Items filtered by date: July 2018

There are many elderly people who may experience foot conditions as they age. Recent research has shown there may be ways to prevent certain foot issues from occurring. The most common preventative measure may be to wear shoes that fit correctly, which may maintain maximum comfortability. It’s beneficial to measure the feet frequently, because they may widen with age. Additionally, many elderly people recognize the importance of avoiding poor circulation in the feet. This may be accomplished by stretching the feet frequently and walking regularly. Athletes foot may be a common foot ailment among seniors, and this may be avoided by wearing appropriate shoes in public showers and surrounding areas. If you are responsible for properly caring for an elder’s feet, please consult with a podiatrist for additional information.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Jeffrey Lerner from Palm Beach Podiatric Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Wellington and Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

One of the seven tarsal bones that are located in the foot is known as the cuboid bone. If you incur an injury to the surrounding joints and ligaments, you may have what is referred to as cuboid syndrome. A common symptom of this condition may often be pain that is experienced in the middle of the foot or at the base of the toes. An injury that occurs suddenly may cause the bones in the center of the foot to dislocate, cuboid syndrome develops when these bones are out of alignment. Common symptoms may include swelling, increased pain in the foot while walking, and tenderness and sensitivity on the sole of the foot. Research has shown that many athletes may tend to suffer from this ailment and the condition may worsen as the pain is often ignored. Patients who walk inward may be more susceptible in developing cuboid syndrome, which may often be a result of the cuboid bone gradually shifting out of place. If you suffer from this condition, it’s advised to seek counsel with a podiatrist to obtain the proper treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Dr. Jeffrey Lerner from Palm Beach Podiatric Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

If you’ve ever had a plantar wart, you are most likely aware of the intense pain and tenderness that is typically experienced while walking. It is known to be caused by the human papillomavirus, which is also referred to as HPV. This particular type of virus typically affects the heel of the foot, and will grow inward as a result of the pressure the heel endures from everyday activities such as walking. The appearance can be a small area with thickened skin and may sometimes have black dots in the center. Treatment options may include utilizing liquid nitrogen that will freeze the wart off, salicylic acid cream, which may be used to burn the wart off, or specific medicine that is applied directly to the wart. It’s important to have a podiatrist properly diagnose your plantar wart to determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Jeffrey Lerner from Palm Beach Podiatric 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 one of our offices located in Wellington and Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe may often be the result of a muscle imbalance in the toes. It is typically a painful and uncomfortable foot condition and is generally caused by wearing poorly fitting shoes or an inherited trait. If high heels are frequently worn, the toes may be crammed into an area that may be too small for the toes to move about in. When this happens, the toes may be forced into a flexed position for long periods of a time. If this condition is not treated promptly, they may permanently remain in a bent position, which may require surgery to repair. Additionally, a toe that has been stubbed or broken may be a cause of hammertoe. Other foot conditions such as corns and calluses may develop on top of the toes as a result of hammertoe. If you feel you have hammertoe, it is strongly suggested to speak to a podiatrist who can suggest proper techniques for a successful treatment.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Jeffrey Lerner from Palm Beach Podiatric Center. 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 one of our offices located in Wellington and Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.