Items filtered by date: September 2024

A bunion, or hallux valgus, occurs when the base joint of the big toe shifts outward, causing the tip of the toe to lean toward the smaller toes. While the exact cause is not fully understood, factors like wearing poorly fitting footwear, a family history of bunions, and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to their development. Symptoms of bunions include pain, stiffness, and swelling at the big toe joint, which can make walking and finding comfortable shoes difficult. Bunions usually worsen over time, making early treatment important. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity of the bunion and recommend appropriate footwear, prescribe custom orthotics or discuss surgical solutions. These treatments can help alleviate pain, improve foot function, and prevent the condition from worsening. If you have a bunion that is interfering with your daily activities, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. 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 one of our offices located in Brook Park, Beachwood, and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken toe, or toe fracture, occurs when one of the bones in the toe is cracked or shattered due to trauma or excessive stress. Common causes include stubbing the toe, dropping heavy objects on it, or repetitive pressure from ill-fitting shoes. Symptoms typically involve pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the toe. In some cases, the toe may appear deformed or misaligned. For mild relief, it is vital to rest the injured foot and avoid putting weight on it. Pain may be managed by taking mild pain relievers. Keeping the toe elevated and using a buddy tape technique, where the injured toe is taped to an adjacent toe for support, can also assist in recovery. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can make an accurate diagnosis and provide treatment.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Beachwood, Brook Park, and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A broken toe, or toe fracture, occurs when one of the bones in the toe is cracked or shattered due to trauma or excessive stress. Common causes include stubbing the toe, dropping heavy objects on it, or repetitive pressure from ill-fitting shoes. Symptoms typically involve pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the toe. In some cases, the toe may appear deformed or misaligned. For mild relief, it is vital to rest the injured foot and avoid putting weight on it. Pain may be managed by taking mild pain relievers. Keeping the toe elevated and using a buddy tape technique, where the injured toe is taped to an adjacent toe for support, can also assist in recovery. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can make an accurate diagnosis and provide treatment.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park, Beachwood, and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Charcot foot is a serious condition that develops in people with diabetes, particularly those with peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet. This lack of feeling can prevent individuals from noticing injuries, such as small fractures or dislocations, which can worsen over time. As the damage progresses, it can lead to severe foot deformities, chronic ulcers, and in some cases, the need for surgery. Risk factors for Charcot foot neuropathy include long-term diabetes, older age, low bone mineral density, and a history of foot injuries. Early detection and intervention are vital to managing this condition, and a podiatrist plays a critical role in diagnosing and treating Charcot foot. This medically trained foot doctor may suggest custom footwear, casting, and other interventions to prevent further damage and support healing. If you believe you may have foot problems related to neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment options.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Beachwood, Brook Park, and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Charcot foot is a serious condition that develops in people with diabetes, particularly those with peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet. This lack of feeling can prevent individuals from noticing injuries, such as small fractures or dislocations, which can worsen over time. As the damage progresses, it can lead to severe foot deformities, chronic ulcers, and in some cases, the need for surgery. Risk factors for Charcot foot neuropathy include long-term diabetes, older age, low bone mineral density, and a history of foot injuries. Early detection and intervention are vital to managing this condition, and a podiatrist plays a critical role in diagnosing and treating Charcot foot. This medically trained foot doctor may suggest custom footwear, casting, and other interventions to prevent further damage and support healing. If you believe you may have foot problems related to neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment options.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brook Park, Beachwood, and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.