot, but many tendons and ligaments, including the Achilles tendon, stretch past the talus. When the ankle is twisted, the tendons and ligaments may not heal completely, causing the ankle to remain unstable and at risk for future injuries. Soft tissue injuries are not always apparent through x-rays, but may be detected through range of motion tests and with the aid of an arthroscope.

After each ankle injury, a patient should engage in RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and will need to do therapeutic stretches to rebuild their strength and flexibility. But when conservative treatments are insufficient, it may be necessary to surgically debride damaged cartilage and scar tissue. Patients may also be prescribed steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to prevent the development of new scar tissue, and we may surgically reconstruct tendons and ligaments that have been damaged too severely to heal on their own. Bone fractures may require the placement of a screw and the use of casting to heal fully.

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.

Friction Blisters

Blisters, pockets of pus that form on the skin, can be caused by all sorts of things. But the ones on the feet are most often caused by chafing. As specialists in sports medicine, the podiatrists at the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates of Lorain are familiar with friction blisters and their treatment, and will work to help patients start moving again comfortably as soon as possible. But blisters are preventable, so it’s helpful to understand more about them.

When the skin is being chafed, it turns red and swells. As the chafing continues to break the skin, a bubble of liquid will form to protect the deeper tissues from mechanical damage and the spread of pathogens. Since the blister is helping the skin to heal, a patient should avoid bursting it unless it is extremely large and debilitating, and even then the skin should not be removed. Instead, patients may try padding the irritated area, which may include cutting a hole in the pad so it can fit around the blister. Usually, a blister will heal within a few weeks.

People are at increased risk of developing friction blisters when there is excessive moisture in their shoes. Runners may be able to prevent them by applying foot powder and by wearing moisture-wicking socks. People with recurring blisters may want to try applying adhesive bandages and checking whether their shoes need to be replaced or their orthotics have slipped out of position. If a blister shows signs of infection or the patient suffers from neuropathy, we can provide antibacterial treatments in our office.

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.

Foot Safety at Home

Although most of us are spending more time at home, that does not mean our feet are completely safe from harm. One in four seniors suffers a serious fall every year, and since accidents are often related to their footwear or walkways, we at the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain wanted to say a bit about fall-proofing houses.

When at home, it’s a good idea to wear shoes or slippers with slip-resistant soles. Footwear needs to be replaced when it becomes too loose or otherwise changes shape, which often happens after a few years of use. Although some people may choose to go barefoot, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that people never walk while only wearing stockings, and people with neuropathy need to be especially attentive to always wearing shoes with arch and ankle support.

Even a partial trip could result in a twisted ankle, so it’s important to keep walkways clear and brightly lit. Motion-activated lights can be a great help, as can double-sided carpet tape on throw rugs. It’s also important to consume adequate calcium and Vitamin D to limit the progression of osteoporosis and to maintain a workout routine that keeps the lower limbs as well as the core muscles strong and flexible.

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.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

If you feel pain along the inside of your foot and ankle, you may be at risk for arch collapse. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, we take a particular interest in sports medicine, and one of the most frequent athletic injuries is Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction. When this tendon breaks down, the arch of a patient’s foot is less supported, and without intervention, it may continue to degenerate and spread pain throughout the foot.

The posterior tibial tendon connects the calf muscles to the bones that make up the foot’s arch. It may be torn from an acute injury or from repeated stress, which is especially common among people who play sports that subject their feet to a lot of impacts, such as soccer and basketball. As the tendon weakens and the arch flattens out,  the foot will roll inwards. This will force the ankle inwards and the toes outward, so while pain begins on the inside of the foot, the outside of the foot will become sore, as well. A flat foot may become arthritic, and with a weakened posterior tibial tendon, a person would have a hard time standing up on their toes.

We can diagnose Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction with imaging tests and by having a patient demonstrate a range of motions and stretches. If the foot has not flattened out too much, a patient may be able to avoid wearing a brace, and will instead switch to exercises that don’t subject the feet to impacts, such as swimming and use of a stationary bicycle. They may also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and be prescribed therapeutic stretches to rebuild the tendon’s strength. If more mild interventions fail, it may be necessary to surgically clean the tendon of inflamed synovial tissue. We can also provide customized orthotics so a patient can walk more comfortably.

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.

Toe Walking

You may have noticed that small children sometimes walk on the balls of their feet. Toe walking, as it is called, is a normal part of learning to walk, but some children do it for an unusually long time. If you’re concerned that your child’s feet or legs aren’t developing normally, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain may be able to assist.

Most toe walking doesn’t have any identifiable cause, but it can occur when the Achilles tendon is too short. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel, so when it’s tight, a person might not lower their heel as they walk. Children with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy may have difficulty using their leg muscles, causing them to be underdeveloped. This is likelier to be the case when a child only toe walks on one side.

Children will usually walk with their heels when they are reminded to do so, and surgery isn’t recommended for children under five. A doctor may examine whether their calf muscles are overly tight; if so, they will be prescribed stretches that may be sufficient to loosen them. In some cases, we might use a therapy called serial casting, in which a series of casts is used to slowly stretch the calf muscles and Achilles tendon over several weeks. Botox injections may also be used to loosen the calf muscles.

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.

Introduction to Foot Cramps

Foot cramps are terrible; there’s no doubt about it. But it may be within a person’s power to decrease their frequency. At the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, our podiatrists are specially trained in sports medicine, and foot cramps are the most common foot problem among athletes. Therefore, we wanted to pass along some guidance on getting through a cramp and what may cause one.

A foot cramp is a muscle spasm in which the muscle suddenly tightens. When one happens, a person may be able to relieve their pain by putting pressure on the foot and stretching it out, using their hands to massage the muscles, if necessary. The cramps may be occurring because a person is overexercising, in which case they would need to change to a more balanced work-out routine. Another common cause is overly tight shoes, which compress muscles and restrict circulation. Shoes shouldn’t chafe the heels or be too tight for someone to wiggle their toes.

Muscles are also prone to cramping when they aren’t getting enough nutrition. People who are dehydrated or lacking in potassium tend to get a lot of foot cramps, so they need to make sure they’re replenishing their electrolytes. It’s also important to keep in mind that some problems, such as nerve damage, may feel similar to foot cramps, so it may be necessary to seek a professional opinion if self-management of foot cramps is unsuccessful.

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.