Ingrown toenails can be painful and can make wearing shoes or walking uncomfortable. Seek professional help if you believe you've developed an ingrown toenail and be treated safely.
(205) 633-3606
(205) 633-3606
Ingrown toenails can be painful and can make wearing shoes or walking uncomfortable. Seek professional help if you believe you've developed an ingrown toenail and be treated safely.
When treating foot problems in people with systemic conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, a coordinated approach is essential. These health issues can quietly affect the feet, leading to complications such as poor circulation, nerve damage, joint deformities, or slow-healing wounds. Proper management often requires collaboration between podiatrists and other health care providers. In people with diabetes, monitoring for skin changes, numbness, and ulcers is critical, as unnoticed injuries can progress quickly. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation and joint damage can alter foot shape and function, increasing the risk of pain, instability, and skin problems. Regular foot exams, custom orthotics, and wearing appropriate footwear are often part of a long-term care plan. If you have diabetes or arthritis and are noticing changes in your feet, it is suggested you visit a podiatrist to prevent complications and protect your overall health.
When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Robert Hope from Riverside Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.
Systemic Diseases of the Feet
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Surgery for ingrown toenails may be recommended when pain, swelling, or infection surrounding the nail does not improve or recurs frequently. An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, most often affecting the big toe. Causes include improper nail trimming, toe injuries, or pressure from wearing tight shoes. When conservative care fails or the condition is worsened by diabetes or circulation problems, a podiatrist may suggest surgery to remove part or all of the ingrown toenail. After numbing the toe, the ingrown section is trimmed away, and, in some cases, the nail matrix is treated with a chemical or heated device to prevent regrowth. This helps relieve pressure and reduces the chance of the nail growing inward again. Although regrowth can take months, the procedure is generally effective. If you have a problematic ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment plan.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Robert Hope of Riverside Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that typically forms on the bottom of the foot in individuals with diabetes. It is caused by a combination of poor circulation, nerve damage, and prolonged pressure or injury that goes unnoticed due to reduced sensation. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, drainage, or a visible sore that does not heal. Risk factors include uncontrolled blood sugar, foot deformities, and wearing improper footwear. A podiatrist plays a key role in early detection, wound care, infection prevention, and long-term foot health. If you have diabetes and notice any changes in your feet, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition and avoid complications.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Robert Hope from Riverside Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Poor circulation in the feet occurs when blood flow is restricted, often leading to discomfort, numbness, or a cold feeling. Causes include peripheral artery disease, diabetes, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Symptoms of poor circulation include tingling in the feet and toes, swelling, discoloration, or slow-healing wounds. These signs should not be ignored, as they may indicate more serious health conditions. A podiatrist can evaluate circulation, perform diagnostic tests, and recommend treatments such as compression therapy and lifestyle changes. If you experience persistent foot discomfort or signs of poor circulation, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation and personalized care plan to improve your foot health and overall well-being.
Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Robert Hope of Riverside Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Poor Circulation in the Feet
Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.
Causes
Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:
Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.
As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Tuscaloosa, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
