Items filtered by date: November 2023

Ingrown toenails can be a painful and persistent issue, usually affecting the big toe and causing discomfort, inflammation, and sometimes bleeding. An ingrown toenail often results from wearing tight shoes, foot injuries, genetics, or poor foot care. When the curved edges of the nail pierce into the surrounding skin, pressure builds up, leading to pain, inflammation, tenderness, and redness. Beyond conservative treatments, there are two primary surgical methods for treatment, which are referred to as partial nail avulsion and total nail avulsion. Both are conducted under local anesthesia. Partial nail avulsion involves removing a portion of the nail, known as a wedge resection. The procedure trims one or both edges of the nail to make it narrower and give it a straight edge. This ingrown toenail treatment takes approximately 30 minutes and has a high success rate. With total nail avulsion, the entire nail is removed. This procedure is often reserved for those with recurrent issues or who are unresponsive to other less invasive ingrown toenail treatments. Proactive toenail care and early intervention are key to addressing ingrown toenails effectively. To manage an exceedingly painful or infected ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, in addition to determining if surgery is best for you.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor 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 Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Podiatry, a specialized branch of medicine, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and conditions related to the feet and lower extremities. A podiatrist, also known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM, is a healthcare professional who specializes in caring for the health and well-being of the feet. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of conditions, including foot and ankle injuries, diabetes-related foot problems, and structural issues. To become a podiatrist, one typically follows a rigorous educational path. This begins with completing a bachelor's degree, followed by enrollment in a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM program, which is a four-year professional degree program. After earning the DPM degree, aspiring podiatrists typically undergo a residency program to gain hands-on experience in various clinical settings. Podiatrists then can choose to pursue board certification in a specific area of podiatric medicine, such as surgery or sports medicine, to further specialize in their field. If you have foot or ankle problems or are interested in pursuing podiatry as a career path, it is suggested that you speak with this type of doctor.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Jon McCreary, DPM from Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Heel pain can come from many different things. The area of the heel that is painful can give clues about the cause. The most frequent cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which is characterized by sharp pain on the bottom of the heel when standing after sitting or lying down. Heel pain can also come from a crack in the heel bone, if one has been more active or walked on hard ground. Pain at the back of the heel can arise from problems with the Achilles tendon, or, if the tendon at another spot is hurting, that is where the pain will be. A bony bump on the heel that causes swelling or pain can also cause back of heel pain. If the inside part of the foot hurts after standing for a long time, it may indicate a nerve is being compressed. Additionally, if the outside part of the foot hurts or feels wobbly, especially when active or on rough ground, it could be sinus tarsi syndrome. If you have any kind of heel pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Bunions are painful bumps at the base of the big toe, primarily the result of hallux valgus, where the big toe deviates outward and tilts toward the second toe. Contributing factors for the formation of bunions include foot pronation, wearing tight shoes, injuries, osteoarthritis, and heredity. Bunions can cause pain, especially in narrow shoes, and may enlarge over time. Painful swelling caused by inflamed bursa under the toe often accompanies bunions and limits joint motion. Diagnosing bunions relies on symptoms and physical exams, such as X-rays, while joint fluid analysis rules out infectious arthritis or gout. Treatment options depend on the severity of the bunion. A podiatrist can guide you toward non-invasive treatment solutions, including orthotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and corticosteroid injections to manage pain and inflammation. In severe cases, or when more conservative measures fail, surgical bunionectomy becomes an option. This procedure corrects joint alignment and removes the bunion. To determine the best treatment plan for your specific needs and taking into account the severity of your bunion, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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