Items filtered by date: March 2024

Bunions, technically known as hallux valgus, are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe joint. They are caused by a structural problem within the foot bones, often the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint. This causes the big toe to angle toward the second toe instead of pointing straight ahead, leading to discomfort and mobility issues. While genetics play a role in the development of bunions, factors like overpronation, foot injuries, arthritis, and nerve or muscle conditions can contribute to bunion development. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and difficulty wearing certain shoes. Conservative treatment, like supportive footwear and pain-relieving medication, are initial options. Cortisone injections may be used for swelling and pain. However, when conservative measures fail, surgical intervention may be necessary to realign the joint and relieve pain. Bunion surgery is typically reserved for severe cases where pain and deformity persist despite other treatments. If you're experiencing bunion pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide personalized treatment options.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Patricia Mcilrath, DPM of Health One Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Reading, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Staying informed about diabetic foot ulcer treatments is necessary for effective patient care. Common interventions include surgical debridement to remove necrotic tissue, antibiotic therapy to combat infection, and vascular assessment to optimize blood flow. Offloading pressure from affected areas is essential for healing. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary to prevent further complications. Additionally, various therapies exist for non-healing wounds, such as advanced dressing. Podiatrists play a vital role in diabetic foot ulcer management, possessing specialized education and skills in this field. By staying abreast of evolving treatments and leveraging multidisciplinary approaches, they can enhance outcomes and improve the quality of life for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers. If you suffer from diabetic foot ulcers, it is strongly suggested that you make routine appointments with a podiatrist for the best care possible.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Patricia Mcilrath, DPM from Health One Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Reading, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Laser treatments for fungal toenails, offer a promising alternative to traditional therapies. Using pulses of energy to generate heat, laser treatments effectively target the infected tissue in the nail bed, destroying the fungus and sterilizing the area to inhibit further growth. While laser therapy has shown high success rates, multiple sessions are typically required for complete eradication. Noticeable improvement is often seen within three to 18 months of consistent treatment. Laser therapy is generally well-tolerated, but potential side effects, such as mild pain or bleeding in the surrounding area may occur. It's essential to seek treatment from a qualified and experienced podiatrist to minimize risks and ensure optimal results. Consulting with a podiatrist is suggested to determine if laser treatment is the right choice for your fungal toenail infection.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Patricia Mcilrath, DPM from Health One Podiatry. 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 our office located in Reading, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot pain is a common experience during the aging process. Common causes of foot pain in older people include changes in foot structure, decreased cushioning in the soles of the feet, and a natural reduction in skin elasticity. Conditions like arthritis, which become more prevalent with age, can contribute to joint pain and inflammation in the feet. Older people often experience lowered circulation and slower healing processes, which can make foot problems worse. Chronic conditions such as diabetes can also lead to neuropathy, causing tingling, numbness, and pain in the feet. It is important to choose the right footwear and practice good foot hygiene to prevent any additional pain. If you are experiencing foot pain as an older adult, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist who can offer a diagnosis for foot pain and management techniques. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Patricia Mcilrath, DPM from Health One Podiatry. 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 our office located in Reading, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.