Items filtered by date: June 2021

Ankle pain can be a result of problems that affect the bones, muscles and tissues that support the ankle. One common issue that may occur is an Achilles tendon rupture. This occurs when the tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf is torn as a result of overstretching or overuse. The most common ankle injury is an ankle sprain. Sprains occur when the ligaments that connect the bones become overstretched or torn. Another common problem that can occur is arthritis, the result of the cartilage wearing down, which causes the bones to rub together. Patients who have experienced an injury that limits their ability to move their ankle, or those who can’t put weight on their ankle, or whose pain or condition is worsening, should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Patients who believe they have fractured their ankle should seek immediate medical attention as well.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, 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 are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

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

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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.

Plantar warts are small, fleshy, noncancerous growths that can appear on the soles of the feet due to an HPV infection. Warts may be asymptomatic, or may cause pain and discomfort, especially while walking or standing. Fortunately, plantar warts can be fairly easily treated by a podiatrist. Depending on the type, size, and location of the wart, as well as your personal preferences, the podiatrist can remove the wart by applying salicylic acid directly to the wart, freezing it off with liquid nitrogen, using topical or injected medicines, or removing the wart surgically. If you have one or more warts on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist to get the right treatment 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.

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

Bunions are bony bumps that form on the sides of the big toes, at the base of the big toe joint. They are a common deformity that can push the big toe towards the other toes and make wearing shoes uncomfortable. While bunions can be surgically corrected, your doctor will usually suggest non-surgical treatments first. These treatments won’t cure the bunion, but they will relieve symptoms and can stop the bunion from getting worse. Wearing shoes with low heels and a wide toe box is helpful for relieving pressure on the bunion and makes walking more comfortable. Wearing orthotic inserts in your shoes can help support the foot and improve its alignment. Wearing a toe splint at night immobilizes the toe and holds it in a straighter position. Putting an ice pack on the bunion can help reduce swelling and pain. If you have bunions, please see a podiatrist to learn about more treatment options and find the right ones for you.

If you are suffering from bunions, 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.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail curves and grows down into the skin on the sides of the nail. As the toenail digs into the flesh and the flesh grows around it, pain, inflammation, redness, swelling or even an infection can follow. Common factors that lead to ingrown toenails include genetics (such as poor posture, gait, or a deformity), improperly cutting the toenails, and wearing tight shoes. Ingrown toenails are not usually serious. However, they can become very painful and infected if left untreated. If you have diabetes or a compromised immune system, your nail is in persistent pain, or your nail is showing signs of being infected, you should consult with a podiatrist for a proper treatment option.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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.