5 Common Conditions Seen By a Podiatrist and Treatment Options

In a podiatry office, A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine provides comprehensive care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions that affect people of all ages. In this article, we will discuss five common conditions and how they are treated to alleviate the misery of foot pain and give patients their quality of life back.

An ingrown nail occurs when a toenail is curved downward and grows into the skin which results in irritation, pain, redness, swelling, infection, and purulent drainage. The causes of the ingrown nail are family history, trauma, physical activities, tight shoes, or improper trimming of nails. The treatment should be seeking the consultation of a podiatrist. The initial treatment option is to remove the ingrown nail, flushing the area, oral antibiotics, and ridding of the nail root which prevents future reoccurrences.  Recently, another initial option has been implemented with success; a product called Onyfix can be used to correct the curvature of the ingrown nail. This is a topical non-invasive, non-painful, non-surgical approach requiring only a 30 min office visit. It is an application of a topical medical-grade resin, dried with UV light, and stays in place on top of the nail to grow with the nail as it corrects the curvature. This correction can be seen in 2-6 months. 

Flat feet are characterized by the partial or total collapse of the foot arch. This condition usually begins in childhood or adolescence and progresses in severity into adulthood.  Symptoms can be wide-ranging from low endurance in activities, pain in the joints of the body such as arch, heel, ankle, knee, hips, and back. Treatment options can be non-invasive with orthotics, physical therapy, and shoe modifications. With recent technological advances, correction of flatfeet can be done in the office, placement of a realignment stent under local anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. Patients can walk out of the office on the same day in a surgical boot, pain is managed with prescription ibuprofen, and returns to sneakers in about 4 weeks. 

One of the most recognizable and most common conditions that people unnecessarily suffer the pain for years before seeking treatment. It is a development of a bump on the side of the big toe joint, this represents a change in the alignment and integrity of the big toe joint. The big toe leans towards the other toes, becoming progressively worse over time, and increasing the malalignment and size of the bump.  As the bunion becomes worse, the other toes begin to contract, almost having a claw-like orientation, causing irritation to the knuckle and tip of the toes. The causes are family history, certain foot types, shoe gear, trauma, and injuries. With the development minimal invasive surgery for foot deformities, the correction of bunion/hammertoes can take place in an office setting, with only local anesthesia, realigning the bones to allow the body to heal naturally and organically. No metal hardware is used, and patients walk on the same day and continues to ambulate throughout the recovery process.  Full recovery is approximately 2-6 wks.

Heel pain is often caused by irritation and inflammation of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and heel spur on the bottom of the foot or on the back of the heel. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, burning, stabbing, achy, worsen over time or after a period of rest. The most common causes are structural deformities, poor shoe gear, job-related stresses, sudden change in activity level, and family history. Treatment options can be non-invasive such as orthotics, physical therapy, stretching before activity, shoe modifications, and medications. Invasive options can include cortisone injections, fascia release, heel spur being filed down, and correction of structural deformities such as flat feet. All of which can be done in an office setting while under fluoroscopic guidance and with local anesthesia. Patients walk out of the office in a surgical boot, pain management with prescription ibuprofen, and return to sneakers in about 2-4 weeks.

These and other treatments are offered at Feet ‘N Beyond, call Dr. Yong Zhu or Dr. Helene Nguyen for a consultation to discuss your foot conditions and your concerns at 908-576-0880.