One of the troubling things about ulcers of the foot and ankle are that, even after they have been treated successfully, they may come back. The recurrence may be at the site of the original ulcer or a new location. For this reason, thorough feet inspections should be part of the daily routine for anyone who has had ulcers before or who has one of the medical conditions often associated with ulcers. These conditions include diabetes,high blood pressure, blood clots, phlebitis, swelling, poor arterial circulation and injury. People prone to ulcers may be advised to cleanse their feet daily with chlorhexidine solution as well as apply powder or dry skin lotion before putting on stockings and shoes.

Here at Family Foot and Ankle Care we firmly believe in helping you to help yourself. We will make recommendations to you as to how you can help resolve your particular foot and ankle concerns. Whether it is about preventing ulcers from resurfacing, or any other foot or ankle condition. We will take the time to answer your questions and explain any procedures. We want you to be informed about and actively involved in your foot and ankle health care.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Pressure from weight bearing or from shoes and tight legwear are common causes of ulcers.

The sight of a jogger bounding around the corner into a glowing sunrise seems to be a picture of health. I many ways it is, but there may also be unhealthy aspects, including overuse injuries of the foot, ankle and lower leg. In such cases, repeated stress typically wears down an area of bone, muscle, tendon and ligament, resulting in a tear or break. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle are particularly common in runners. The first symptoms of such and injury may be mild pain, sometimes described as a tearing feeling.If that signal is ignored and the overuse continues, the stress fracture will worsen, until the person is in pain even when resting. The longer the condition is allowed to progress, the greater the damage may be.

There is no question that running is good for you, but it can put extra demands on your body. When your feet hurt, it is all too common to accept this as due to a hard day at work or play. Healthy feet are not supposed to hurt, and it is our job at Family Foot and Ankle Care to find out why yours do. If being active is a big part of your life, consult your podiatrist about how to prevent as well as treat foot and ankle injuries and conditions.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. People who suddenly increase their exercising or begin new running programs may be susceptible to overuse injuries.

When it comes to thinking about medical care, toenails are literally about the farthest things from our minds. Sooner or later, though, one of a number of foot problems may make toenail surgery an option. If so, it may be reassuring to know that most of these procedures are done in the office setting, with patients walking afterward. A local anesthetic and a small procedure are usually all that are required for such treatments as removing a portion of the nail or nail root. Sometimes, in rare cases, the bone underneath a nail needs to be removed and this is done in a same day surgery center. Chemical cauterization is the most common procedure for ingrown toenails. Any mild discomfort from the procedure will generally pass within a few days.

Don’t despair if surgery is recommended for your ingrown toenail as opposed to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic treatment does not always address the nail problem that caused the ingrown in the first place. We at Family Foot and Ankle Care use the latest techniques and sterilization methods. It is very important for diabetics to seek immediate care for this condition which could worsen and cause even greater problems.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Toenail problems that may call for surgery include injury, ingrown or incurvated nails, and fungus or thickened toenails

Some kinds of pain you just can’t ignore! A case in point occurs when a nerve under the weight-bearing part of the foot becomes pinched or trapped between skin and bone over a period of time, resulting in a protective growth called a neuroma. This thickened nerve typically will eventually grow to press on nearby bones, resulting in the symptoms described variously as burning, stabbing, pins-and-needles, cramping, or shooting pain. Unlike a passing muscle cramp, the discomfort of a neuroma does not cause the toes to change position. While neuromas can be terribly painful, a change in footwear, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and steroid medications, and possible use of orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) can often relieve the condition.

If you suffer from sharp pain, numbness, or a burning feeling in your toes, a nerve or a back condition (radiculopathy), and/or diabetic neuropathy may also be the cause. Nerve conditions can be hard to detect. At Family Foot and Ankle Care, we use the latest diagnostic testing for nerve problems. We are trained to identify them, relieve any pain they cause, and correct them wherever possible.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Neur means “nerve” and oma means “tumor”, but a neuroma is actually a thickening of nerve tissue, not a true tumor.

The human foot tends to be a go-along sort, often taking years of hard use before throwing out a complaint. When those complaints come, however, they can be doozies. The good news is that some regular maintenance can help keep your feet happy, as well as relieve many common problems. Start with a daily inspection for redness, cracks in the skin, or other signs of irritation. Moisturizing your feet daily with doctor approved creams and lotions can keep skin soft when applied after bathing. Wearing shoes that “breathe” (such as those made of leather,fabric or perforated materials) can discourage growth of bacteria and fungi. If you notice any trouble signs, get professional help before they turn into serious problems.

In addition to relieving pain and correcting your current foot problems, your podiatrist can provide tips to help you avoid foot trouble down the road. Although some foot problems are hereditary, there’s lots you can do to make sure your feet stand up to years of wear and tear. Preventive foot care can make a big difference in your mobility and health. Come see us at Family Foot and Ankle Care where we can work with you to keep those feet healthy and active.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Daily foot care is especially important for the elderly and people with circulation problems.

Now that the kids are back in school and back in gym classes, they are likely to bring home unwanted foot problems. Both athlete’s foot and plantar warts are contagious skin ailments which flourish in the warm, moist environment of the locker room floor and in the equally warm, moist atmosphere of a sneakered foot. Athlete’s foot or Tinea Pedis is caused by a fungus. In early stages, fluid filled blisters occur on the soles or sides of the feet or in between the toes. Later, these areas develop red, dry, scaly cracks and fissures. Secondary infections are common and can be dangerous. Plantar warts look like small calluses on the soles of the foot, but have dark, hard centers. They are caused by a virus and are similar to the raised warts which can develop elsewhere. The pressure of walking drives them inward, causing severe pain. The podiatrist can treat both of these conditions.

Committed to the health of your feet, podiatric medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing foot and ankle problems such as athlete’s foot and plantar warts. If you or your family notices the symptoms of mild scaling and itching to painful inflammation and blisters, it’s time to turn to a professional for an accurate diagnosis. Family Foot and Ankle Care offers complete podiatric care for all members of your family.

Dr. Marc Fink

To prevent such problems,keep feet clean and dry. Avoid going barefoot

Even before children are old enough to use their feet for little more than waving in the air, parents should give some thought to foot care. To allow muscles to develop, a baby should never be bundled so tightly that feet are restricted from moving freely. Also, use baby walkers and jumpers with caution. Early overuse of walkers may cause muscles in the back of the leg to shorten, and walkers have been associated with a variety of injuries. When letting the child bounce in a jumper, place something soft, such as an exercise mat, under the feet to avoid stressing bones. Use bathing or changing times to watch for the signs of foot trouble, including growth, swelling, discoloration or tenderness.

From baby’s tender toes to Grandma’s more “experienced” feet, we can all greatly benefit from regular podiatric care. In addition to treating diseases, disorders and deformities, we counsel our patients on how to prevent future foot problems from developing. We offer foot care for the feet and ankles of all shapes and sizes at Family Foot and Ankle Care. We are the complete practice for all the family.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Some children are born with extra toes or web toes, these usually can be surgically corrected

Your feet may be about as far away from your heart as you can get, but they are often the first place to look for signs of a circulatory problem known as peripheral vascular disease, or hardening of the arteries. Among the early symptoms of the condition are deteriorated hair growth on the toes, and toenails that become diseased and disfigured. The feet may also tend to turn bright red after sitting for extended periods of time without keeping the legs elevated. Calf pains while walking or exercising are other strong indicators. To diagnose the condition, a podiatrist may begin by checking the pulses in the foot and ankle, and follow with testing using ultrasound or a pulse volume recorder.

The feet are the foundation of the body, and keeping them strong and healthy is key to your entire body’s well-being. When foot problems occur, correcting them early on, often leads to the correction of aches, pains and problems with other parts of the body. When foot problems point to trouble elsewhere in the body, we at Family Foot and Ankle Care will work with other specialists to treat and diagnose those problems.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Risk factors for peripheral vascular disease include smoking,diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol

Aches and pains of the foot are among the most often ignored physical complaints. When discomfort is a symptom of arthritis, however, refusing to pay attention can have disastrous results. While most types of arthritis cannot be cured, early treatment can bring the condition under control or into remission, limiting pain and irreversible bone and cartilage damage. Symptoms to watch for include joint swelling, pain and tenderness, redness or heat, stiffness (especially upon arising in the morning), rashes and skin growths, and/or impaired movement. Treatment to control inflammation and maximize foot function may include exercise, physical therapy, medication, orthotics (custom shoe inserts)or in severe cases, surgery.

Many are plagued by arthritis and are not aware of it for many years. One of the best things to do to take good care of your feet, is to seek the care of a podiatrist. Podiatrists are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle arthritis. At Famiy Foot and Ankle Care we will do all we can do for you including taking blood work for arthritic indicators, using Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections and physical therapy modalities.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. The foot has 33 individual joints, each of which can be affected by arthritis

The feet are prone to developing all sorts of bumps and lumps. An danger sometimes arises when people spot one type of growth and begin self-treatment according to what they think it is, when in fact, the growth is something entirely different. The plantar wart is often a prime target of such mistaken identity. Because they commonly occur on the the bottom, or “plantar”, part of the foot or toes, warts can appear to the untrained eye to be corns or callouses. Characteristics include spongy appearance and small dark spots(from blood vessels that feed the warts) in the center. A faint,light ring may encircle the growths. An accurate diagnosis can be the first step toward safe, successful removal.

Feet seem especially susceptible to skin problems of all kinds, including warts. It might be because of the time they spend in the dark, moist places or it might be because of the lack of attention they get. Whatever the cause, a podiatrist is well equipped to to help provide the cure, from medications to surgery. Here at Family Foot and Ankle Care we use several state of the art treatments for warts.

Dr. Marc Fink

P.S. Most surgical wart removals takes only a few minutes and is relatively painless with the patient walking away after the procedure.