Items filtered by date: February 2024

Gout is a form of arthritis that often leads to sudden pain and swelling in certain joints. Gout attacks commonly affect the big toe, as well as other joints like ankles, knees, and wrists. During an attack that affects the toes, resting and elevating the foot can help manage the pain. Staying hydrated and avoiding foods high in purines, including certain meats and seafood, may reduce the risk of future flare-ups. Incorporating certain low-impact exercise can also help combat gout attacks, but it is to be avoided during painful flare-ups. Other treatment options, which a podiatrist may recommend, include medication, cortisone injections, or surgery for more severe cases. If you are experiencing painful gout attacks in the toe joints, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer personalized treatment options. 

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Warren Levy, DPM from Armitage Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

It can be frustrating to manage plantar warts that return after treatment. Plantar warts are a common foot condition that develop when the human papillomavirus, or HPV, infects the bottom of the foot. Plantar warts can come back because HPV can remain dormant in the skin even after visible warts are treated, making it possible for new warts to develop in the same spot or nearby. The skin tissue may also hold small, undetectable warts or viral particles in surrounding skin tissue, leading to more warts in the future. Additionally, a weakened immune system, exposure to HPV in communal areas, such as locker rooms or swimming pools, or incomplete removal of the wart during treatment can lead to recurrent plantar warts. To prevent plantar warts from coming back, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer various treatments for the warts and minimize the chance of recurrence.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Warren Levy, DPM from Armitage Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Corns on the feet are thick, hardened skin bumps that typically form on bony areas, such as on the top or sides of the toes, due to friction and pressure. The three types of corns are hard corns on toe tops, soft corns between toes, and seed corns on the soles of the feet. Foot corns develop due to wearing ill-fitted shoes, either too tight or too loose, causing rubbing and pressure. Improperly fitting socks or not wearing any socks can also lead to friction. Individuals with conditions like arthritis, bunions, or hammertoes are at higher risk. Preventing foot corns involves wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes, avoiding high heels or pointy-toed shoes, and using corn pads for added protection. Moisture-wicking socks may help to reduce friction. If you have foot corns that are causing you discomfort or showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an examination and proper treatment or removal.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Warren Levy, DPM of Armitage Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist 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 Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, or BOS, manifests with distinctive symptoms that can affect the feet. This rare condition combines skin and bone abnormalities and is characterized by skin lesions and bone spots on the feet. Skin lesions result from connective tissue irregularities and appear as spots, while bone spots are painless areas of heightened bone density, detectable through X-rays. Symptoms usually begin in childhood, and although the skin lesions may progress with age, they typically do not lead to additional health concerns. However, in rare instances, BOS can advance to melorheostosis, causing abnormal bone growth, potentially resulting in bone pain and deformities within the feet. Diagnosis hinges on clinical examination, imaging studies, and genetic testing. If you have foot pain of any type, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Warren Levy, DPM of Armitage Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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