Items filtered by date: July 2021

Heel fissures (cracked heels) that deepen may not only be unattractive, but painful. Left untreated, they may form hardened calluses, bleed, or even become infected. Cracked heels are usually the result of dry skin. Sometimes, this is exacerbated by obesity—which can cause dry skin to stiffen and crack when it is overly stretched. Standing on hard flooring for prolonged periods, as well as wearing poorly fitting or open-back shoes, or having certain foot disorders, psoriasis, eczema, and other medical conditions may also contribute to the development of cracked heels. You can help prevent heel fissures from occurring by keeping your feet hydrated with emollient or humectant moisturizers, limiting your time in the shower or bath, and opting for warm, rather than hot, water. Severely cracked or bleeding heels should be cared for by a podiatrist who can help prevent them from becoming infected.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot pain is a common ailment among many patients, and there are several reasons why this can occur. Foot sprains can cause severe pain and discomfort, and can happen as a result of tearing or overstretching the ligaments. Plantar fasciitis affects the heel and arch of the foot, and it can cause difficulty walking and completing daily activities. Some patients experience tarsal tunnel syndrome, and symptoms of this condition can consist of a tingling or numbing sensation in the bottom of the foot. Charcot arthropathy of the foot can cause the bones in the foot and ankle to weaken. Any type of foot pain requires a consultation with a podiatrist, who can effectively diagnose and treat your pain. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced 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 one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe is a deformity of one or more of the little toes in which the toe is bent downward at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like shape. This condition can be painful, make your toe joints stiff, swollen and rigid, and lead to corns, calluses, and inflammation on the affected toe. Hammertoe is thought to be caused by frequently wearing ill-fitting shoes. These are shoes that may be too tight or too narrow in the toe area, as well as shoes with excessively high heels, which push the toes forward and into an unnatural position. Shoes are not the only potential cause of hammertoe, however. Various anatomical problems, bunions, MTP joint instability, and prior trauma to the toe can all make a hammertoe more likely. If you have hammertoe, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist to find the right treatment for you. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have a job that requires you to stand all day, there are things you can do to alleviate swelling and pain to help prevent further foot complications from developing over time. Wear good shoes that offer support, cushioning, and stability—and when they get worn out, replace them. Custom orthotics designed and fit your individual foot by a podiatrist can help your feet withstand the pressure of standing all day. Compression stockings can help circulation and reduce swelling. When you get home from work, soak your feet in a warm bath, or try icing them to reduce swelling and massaging them to relieve sore muscles. You can also ask a podiatrist to suggest exercises that massage the heel, and stretch your feet, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles. A podiatrist may also be able to recommend the best type of shoe for your particular feet.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.