Items filtered by date: November 2020

Foot pain, on its own, is a fairly nonspecific symptom. There are many conditions that may lead to foot pain. Plantar fasciitis, in which the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed, is a frequent cause of foot pain. Morton’s neuroma, a condition in which a nerve in the foot starts to thicken and place pressure on the toes, is also a fairly common problem. Other foot problems that can cause pain include metatarsalgia, tendinitis, turf toe, hallux valgus, heel pad atrophy, arthritis, and heel spurs. To figure out what is causing your foot pain, and how to treat it, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. David Ungar from Personal Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the bones of the leg to the foot. These ligaments are important, as they help keep the ankle bones in position as well as the ankle joint stable. This type of injury generally happens when you accidentally twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. A podiatrist can diagnose an ankle sprain by performing a thorough physical examination of the affected foot and ankle. This includes touching the skin around the injury to check for areas of tenderness, and moving the foot to check the range of motion Sometimes, imaging scans may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other possibilities, such as a broken bone. Examples of imaging scans that a podiatrist may use include X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds. For more information about ankle sprains, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Dr. David Ungar from Personal Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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

A common injury that many patients can endure is a broken toe. This can be the painful result of a heavy object falling on the toe, or from stubbing the toe against a piece of furniture. Common symptoms that are generally associated with a broken toe include severe pain, swelling, and bruising. If the fracture is severe, the bone may dislocate and protrude from the skin. If the toe is mildly broken, relief may be found by taping the affected toe to the toe next to it. This is referred to as buddy taping, and may provide the necessary stability as the healing process takes place. If you suspect that you have a broken toe, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer you treatment options.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. David Ungar from Personal Foot Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Hammertoe is a deformity of the toes in which they bend downward at the joint in a claw-like position. This can cause pain and difficulty walking. Hammertoe is often the result of wearing shoes that are too small, tight, or narrow. To prevent this condition, you should wear shoes that fit properly, have a wide toe box, and do not have very high heels. There are many different treatments for hammertoe, including wearing soft insoles in your shoes or doing exercises to stretch and strengthen the toes. When left untreated, hammertoe can become progressively worse until you are unable to straighten the toes. In these cases, surgery to correct this deformity may be an option. If you have hammertoe, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist, who can find the right treatment for you. 

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. David Ungar from Personal Foot Care. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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

Pain in the ankle can have a variety of causes. Ankle sprains are the leading causes of ankle pain, and they are a result of the tearing of ligaments that hold the bones together. Sprains are usually a direct result of rolling or twisting the ankle. Arthritis, gout, nerve damage, infections and broken bones can also lead to ankle pain. Those who experience extreme swelling and bruising, or struggle to put weight on the affected ankle, should consult with a podiatrist. If there has been no improvement in the level of ankle pain, that is another sign that you may want to visit a podiatrist. Treatment options that a podiatrist can provide include an ankle brace, medication or orthotics.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. David Ungar from Personal Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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