Onychomycosis is the technical term for toenail fungus. It’s when fungus gets under the nail and causes an infection. You’ll notice that the nail changes color and starts emitting an odor. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the other toes and even the fingers. The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your local podiatrist. 
A podiatrist can help you with a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is the thickening of nerve tissue in the body, with Morton's neuroma specifically happening in the ball of the foot. It’s caused by an irritation in the nerve between the third and fourth toes. Patients experience pain while walking, with a burning, tingling, or numbness. - Trauma or injury to the foot, damaging the nerve and resulting in swelling.
- Improper footwear, like shoes that squeeze the foot together. High heels also increase pressure on the vulnerable areas.
- Recurring stress to the feet through repeated physical activities or exercise. This is common with patients who are constantly on their feet due to their job.
- Deformities of the foot, like a high arch or flat foot. These lead to instability throughout the foot.
- Taping and padding: This is a special type of tape and bandages that you place on the bottom of the foot. This helps with your symptoms.
- Orthotics: These are the custom shoes that your podiatrist can create for you.
- Medication: Cortisone injections reduce the pain and inflammation in the foot. Anti-inflammatory drugs also reduce your swelling.
- Surgery is the last resort for treatment. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis. The injured nerve is removed and recovery takes a few weeks.
How orthotics from your podiatrist in Wilmette, Illinois can help your feet.
Do your feet hurt? If so, you are not alone. Foot pain is a common problem, and it can be caused by several issues. Medical problems, including diabetes, can compromise your feet. Excessive foot stress from playing sports can hurt your feet too. Even walking incorrectly for a long period of time can cause problems.
The good news is, custom-made orthotics can help you and your feet feel better. Dr. Gary Rogers at Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, Illinois, offers a wide range of foot care services, including orthotics, to help your feet.
If you’ve tried orthotics from the store, the truth is, you and your feet deserve better. Custom-made orthotics are created uniquely, just for your feet. Using precise measurements, impressions, and casting, orthotics from your podiatrist can truly help eliminate foot pain.
Orthotics come in three main varieties:
Soft orthotics, which act as shock absorbers and relieve foot pressure; they are an excellent solution for diabetic or arthritic foot problems. They are made from cushioned materials and cover the entire sole of your foot.
Semi-rigid orthotics, which improve balance; they are a great choice for playing sports and are also used to treat flatfoot in children. They are made of layers of both cushioned and rigid materials.
Rigid orthotics, which limit the motion of joints in your foot; these are perfect for relieving strained tendons and aching muscles. They are created from hard plastic materials and should be worn when you are walking or wearing dress shoes.
Don’t let foot pain keep you from enjoying your life. You and your feet deserve to be comfortable, and custom-made orthotics can help. To find out more about orthotics and other foot care services, call Dr. Gary Rogers of Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, Illinois, part of the North Shore University Health System at (847) 256-4434. Call today and treat your feet.
Exercise is an important aspect of keeping our bodies healthy and happy. That’s why it’s so important to wear the correct shoes for certain activities. Whether you’re an athlete, workout buff, or enjoy walking and hiking, you need the proper footwear. It makes the difference between enjoying your favorite activities and sitting out with an avoidable injury. Talk to your podiatrist to have your feet evaluated for your future workout needs.- Running requires shoes with shock absorption. Your feet take on a lot of pressure and friction. Cushioning your shoes in the correct areas keeps you from feeling the pain.
- Traction is important in sports that need quick changes in direction and sprinting, like basketball. Traction should never be too high or low. The right shoes keep you from slipping on the floor while letting you move and pivot.
- Ankle support is a must. It limits the side-to-side movement that knocks your ankle out of alignment. This kind of support keeps ankle sprains at bay. For sports like basketball, hockey, skiing, and skating, make sure that your shoes aren’t too high. Otherwise, they will dig into your Achilles tendon. You can also wear soft ankle braces.
- Arch support varies for everyone. Your podiatrist can test your foot to determine your gait. Depending on the results, your podiatrist can recommend orthotics or special shoe inserts.
A bunion can be a painful and debilitating foot condition, one that cannot be treated without a foot and ankle specialist. However, if you take proper care of your feet, you can reduce your risk of bunion development. Dr. Gary Rogers is a board-certified foot and ankle specialist based at Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Skokie, IL. Here are his tips for preventing bunion development.
What is a Bunion?
A bunion is a hard lump that forms on the base of your big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the toe. Because it pushes the big toe into the next toe, callouses and corns may develop between the two toes. The bone deformity can make wearing shoes very uncomfortable, and over time you may find walking or standing very difficult.
The most likely cause of a bunion is squeezing the feet into narrow, pointed-toe shoes. Over time, this compresses the big toe against the other toes causing the lower joint to protrude from the foot’s natural alignment. Your Skokie foot and ankle specialist will be able to tell how severe your bunion is by taking an X-ray.
How to Prevent Bunion Development
Follow these tips to avoid bunions:
- Always wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
- Avoid shoes with a narrow toe box.
- Wear high heels in moderation.
- Take off your shoes frequently and rest your feet.
- Exercise your feet by stretching them and picking up small objects with your toes.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Bunion Treatment
Bunions can be treated by padding the swelling, wearing orthopedic shoes, and if the condition is severe, with foot surgery.
Don’t suffer in silence with bunions or other foot problems. If you’re looking for a foot and ankle specialist in Skokie, call Dr. Robert on 847-256-4434 to make an appointment.
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