Diabetes, Holidays, and Your Feet

By Dr. Mark Whitesides The holidays are often a time of sweet foods and treats. If you are living with diabetes, it can be difficult to avoid these things at this time of the year! You are not alone. According to the CDC, there are over 34 million people in the US living with diabetes. And some of most common problems with diabetes involve the feet. Diabetes can affect the blood flow into legs and feet, called peripheral vascular disease. It can also affect the nerves to the lower extremities, causing numbness. This is called peripheral neuropathy. These disease processes can both lead to ulcers, which are wounds that do not heal normally. This is why a podiatrist is an ...

Hallux Rigidus, or “Big Toe Arthritis”

By: Dr. Vanatius Babila Tita I remember telling a younger active patient that she had hallux rigidus, or “big toe arthritis” and her response was one I hear often when discussing arthritis: “Isn’t that like something that happens when you are older?” Well, the answer is “no.” Hallux rigidus, like most other arthritis, does not have a clear cause, but it has been attributed overuse, injuries, genetics, osteoarthritis, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Having hallux rigidus does not mean that you are at higher risk for developing other arthritis in other joints such as your hips or knees. The symptoms of hallux rigidus include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and prominent bone spur formation. The condition is progressive and can get worst ...

The Disease of Kings

By Dr. Michelle Vi Nguyen Ah, it must be good to be king: insurmountable wealth, gorgeous castles, lavish meals, and gout. Wait, what? – Yes, gout! Gout was historically deemed the “disease of kings” because it was associated with an opulent lifestyle. The onset of symptoms seemed to correlate with overindulgence of food and alcohol, a diet that only kings enjoyed. It was one of King Henry VIII’s lifetime companions, as if six wives were not enough! These days, we understand gout occurs when there is an accumulation of uric acid in a joint. Everyone produces uric acid. Approximately 2/3 of uric acid is made in our bodies naturally and the remaining 1/3 we consume in the form of purines. ...

Forefoot Pain: Could It Be Your Plantar Plate?

By: Dr. Jaya Rajagopalan Do you love wearing high heels and sometimes too-tight shoes?And does that sometimes make your forefoot hurt? A lot? Forefoot pain is a common condition that causes problems for many people. There are many common conditions associated with the pain in the forefoot, including bunions, hammer toes, neuromas, and more. One less known aggravator is the plantar plate injury. Forefoot pain can present as a burning sensation, aching, or throbbing. It often feels worse with activities such as yoga. It can also feel like a pebble is under your foot. Sometimes, the little toes will even “float” or “sit up” in comparison to the rest of its compadres. Over time, the toe may even drift to ...

The Achilles Heel

By: Dr. Kim L. Dao We’ve heard of the mythological definition of the Achilles Heel: The idiomatic weakness or vulnerability that brings about a hero’s downfall. Anatomically, the Achilles tendon is an area that can be prone to injury ranging from tendinitis to a full-blown rupture. The Achilles tendon is a thick cord as the muscles of the calf converge and connect to the back of the calcaneus or heel bone. This particular structure is easily injured in those who are active, especially in high-impact sports such as running and basketball. You may have heard of athletes who have been placed on the injured list due to Achilles tendinitis or rupture (partially or completely). Most notably: Kevin Durant during his ...

Skin Cancer… on your FEET?

By: Dr. Michelle Vi Nguyen Holy Moly, it’s summer already! May is Skin Cancer Prevention month and now that it’s officially sandal season, it is time to get our feet ready for some fun in the sun. Do you always remember to put sunscreen on your feet? Skin cancers can occur anywhere, so we must be just as diligent in protecting the skin of our feet as everywhere else on our body. Don’t Be Fooled! Skin cancers are infamous for being great mimickers. For example, Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can be mistaken for warts and blisters. Melanoma can appear as moles and freckles on the feet. If you notice a lesion on your foot that is undergoing ...

Nervous Nellie over Neuromas

By: Dr. Kim L. Dao A common condition that can affect the feet is a neuroma. What is a neuroma? It is a growth of nerve tissue located at the ball of the foot. Although it can occur between any of the toes, it typically presents in the space between the 3rd and 4th toes. It is common enough that it has its own name: Morton’s neuroma. This condition usually presents as pain, radiating burning or tingling, or at worst, even numbness. These symptoms can be aggravated with walking or any weight bearing activity. The repetitive compression; and therefore, irritation to the nerve causes inflammation, and over time cause thickening of the nerve tissue itself until it becomes a benign ...

Pandemic Foot Issues

By: Dr. Mark Whitesides This past year has been challenging for oh-so-many reasons. As foot and ankle specialists, we have seen an increased number of lower extremity issues that are related to behavior changes during the pandemic. These include more time being barefoot at home, changing exercise patterns to cope with the pandemic, and common household conditions that can cause trauma to your feet. There are plenty of challenges in the world right now, and we are here to help make sure that foot pain and injuries are not one of your challenges! The most common complaint that has increased during the pandemic is heel pain. There are several factors that can lead to heel pain. One reason many people ...

Your Heart and Your Feet

By: Dr. Michelle Vi Nguyen February is one of my favorite months of the year! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and it is a great time to think about your heart health. But have you had a chance to think about how your heart health affects your feet? Your heart pumps blood to all your vital organs and to the skin at the very tips of fingers and toes. When your heart is not well, you may not be getting enough blood to your toes. Additionally, if your heart is not pumping blood out steadily, the blood in your legs cannot return to your heart efficiently and you can develop severe swelling in your feet. Sometimes your heart may be ticking ...

Protecting the Child Athlete’s Foot and Ankle

Playing sports is great for kids! Sports teach kids teamwork, discipline, communication, and the importance of physical fitness. Not to mention, they are just fun! However, the dark side of playing too many sports at a young age is an increase in musculoskeletal injuries in our young athletes. Adolescent sports have changed over the decades. Playing with the neighborhood kids in the backyard has been replaced by increasingly competitive events – even for the young athlete. What are some of the factors that contribute to foot and ankle injuries in young athletes? Overuse injuries: when children specialize in one sport at a young age, it puts them at risk for repetitive musculoskeletal trauma. Year-round sports: when children aren’t able to ...

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