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Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford, D.P.M.

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford D.P.M. is a top Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) in Lee Charlotte and Collier Counties, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford D.P.M. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford D.P.M. is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford D.P.M. is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Lee Charlotte and Collier Counties, Fl, Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford D.P.M. is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
Dr. Joel Charles Rutherford, D.P.M.
  • Lee Charlotte and Collier Counties, Fl
  • Accepting new patients

How can I control the bad smell from my feet?

Excessively Sweaty Smelly Feet: This sounds like Hyperhydrosis. It is estimated that 5% of the worlds population has this very problem. Its exact cause is unknown, although many READ MORE
Excessively Sweaty Smelly Feet:
This sounds like Hyperhydrosis. It is estimated that 5% of the worlds population has this very problem. Its exact cause is unknown, although many think it to be inherited. What we know for sure is that excessive sweating of feet contained in a dark and enclosed spot (your shoes) for long periods of time can lead to skin breakdown, infections, and create a perfect storm environment for bacterial and fungal growth. The byproducts of these microbial organisms can smell bad.
So what can you do about it?
Practical Solutions:
Wash your feet at least twice/day, then apply talcum powder or corn starch. If you have athlete's foot, then also use an over-the-counter anti-fungal medication. Wear absorbant socks. Wicker (acrylic) socks or cotton (changed frequently) would be helpful, too.
More Aggressive methods:
If that does not work, then visit your podiatrist or dermatologist. Other treatment modalities involve oral anticholinergic and/or anti-anxiety medications (needs physician monitoring), electrical currents (iontophoresis), clinical strength antiperspirants, and botox.

Going Overboard: Other more aggressive methodologies such as sympathectomy (cut the sympathetic nerve that innervates sweat glands) or a particular laser treatment that destroys (ablates) the odor causing glands. Both of these methods have high degrees of risk, however, for other side effects that might be worse than the hyperhydrosis itself. I would therefore not recommend them.

The Organic Proponents: As always, there are alternative methods of medicine that may claim to treat this condition, but probably have very limited applications.
Bottom Line: In almost all cases, the practical solutions will be quite sufficient, but if they are not, seek out a physician well-versed in these areas.

To your good foot health,
Dr. Joel C. Rutherford, DPM

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

Quick Action: Removing tiny glass fragments from the plantar (bottom) soft tissue of your foot needs to be performed delicately and ASAP. This procedure can be relatively easy READ MORE
Quick Action:
Removing tiny glass fragments from the plantar (bottom) soft tissue of your foot needs to be performed delicately and ASAP. This procedure can be relatively easy or difficult depending on how deep the glass shard is located and how quickly you report to your podiatrist. Typically, X-rays are not able to differentiate glass from soft tissue because the densities of both are so similar. One key element to locating the glass is to know how to do the least cutting when removing this foreign body. It is prudent to remove the glass immediately, before it migrates deeper into the foot.

Avoid Infection:
Also note that you need to avoid the risk of infection as soon as possible. Soft tissue infections are usually treated easily with antibiotics, whereas bone infections (may occur if treatment is delayed for too long) are often only resolvable by removing the infected bone (partial amputation).

Bottom Line:
If you have glass in your foot, then you need to get this looked at as soon as possible. Podiatrists are foot experts. Orthopedic Surgeons trained in foot surgery are also excellent choices. Other allied clinicians may be of assistance as well.

Why does my foot feel heavy?

Your peroneal muscles on the lateral (outer side) of your legs along with the anterior (front) leg muscles help to dorsiflex (lift up) your feet to clear objects and the ground READ MORE
Your peroneal muscles on the lateral (outer side) of your legs along with the anterior (front) leg muscles help to dorsiflex (lift up) your feet to clear objects and the ground when you walk. If you are dragging your foot or feet, you may be experiencing difficulty with this dorsiflexion motion. You may want to get a gait analysis from a podiatrist, an "emg" to test your nerve impulses or even visit a vascular physician to check out your lower extremity circulation. There are a number of things that could be at the root of this. It could even be an idiopathic (undiagnosed) condition that is self-limiting and requiring no intervention. I, however, recommend seeing your family physician for an appropriate referral.

Dr. Joel C. Rutherford, DPM