Items filtered by date: December 2022

An ingrown toenail can be painful. This is a foot condition that the majority of patients should not ignore, and it can become infected if prompt medical treatment is not received. This condition can occur from wearing shoes that are too tight, or from cutting the toenails incorrectly. An ingrown toenail is defined as the nail growing into the skin, instead of over it. Common symptoms many people have are redness, swelling, and it can be tender when touched. Temporary relief may be found when the affected foot is soaked in warm water, followed by using a piece of cotton to gently pull the skin away from the nail. Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing shoes and socks that are the right size, and trimming the toenails straight across instead of in a curved shape. If you have developed this ailment, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can correctly treat your ingrown toenail, which may include minor surgery.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM of Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Swollen ankles are often caused by excess fluid. The medical term for swollen ankles is called edema, and it represents fluid that is trapped in the feet and ankles. There are methods that can be implemented, which may help to eliminate edema. Reducing sodium intake, in addition to eating grapes, beets, pineapples, and green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin B, and are recommended for this purpose. Additionally, research has shown the importance of incorporating herbs in your dietary habits, such as bilberry and dandelion, that may help to reduce swollen feet and ankles. Many people enjoy getting massages that can release excess bodily fluid, and diuretics may be prescribed that can temporarily relieve swollen feet. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine the reason why you have swollen feet, and offer correct treatment options.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM of Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Stow, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

The ankle is a complex structure of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues that connect the bones of the feet and the legs. The ankle supports your weight whenever you stand, balance, or move. It helps you flex, extend, and rotate your feet. Pain in the ankles can be caused by many conditions. The most common among them are sprains, fractures, and tendonitis. In addition, ankle pain can be caused by arthritis, bursitis, and flat feet. Among the ways to avoid ankle pain are maintaining a healthy body weight, strengthening the leg and foot muscles, and warming up properly before engaging in strenuous exercise or sports. Further, it is a good idea to wear shoes that support the feet and ankles and that are designed for the sport of activity you are doing. At the first sign of ankle pain, it is recommended that you stop the activity immediately and rest the ankle. If pain persists, if the ankle begins to swell, or if bearing weight becomes a problem, it is wise to consult a podiatrist who can determine the severity of your injury and provide appropriate treatment options.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM from Western Reserve Foot Clinic. 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 Stow, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Several different kinds of foot afflictions can distort how the bones of the feet are supposed to naturally look. Hammertoe is one such foot condition. This condition occurs when a toe is misshapen because it points upward at the middle joint. As a result, the hammertoe resembles a kind of hammer. After visiting a trusted medical professional such as a podiatrist, one can take steps to correct a hammertoe. For example, a hammertoe correction surgical procedure can straighten the toe. During this procedure, joint or bone tissue may be removed to facilitate the straightening of the toe. Also, affected tendons that are causing the bending of the toes might be loosened during this procedure. If you have a hammertoe, contact a podiatrist today to review your options for correcting the condition.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM from Western Reserve Foot Clinic. 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 Stow, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.