Items filtered by date: April 2020

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

The joints of the big toe are generally impacted by the medical condition that is referred to as gout. Common symptoms can include swelling, severe pain and discomfort in the big toe and surrounding area, and it may be difficult to walk. Patients who have this ailment often describe the pain as feeling like crystals protruding between the joints. This happens as a result of excess uric acid in the bloodstream, and can be caused by a variety of reasons. These can include genetic factors, obesity, and high blood pressure. Additionally, it may come from eating foods that are high in purine levels, which may often consist of red meat, shellfish, and sugary drinks. If you have this painful condition, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage it.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you notice you have formed a thickened layer of skin either on the bottom of your foot or on your toes, you may have developed a corn. Corns are similar to calluses, but are sore to the touch and can make simple activities, like putting on shoes, very painful. They may develop due to excess friction, typically caused by ill-fitting footwear. If you believe a corn has formed, it’s very important that you safely remove it. You should not use razor blades or knives in an effort to cut the corn off. Instead, soak your feet in a foot bath with warm water to soften the skin. Once soaked, use a pumice stone to file it down and apply lotion. For professional help and to remove your corn safely and properly, it’s suggested to seek the counsel of your local podiatrist.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are many people that suffer from a condition which is known as an ingrown toenail. Research has shown it generally does not cause harm, unless it becomes infected. This ailment can happen as a result of trimming the toenails incorrectly, or it may gradually develop from wearing shoes that do not have ample room for the toes to move freely in.  A noticeable symptom can include swelling as the nail grows into the outer edges of the skin. Additionally, there may be a discharge that oozes from the affected nail, and this may add to existing pain and discomfort. Many patients have found mild relief when the affected nail is soaked in warm water, and this may be beneficial in softening the surrounding skin. If you have an ingrown toenail, please consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward treatment options that are correct for you.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Patients who have chronic pain from specific foot conditions may be interested in learning about a treatment that is known as MLS laser therapy. It is defined as using wavelengths of light to possibly treat joint conditions, and injuries that have occurred to the tendons and ligaments. Additionally, it may help to reduce inflammation. After several treatments of approximately eight minutes each, swelling and pain may be diminished. Research has indicated the benefits of using MLS therapy may include faster healing of sprains, wounds, foot ulcers, and blood circulation may be improved. If you have chronic foot pain and are interested in learning more about MLS therapy, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

MLS Laser Therapy is a successful alternative for treating any pain you may be experiencing related to certain podiatric conditions.  If you are interested in MLS Laser Therapy, consult with one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

MLS Laser Therapy

Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy is a patented, FDA-cleared technology that helps relieve pain and inflammation from a number of podiatric conditions, including:

• Heel Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Sports Injuries
• Wounds
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Neuropathy
• Neuromas

MLS Laser Therapy is an ideal alternative to surgery and prescription medication, as it has no negative side effects and encourages accelerated healing. Among its many clinical benefits, MLS Laser Therapy also:

• Reduces swelling due to bruising or inflammation
• Blocks pain
• Reduces formation of scar tissue
• Improves nerve function

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.