Items filtered by date: April 2018

If the side of the toenail has grown into the skin, you may have a condition referred to as an ingrown toenail. It is typically a painful ailment and is often amplified when touched or put into a shoe. There are several causes for this to develop, including toenails that are improperly trimmed, wearing shoes that fit poorly, or a predisposed inherited gene in which the toenails may naturally curl. It is generally simple to notice if you are afflicted with this condition: observe the surrounding area of the nail to see if it is red, swollen, and painful. Treating the toenail as soon as possible can help ease discomfort, and this can be accomplished by soaking the foot in lukewarm water several times during the day. An infection may be avoided by applying an antiseptic on the toe and following by placing a small piece of cotton on the toe for protection. Consult a podiatrist if you have developed an ingrown toenail for more information on treatment options and care.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Bruening Foot & Ankle. 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 offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

It has often been recognized that many conditions concerning the feet may be indicative of the overall health of the body. If muscle spasms in the feet are experienced, it may be a result of certain vitamin deficiencies, which may cause dehydration. Additionally, if the feet are generally cold for a majority of the time, health issues such as diabetes or anemia may be present. Swollen and tender feet may represent the body’s inability to properly circulate the blood. Gout, a form of arthritis, is an extremely painful condition that typically affects men. This ailment is often triggered by a buildup of uric acid crystals, caused by ingesting excessive alcohol or meat. A condition referred to as foot drop indicates difficulty in lifting the front of the foot. This may be a result of the body incurring nerve damage, possibly originating from a leg injury. It’s suggested to consult with a podiatrist if you are affected by any of these conditions.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If standing for the majority of the day is part of your work routine, you may experience achy sensations in the feet, in addition to possible swelling and tingling. Feeling soreness in the feet may result in affecting your mood and emotional state, typically as a result of the discomfort felt from the irritation of the tendons, muscles, and joints. Relief can come from implementing appropriate exercises that will strengthen the feet. Acquiring proper knowledge is necessary in learning how to properly maintain correct patterns that will diminish foot pain as a result of standing. It’s beneficial to keep the joints loose and unlocked, in addition to shifting the body weight from one foot to the other. Additionally, getting regular foot massages will not only feel good, but will aid the feet in feeling better so the daily physical pressures of standing on your feet can be endured.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you notice a small round area on your toe that is painful and appears to have thickened skin, you may have what is referred to as a corn. There are two types of corns that may develop for different reasons. A soft corn typically forms between the fourth and fifth toes, caused by excessive moisture, and it may often become infected. Hard corns develop on the side of the pinky toe or on the top of the toes. General causes for hard corns to occur consist of  wearing shoes that are too tight or friction from any rubbing against the skin. If the socks that are worn are made of a non-absorbing material, sweat will accumulate between the toes, causing soft corns to develop. These conditions can be easily prevented by choosing to wear shoes and socks that have adequate room for the toes to move around in. It’s advised to schedule a consultation with a podiatrist for more information about corns and the proper treatment options for you.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Bruening Foot & Ankle. 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 offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Athletes may often experience stress fractures, which may be a result of the bones enduring excessive strain. This is a common occurrence among runners who often ignore the discomfort that comes from high intensity running. Other factors contributing to stress fractures may include having a low body weight or a diet that lacks essential nutrients. Pain and swelling will generally accompany this type of fracture, and will gradually worsen with continued activity. When treating a stress fracture, it’s crucial to discontinue the activity that caused this condition from developing. Elevating and resting the foot is essential for proper healing, in addition to wrapping the foot or ankle to reduce swelling and bruising. If the foot has shown little or no improvement after the appropriate time has passed for proper healing, an actual break may have occurred. Please consult with a podiatrist for a correct diagnosis and to determine the best treatment for stress fractures.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.