Items filtered by date: October 2020

A sprained ankle is a common type of ankle injury. It occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle gets overstretched or torn. There are many different ways that you could sprain your ankle. Some of the most common instances include slipping while walking downhill, stepping in a hole, turning the foot abruptly while playing a sport, or even putting your weight down on your foot awkwardly. Ankle sprains are classified into various levels of severity, ranging from mild grade 1 sprains where the ligament is only slightly stretched, to severe grade 3 sprains, where the ligament is completely torn. If you believe that you have sprained your ankle, it is strongly recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, 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.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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.

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

A fungal infection of the toenails can be unpleasant, unsightly, and sometimes even painful. It can also lead to more severe complications in people who have diabetes or poor circulation. If you have toenail fungus, you may find that you have thickened, discolored, brittle, or crumbly toenails. Additionally, the shape of your nail bed may change, and the feet may have an odor, ranging from mild to foul. These symptoms could worsen over time if left untreated. Treatments for toenail fungus can include oral medications, medicated nail polishes or creams, and in more severe cases, nail removal. If you notice that the condition of your nails is worsening, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment.

For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Jeffrey Lerner of Palm Beach Podiatric Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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 tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

As the colder months approach, you may find that your heels are becoming increasingly dry and cracked. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to help. Soaking your feet in a lukewarm oatmeal bath for about 20 minutes and then applying a moisturizer to the feet may help, as can soaking your feet in an Epsom salt bath. You can prevent dry, cracked heels by wearing appropriate footwear and protecting your feet from extremely hot or cold weather. When bathing, avoid exposing your feet to extremely hot water as well. When you wash your feet, choose a soap that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate or artificial fragrances, as these ingredients can often dry out the feet. If your dry heels persist, or if you develop deep, painful cracks, is it strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist for treatment.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, 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.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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.

A hard lump in your foot could have a wide variety of underlying causes. Damage or injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the foot can cause a hard lump to develop. Some foot lumps are caused by skin problems, such as skin tags, cysts, and neurofibromas. These conditions are usually benign. Inflammation in the foot from various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, can also cause foot lumps, as can inflammation from infections. Pressure from wearing ill-fitted shoes, warts, corns, bunions, and Morton’s neuroma are other common reasons why you may have a hard lump in your foot. For a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, consult with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, 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.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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.