Toenail Trauma

An injury to your toenail is likely to be extremely painful. If this has happened to you, you should seek treatment immediately. But if you’re reading this for general informational purposes, we hope you’ll remember what to do if you ever suffer trauma to a nail. We at Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain assist patients with all sorts of podiatric needs, and although toenail trauma is scary, it usually heals well if the proper protocol is followed.

The word “avulsion” is used to describe a nail that is wholly or partially torn off. If you suffer a nail avulsion, you should trim down the jagged edge so that it won’t catch on your sock or any other cloth you wrap it in on your way to treatment. However, you should not remove any other portion of the nail that remains. Even if your doctor has to remove the entire nail in a clinic, it can still provide protection from infectious microbes while you are in transit. Nails can usually regrow as long as the nail bed hasn’t been reshaped by scar tissue resulting from an infection or the injury itself. If the congealed blood underneath your remaining nail bed covers a small enough area, it may be able to be drained through a small puncture. If not, the injury beneath the nail bed may require stitches.

Often during treatment for nail bed trauma, an x-ray is taken of the patient’s foot to determine if their toe bones are fractured. If they are not, the toe would still need to be kept covered while the nail regrows, which could take as long as eighteen months. You will receive instructions from your doctor on caring for your toenail while it recovers, but you will need to avoid pinching it in tight shoes or socks and change the covering regularly. You will have to keep the bandages dry while you bathe, and use all of the antibiotics you are directed to use.

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.

Tarsal Coalitions

Sometimes, a deformity that is present in a foot at birth won’t start causing problems until a child reaches adolescence. That is often the case with tarsal coalitions, a fairly common variant in foot structures that may contribute to fatigue and balance problems. Recently, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain described how to care for flat feet. We thought that this week we would discuss tarsal coalitions, since they are a common cause of fallen arches, and what can be done about them.

The tarsals are the group of bones at the back of the feet. They include the calcaneus, or heel bone, the talus, which connects to the leg bones, and the navicular, which connects to the bones leading to the midfoot. Tarsal coalitions usually form between the calcaneus and either the talus or the navicular, and a person who has one often has them in both feet. They usually form in utero as cartilage connections, but harden into bone when a person is between eight and sixteen years old. Less commonly, older people may develop tarsal coalitions due to arthritis or injuries. Since most people don’t get foot x-rays for no reason, tarsal coalitions often go undetected until they start causing problems after hardening.

Tarsal coalitions are not always painful, but the inflexibility they cause may result in balance problems on uneven surfaces. Consequently, people with tarsal coalitions are at elevated risk for rolling their ankles. They may also get sore from activities more quickly, or adapt unusual gaits. Shoe inserts can help redistribute the body’s weight comfortably, and steroidal injections may be appropriate in some cases for pain relief. But if dysfunction persists, a podiatrist may consider surgically removing the coalition and replacing it with muscle or fat tissue. Alternatively, if other joints have become overused as a result of compensating for the tarsal coalition, a podiatrist may consider fusing them, as well.

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.

Osteochondral Lesion

A twisted ankle is a relatively common problem, and while it’s not fun, it’s usually treatable without major interventions. However, the patient’s situation may be more serious if there is damage to their cartilage. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, our podiatrists take particular interest in sports injuries. As such, they are experienced in treating osteochondral lesions in the foot. This means they can help patients to recover from cartilage breakdown in areas including the talar dome.

The talus is a bone in the ankle that the leg bones rest on top of. The top-side of the talus is covered with a dome of cartilage, which is a rubbery substance that provides cushioning. If a person has a degenerative condition or suffers an ankle injury, the cartilage may rupture, soften, or develop cysts. A breakdown in cartilage may be accompanied by a break in the bone, but not always. Since cartilage helps the joint to move freely, breakage in it could cause the bone to catch or click. The patient may also experience swelling and bouts of pain, particularly when putting the joint under pressure.

The ankle joints don’t always get a great deal of blood supply, and osteochondral lesions in the talus may be slow to heal. If a piece of cartilage breaks off and floats freely in the joint, it will continue to cause inflammation and obstruction. Identifying a talus dome injury is done through a combination of range of motion tests and imaging. The patient may be provided with oral or injected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and be given a fitted ankle brace, with instructions on non-weight bearing exercises to do at home. But if the patient continues to experience pain or diminished function, we may determine that surgical removal of the damaged cartilage is necessary. In that case, surgery will usually be done through small holes, using miniature cameras, to allow the patient a faster recovery.

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.

Dry Skin

You’ve probably never heard of Xerosis, but chances are you’ve come across it before. Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, Drs. Michael Wenowitz and David Hintz specialize in treating conditions like severe dry skin or Xerosis. Here’s everything you need to know about this condition. 

Causes

Xerosis is typically caused by a change in the environment. This is why it’s more common to experience Xerosis in the cold winter months, where your skin is increasingly prone to losing water.

 

Other causes include:

-Dehydration

-Overdrying the skin

-Bathing or showering frequently

-Bathing or showering with hot water excessively

-Sun exposure

-Living in areas of low humidity

Symptoms

-Itchy, dry, and even scaly skin

-Flaky skin

-Skin that’s tight, especially after bathing

-Irritated skin or skin with cracks

Risk Factors
Older people are more susceptible to Xerosis than younger people. Aging skin is more prone to dryness because of the less active sweat glands. With higher levels of blood glucose, diabetic patients are also at a higher risk for dry skin and Xerosis.

Treatment

Xerosis is a fairly common ailment, so treatment is simple as well. If you’re experiencing severe dryness, your Lorain, OH podiatrists recommend using a moisture-rich lotion to apply to the area. However, if you’re Xerosis persists for more than two weeks, it may be a viral infection. Contact Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates right away for an appointment.

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 or to learn more about Xerosis, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

When Your Child is Toe Walking

What is Toe Walking?

Toe walking is when your child walks on the balls of their feet without their heels touching the floor. This condition is common amongst kids who are just beginning to learn how to walk and usually isn’t a concern because most children will outgrow it. However, if your child is still toe walking after two years old, visit Drs. David Hintz and Michael Wenowitz at Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH for an appointment today.

Causes of Toe Walking

Walking on tiptoes is unusual for children past two years old and causes stiffness of the ankles. Sometimes this behavior is a result of underlying conditions including: 

Heel Pain

Your child may be toe walking because of pain in their heels. Pediatric heel pain is caused by Sever’s disease, a condition where the heel’s growth plate is heavily inflamed and swelled up. Typically, children going through early puberty or who are active in sports are at a risk for developing Sever’s disease. 

Short Achilles Tendon

Your Achilles tendon is located on the back of your heel and extends up to your lower legs. This tendon helps your child move and walk. If an Achilles tendon is too short, that means the heel can’t reach the ground. This is why your child prefers to walk on their tip-toes instead of their feet. 

Other conditions that are linked to toe walking include cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and muscular dystrophy. 

Treating Toe Walking

Your Lorain, OH podiatrists pride themselves in taking care of their littlest patients, and that includes your child suffering from toe walking. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates, we will evaluate your child for the best possible treatment plan to stop toe walking. Ranging from physical therapy and stretching treatment plans to braces and footwear with special soles, Drs. Hintz and Wenowitz will help your child walk normally in no time. 

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 or to learn more about how toe walking, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Neuroma

If you suffer from a neuroma, you know how bothersome and painful this condition can be. Characterized as a nerve tumor between the toes, a neuroma will worsen if not treated immediately. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, Drs. Michael Wenowitz and David Hintz specialize in treating all foot conditions, including neuromas.  

 

What is a Neuroma?

Typically found in the foot between the third and fourth toes, neuromas are benign tumors made up of a collection of nerve tissues. This condition is also referred to as a pinched nerve or a nerve tumor. One of the most common neuroma conditions is known as Morton’s neuroma. 

 

Causes

While causes are unclear, researchers have theories of why neuromas occur. These include:

 

-Incorrect footwear

-Damage to the nerve

-Foot deformities like arched foot

-Repeated stress on the area, such as through work

 

Symptoms

-Pain between toes

-Swelling

-Numbness on the ball of the foot

-Tingling sensations

 

Treatment

If you’re suffering from a neuroma, one of the best things you can do for yourself is check your footwear. Avoid all high heels and any shoes that put stress on your feet. Wear thick soles in the foot for extra support or try over-the-counter shoe pads to relieve pressure.

 

Added rest is also important for your feet. Lie down or put your feet up. Try icing them with an ice pack to reduce swelling. 

 

Visit a podiatrist if the pain is persistent. Your Lorain, OH podiatrist will recommend special exercises, ointment, and shoe inserts as part of your treatment plan. 

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 or to learn more, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

 

Corn 101

Do you have corn? No, not that type of corn. We’re talking about foot corn, coined because of the yellow scaly thick circles of skin on your feet. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, Drs. Michael Wenowitz and David Hintz specialize in treating all foot conditions, including corn.

What is Corn?

A corn is a thick layer of hardened skin that usually forms in response to increased pressure and friction on a specific region of the body. Corns typically occur on feet, toes, hands, and  fingers. 

Causes

-Wearing too snug or tight shoes

-Walking or standing frequently

-People with diabetes are more at risk for foot corn due to poor blood flow to the feet.

Symptoms

-Sensitive skin

-Feet that hurt while wearing shoes

-Bumpy hard skin

-Rough, yellowing patches of skin

Treatment

There are many home remedies and over-the-counter products to treat foot corn. Try soaking your feet in a warm bath with Epsom salts. After the corn is softened, use a file or pumice stone to gently remove the thick layers of skin. Another treatment option is corn pads, which can be found at your local pharmacy. Using salicylic acid, these pads are an effective way to remove foot corn in just a few weeks.

If you’re still experiencing painful foot corn, visit Integrity and Ankle Foot Associates today. Your Lorain, OH podiatrists will file away the corn for you and offer special tips and tricks to prevent future foot corn.

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.