A hammertoe is a toe deformity where the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and/or 5th toe(s) bend downward at the middle joint and look like little hammers. Afflicted toes might also develop corns, calluses, and open sores due to rubbing or irritation from walking or running. Wearing shoes can be painful for those who have hammertoes and inflammation, redness, and/or a burning sensation may be felt in the toe area. Reasons hammertoes develop include wearing shoes that do not fit properly, usually those that push the toes together into a tight toe box. The toes will tighten when repeatedly bent into unnatural positions and lose their ability to stretch out. Sometimes hammertoes can occur from a muscle/tendon imbalance that leaves the toes pointing down due to structural changes in the foot that develop over a long period of time. Less often, a hammertoe results from an earlier injury or congenital defect. With early intervention, hammertoes can often be corrected with minimal treatment. Left untreated, a hammertoe can become permanent, and surgery may be required to reposition it. Treatment includes wearing comfortable, properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box, stretching feet and toes to keep muscles flexible, and wearing pads or orthotics. Further intervention, including surgery might be needed. If you suffer from a hammertoe, see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the severity of the condition and provide correct treatment options for you.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Howard Kimmel, DPM of Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

There is a rare foot condition that is known as Ledderhose disease, which causes hard lumps to develop on the bottom of the feet. It is a result of a build up of connective tissue, and can cause pain and discomfort. The lumps are generally benign, and can be related to other connective tissue diseases. Additional symptoms include foot and ankle pain, tight skin, and a sensation of pins and needles. There may be existing conditions that lead to Ledderhose disease, including chronic liver disease, prior foot injuries, and diabetes. Patients with a long history of alcohol use may experience symptoms of this condition. Mild relief may be found when soft shoe inserts are worn to provide adequate padding for the bumps. It can be beneficial to perform mild stretches, and many patients find it can help to get regular foot massages. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment options that may involve surgery for permanent relief.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, 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.

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 one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

People who are infected with toenail fungus can be embarrassed to wear flip-flops and sandals in the warmer months. It is an unsightly foot condition that leaves the nails yellowed and thickened and in severe cases, brittle. Additionally, the toes can itch or turn black, and may often be accompanied by athlete’s foot. There are a variety of remedies for toenail fungus, including laser treatment. This consists of using a laser to target and destroy the nail fungus without damaging the surrounding skin or nail. Research has indicated there is generally no risk, and most patients do not have side effects. The 10-minute per toenail sessions are typically painless and have a high percentage rate for successful fungal removal. If you have toenail fungus and are interested in this type of treatment, it is strongly advised that you consult with a podiatrist.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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

Many people have swollen feet and it is a rather common condition. It is easily noticed and can be uncomfortable. An injury is a common cause of this ailment which may disappear after the injury has healed. Additionally, there may be underlying health conditions that may cause the feet to swell and it can be a reason to seek prompt medical attention. Many pregnant women experience swollen feet, which is known as edema. Relief can come from frequently elevating the feet and from reducing salt intake. Various lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of swollen feet including sitting down for the majority of the day, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, and being overweight. Edema may happen as a side effect of taking certain medications including antidepressants, hormones, or blood pressure medications. Many people have found effective methods that can help to control swollen feet. These can consist of drinking fresh water daily, staying active, losing an appropriate amount of weight, and consuming a healthy diet. If you suffer from swollen feet and would like to be properly diagnosed, please consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward the correct treatment options.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, 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.

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 one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Peripheral edema is the accumulation of fluids that cause swelling in the lower limbs, such as the ankles. Edema is typically not painful unless it is related to an injury. Swollen ankles are more common in the aged. Health conditions that cause such swelling include pregnancy, heart disease, obesity, and arthritis. Certain medications can also cause or aggravate peripheral edema. Otherwise, swollen ankles usually come from wearing ill-fitting shoes, or sitting, standing, or walking too long. More unusual causes of swollen ankles are wearing tight pants or clothes with elastic ankle seams that can restrict blood flow to the ankles and feet, excessive intake of sodium causing the body to retain water, insect bites, bacterial infections, interference of proper blood flow (from things like blood clots or varicose veins). Other possible causes are lymphedema or malfunction of lymph nodes that prevents flushing of viruses, bacteria, and toxins in the body, kidney, heart, or liver disease, and prolonged inactivity. If swollen ankles are a problem for you, cause you pain, or if the onset of swollen ankles is sudden, it is suggest you see a podiatrist immediately. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Howard Kimmel, DPM from Buckeye 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 one of our offices located in Brook Park and Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.