expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Peter Redko, DPM, FACFAS

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Peter Redko is a board certified foot and ankle surgeon and has been with North Bay Foot & Ankle center since 2004. Prior to relocating to Petaluma, Dr. Redko was the chief of foot and ankle surgery at Beverly Hills Surgical Institute in Los Angeles. He currently has offices in Petaluma and Sonoma and is on staff at Palm Drive, Petaluma Valley. Novato Community, and Sonoma Valley Hospitals.
Dr. Peter Redko, DPM, FACFAS
Specializes in:
  • Podiatrist
  • Petaluma, CA
  • Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Accepting new patients

Why do I keep getting an ingrown toenail?

Yes, a chronically ingrown nail can be fixed, through a "matrixectomy" procedure. Ask your podiatrist about these options.

A glass piece has gone inside my foot and the area has become red. Will a podiatrist be able to help me?

Yes, go see your podiatrist. They can see if the glass is there with an ultrasound and take the shard out in the office if it's not too deep.

Are there any side effects of wearing acupuncture slippers for a long time?

Probably not if they are not causing you discomfort or forcing you to walk awkwardly.

I have pus-filled white bumps around my ankle. What could this be?

Are you sure they are pus filled? These could also be piezogenic papules, which are prominent fat pockets. Have your doc evaluate this

What is the best way of recovering from a sprain?

There are 3 grades of sprain, so it depends how bad your sprain is. Usually a period of 2-6 weeks of immobilization followed by physical therapy and continued bracing for 6 months READ MORE
There are 3 grades of sprain, so it depends how bad your sprain is. Usually a period of 2-6 weeks of immobilization followed by physical therapy and continued bracing for 6 months with physical activity, as long as your improving.

Ingrown toenail surgery now have thick ridged nails

Have the nail tested to see if it's just damage to the nail, or if there is also fungal involvement. Then you can discuss options with your doc to see if anti-fungal treatment READ MORE
Have the nail tested to see if it's just damage to the nail, or if there is also fungal involvement. Then you can discuss options with your doc to see if anti-fungal treatment is warranted.

Why does my ankle sprain easily?

If you've had chronic ankle sprains, the ligaments become progressively weaker and the ankle becomes more unstable, increasing your chances of further ankle sprains. Physical therapy READ MORE
If you've had chronic ankle sprains, the ligaments become progressively weaker and the ankle becomes more unstable, increasing your chances of further ankle sprains. Physical therapy to strengthen the ankle is important along with bracing as a start.

I have a bone growth under my heel and it hurts. What should I do?

Hi, It could be a bone spur, If you've already had this evaluated. Unless you had an injury, it's most likely the soft tissue called the plantar fascia that is attached to the READ MORE
Hi, It could be a bone spur, If you've already had this evaluated. Unless you had an injury, it's most likely the soft tissue called the plantar fascia that is attached to the bone spur that is causing pain. It should be treated with rest, stretching, support, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, orthotics and managed by your podiatrist

I get cramps in my foot very frequently. What could be wrong?

Cramps can be caused by not drinking enough water, lack of minerals like potassium and magnesium, not giving enough time for muscles to relax, or may be more serious causes due READ MORE
Cramps can be caused by not drinking enough water, lack of minerals like potassium and magnesium, not giving enough time for muscles to relax, or may be more serious causes due to vascular problems. Make sure to drink enough water for your activity level during the day and eat the equivalent of an orange or banana a day. This is the easiest start. If your symptoms continue then see your doc to evaluate you.

What is the treatment for hammer toe?

With time we loose the fat padding on the balls and soles of our feet, and there is less cushioning and shock absorption. When we develop a hammertoe, the toe curls and places READ MORE
With time we loose the fat padding on the balls and soles of our feet, and there is less cushioning and shock absorption. When we develop a hammertoe, the toe curls and places increased pressure under the ball of the foot, leading to pain, Your mom needs better cushioning, support, and pressure distribution padding to better balance the increased pressures under the foot.

How can I prevent foot issues?

See you podiatrist to properly evaluate your feet to see what if the best option to match your daily requirements of your feet, even more so if your diabetic or have other medical READ MORE
See you podiatrist to properly evaluate your feet to see what if the best option to match your daily requirements of your feet, even more so if your diabetic or have other medical issues which may affect your feet.

I have had repeated sprains in my ankle. Will it keep happening? What can I do?

If you have chronic sprains the ligaments become progressively weaker and then can sprain more easily. It's important to see your podiatrist to start treating your recurrent problem, READ MORE
If you have chronic sprains the ligaments become progressively weaker and then can sprain more easily. It's important to see your podiatrist to start treating your recurrent problem, before it gets worse.

Foot pain in the morning

This sounds like text book plantar fasciitis symptoms, an acute inflammatory condition which can progress to a chronic degenerative condition if not treated. See your podiatrist READ MORE
This sounds like text book plantar fasciitis symptoms, an acute inflammatory condition which can progress to a chronic degenerative condition if not treated. See your podiatrist

I feel like the bottoms of my feet are swollen. What could be wrong?

Are you on your feet a lot during the day? It could be an overuse condition. Does rest help? Are you wearing supportive shoes? It it's going on for more than 2 weeks, see your READ MORE
Are you on your feet a lot during the day? It could be an overuse condition. Does rest help? Are you wearing supportive shoes? It it's going on for more than 2 weeks, see your doc

I have white spots on the bottom of my feet. What could these be?

If you have no idea why these developed, they could be piezogenic papules, otherwise known as normal fat bundles, which our soles are made up of. See your doc is something doesn't READ MORE
If you have no idea why these developed, they could be piezogenic papules, otherwise known as normal fat bundles, which our soles are made up of. See your doc is something doesn't seem right

Could foot odor be a sign of an infection?

It could be a hyperhidrosis condition, where your sweat pores release too much fluid, and bacteria break down the salts, releasing an odor. Have you tried applying a clear gel READ MORE
It could be a hyperhidrosis condition, where your sweat pores release too much fluid, and bacteria break down the salts, releasing an odor. Have you tried applying a clear gel anti-perspirant to the bottom of your soles and using an anti-fungal spray in your shoes daily? This can also be a fungal infection. See your doc for treatment options.

I have a strange pain in the bottom of my feet. What could be the reason for this?

Probably an overuse strain. Would be helpful to alleviate the pressure points with shoegear modification or an orthotic. This would allow you to go further and help you loose weight READ MORE
Probably an overuse strain. Would be helpful to alleviate the pressure points with shoegear modification or an orthotic. This would allow you to go further and help you loose weight in the long run. See your doc to evaluate you properly

Why could my feet be so itchy?

Itchy bumps on the bottom of the feet could be athlete's foot, a fungal skin infection. See your doc to evaluate and treat this properly.

Can bath salts help in treating heel pain?

Warm salt baths can be therapeutic for your sore feet, so you're welcome to try soaking them for 20 mins daily. That being said, treating heel pain effectively requires a professional READ MORE
Warm salt baths can be therapeutic for your sore feet, so you're welcome to try soaking them for 20 mins daily. That being said, treating heel pain effectively requires a professional evaluation and treatment plan.

Do acupuncture shoes help with heel pain?

It's hard to say if these will help. Professional acupuncture acts to block the pain meridians in your body, electrical junction boxes, thus relieving pain. It's difficult to predict READ MORE
It's hard to say if these will help. Professional acupuncture acts to block the pain meridians in your body, electrical junction boxes, thus relieving pain. It's difficult to predict if the shoes can achieve a similar result.