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Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s Neuroma

Foot pain, , ,

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that impacts the ball of your foot.

Neuromas are thickenings of nerve tissue that are the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates swelling and enlargement of the nerve, which can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated. A neuroma can occur anywhere in the body. The most common type of podiatric neuroma is a Morton’s neuroma. Most commonly, a neuroma is the condition where the nerve between the two toes inward from your pinky toe that becomes irritated and enlarged. Since our nerves allow us to process and feel pain, you can imagine how an enlarged nerve trapped between two solid bones would be a painful experience. Neuromas can be so painful that some people wind up visiting urgent or emergency care centers thinking that they have broken their foot! Sometimes this isn’t far from the truth, either.

What Causes Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma can develop when you overwork your digital nerve. Common causes of the foot condition include:

  • Wearing high heels
  • Wearing tight shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box
  • Doing sports that involve constant repeated flexion of the ball of the foot, such as running

 

Some neuromas respond well to conservative treatment options aimed at reducing the pressure and irritation around the nerve so inflammation and pain can resolve. Often, switching to footwear that fits properly can provide significant relief of symptoms while also reducing the pressure that causes nerve inflammation. Avoiding high heels is also important since the sloped shape of the shoe can significantly increase pressure on the ball of the foot where neuromas are most likely to occur.

Our podiatrists use advanced and innovative European neurolitic dehydrated alcohol injections to shrink neuromas and provide long-term , non-surgical solutions wherever possible.

Custom orthotics and Gel silicon toe cups ( latter currently available ONLY at our mobile services ) can be very effective in helping relieve pressure on nerve tissue so pain and inflammation can resolve. Pain medications including both oral medicines and injected solutions such as European homeopathic as well as Dehydrated Alcohol, Plasma PRP or Steroids can also be effective in providing immediate relief for symptoms, including both pain and inflammation. Other techniques like extracorporeal shockwave therapy can also be effective in treating neuromas and relieving symptoms. When surgery is necessary, the doctors use minimal incision/no scar surgeries to improve recovery time and reduce the risk of scarring.

Call to make an appointment: 773-205-0106

Read more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com/service/neuroma

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails

Foot pain, , , ,

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem. They develop when the edge of your toenail grows into the skin of your toe, and they’re often painful. Ingrown toenails can cause minor discomfort or terrible pain, depending on how much they have grown. For many lucky people, an ingrown nail will resolve by itself, without any treatment.

An ingrown toenail can be as a result of one or more of the following reasons:

Constant stress to the toes: This can occur with athletes who kick things all the time. It is also common with people who do ballet and people who wear shoes that pinch their toes

Trauma to the toe: A stubbed toe can develop an ingrown nail. Dropping a heavy object on a toe can also result in an ingrown nail

Cutting the toenails the wrong way: Toenails should be cut straight across. Trying to round the toenail at the corners can cause it to grow into the folds of the toes

Thickened toenails: Some people have naturally thick nails. So do many older people. Thick toenails are more likely to become ingrown

A hereditary trait: Some people have a genetic trait (like nails that fan sideways) that causes their toenails to become ingrown

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

Minor ingrown toenails can heal on their own as the nail grows out. However, severe or infected ingrown nails require professional medical care.

It’s important to learn the signs of an ingrown nail infection so you know when it’s time to visit a foot doctor. If you have an ingrown toenail, you can experience one, many, or all of these symptoms:

  • Drainage, like blood or pus
  • Significant swelling
  • Warmth
  • Worsening pain
  • Toe pain and sensitivity where your toenail and skin meet
  • Swelling of the skin that surrounds your nail
  • Redness
  • Signs of infection, such as bleeding and pus drainage

If your nail is infected, it won’t heal on its own. The only way to treat the infection and prevent painful complications is to visit a podiatrist from European Foot & Ankle Clinic  for ingrown nail care. There are options when it comes to treating ingrown toenails.

Call Chicago podiatrists to schedule an appointment for ingrown toenails: 773-205-0106 

Minimal Incision Bunionectomy

Minimal Incision Bunionectomy

bunions, , , , , , , , , ,

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

Board certified foot and ankle podiatrists and surgeons at European Foot and Ankle Clinic, are utilizing a bunion surgery that allows immediate weight-bearing, minimal incision, and return to a regular shoe and athletic activity including running and all sports in just weeks.

Depending on the size of the enlargement, misalignment of the toe, and pain experienced, conservative treatments may not be adequate to prevent progressive damage from bunions. In these cases, bunion surgery, known as a bunionectomy, may be advised to remove the bunion and realign the toe.

Our doctors utilize hidden MINIMAL INCISION APPROACH when performing surgery. We realize that Aesthetics is just as important in addition to comfort and structural realignment of bunion deformities.

Benefits of minimal incision bunion surgery:

  • Reduced pain
  • Reduced discomfort
  • Reduced recovery time
  • Reduced infection risk
  • Local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia
  • Minimal blood loss
  • Shorter duration of the procedure
  • Availability to patients who may be deemed too at risk for traditional surgery
  • Immediate ambulation
  • Minimal scarring
  • Performed on an outpatient basis

Call our board certified podiatrists in Chicago to schedule an appointment with foot doctor: 773-205-0106 

Request an appointment with our  podiatrists in any of our 4 podiatry offices in Chicago

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High heels problems

Wearing High Heels

Foot pain, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

High Heels Problems

While podiatrists strongly advise patients to avoid wearing high heels, the reality is many patients will continue to wear them. Women wear high heels for special occasions like weddings, birthdays etc.

The higher the heel the more pressure your foot will apply to the ball of your foot and your toes.  The higher the heel, the worse the problem. A one-inch heel exerts about 22% -25% more pressure on the ball of your foot than a flat shoe. With a three-inch heel, there’s more than 75% more pressure on your forefoot!

High heels pitch your weight unnaturally forward, throwing off the mechanics of your entire body. When you have good posture, your weight is equally balanced throughout the soles of your feet, and you have a neutral spine with your shoulders centered over your hips and knees. Your weight is then distributed evenly across your supporting muscles and ligaments.

Wearing high heels over prolonged periods of time may worsen the condition of our feet. High heels can become ‘killer’ high heels causing problems such as blisters, corns and calluses to serious foot, ingrown toenails, joint pain, bunions, Morton’s neuroma and plantar fasciitis, knee and back pain.

High heels shift the weight of our body forward, onto the ball of our feet and our toes,  making them absorb all the pressure when we walk around or stand.
Keep High heel for special occasions!

If you experience any of these conditions, call us : 773-205-0106 or visit website to schedule an appointment: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com

morton's neuroma

Morton’s Neuroma

Foot pain, , , , , , , ,

Morton’s Neuroma:  Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

One of the most common types of neuroma in the feet is Morton’s neuroma, a painful swelling that occurs in the ball of the foot.  Morton’s neuroma most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes because space here is narrower compared to the other spaces between the toes. A Morton’s neuroma develops due to pressure, irritation, or injury to the nerves that go into your toes.

Feel like you tried everything to treat your Morton’s Neuroma but still feel the pain with walking. Still having burning pain or the feeling of walking on a marble? European Foot and Ankle Clinic is proud to offer pain medications including both oral medicines and injected solutions such as European homeopathic as well as Dehydrated Alcohol, Plasma PRP or Steroids can also be effective in providing immediate relief for symptoms, including both pain and inflammation. Other techniques like extracorporeal shockwave therapy can also be effective in treating neuromas and relieving symptoms. When surgery is necessary, the doctors use minimal incision/no scar surgeries to improve recovery time and reduce the risk of scarring.

Most patients with a Morton’s neuroma respond very well to shoe gear changes, custom orthotics, padding, anti-inflammatories, and/or a steroid injection. If a patient is still experiencing burning pain or pain to the ball of the foot  neuroma alcohol sclerosing injection therapy may be the answer you are looking for.

Call European Foot and Ankle Clinic 773-208-0106 to schedule an appointment with our podiatrist in any of 4 offices in Chicago.

 

Athlete's Foot Treatment

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Healthy Foot, , , , , , , ,

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the upper layer of the skin of the foot, especially when it is warm, moist, and irritated. The same fungus may also grow on other parts of the body. However, the feet are most commonly affected, especially between the toes. Despite the name, athlete’s foot can happen to anyone. It can result in flaky skin, cracking, and itchiness on the soles of the foot and between the toes.

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

The most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes or on the side of the foot. Other symptoms can include:

  • Red and itchy skin
  • Burning or stinging pain
  • Blisters that ooze or get crusty

If the fungus spreads to your nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble.

How Long Does Athlete’s Foot Last?

Most mild cases of athlete’s foot clear up within 2 weeks. But treatment can go for several weeks or longer if the infection is more serious or affects the toenails.

Athlete’s Foot Treatments

Treatment for athlete’s foot depends on its type and severity. Most cases can be treated at home with antifungal medicines. They kill the fungus or slow its growth. You also need to keep your feet clean and dry.
Over-the-counter antifungal lotions, creams, or sprays usually are used first. These include clotrimazole (Lotriderm) and tolnaftate (Tinactin).
Prescription antifungals may be tried if non-prescription medicines don’t help. Some prescription antifungals are put directly on the skin. Others are taken as a pill.
If you have a severe infection that doesn’t improve, your doctor may prescribe antifungal pills. They are used only for severe cases.

Call:  773-205-0106 to schedule an appointment with Chicago podiatrist near me

healthy feet

Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

Healthy Foot, , , , , , ,

Foot Health

The foot is a structure with 26 bones, 32 joints, 103 ligaments, and numerous muscles and tendons, each component relies on the others to work properly. One of the best things we can do to keep our feet healthy is to use them. Walking can help improve the overall function of your feet.

Promoting good circulation through walking is important for your feet. Circulation is also critical in helping to fight infection if you have a bruise, or cut on your foot. Proper blood supply provides oxygen and nutrients to the structures of the foot and removes waste products. Good circulation also provides essential nutrients to maintain the health of your nerve sheaths and is important to sustain normal nerve function.

Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

  • Strengthen the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles.
  • Increase flexibility and stability in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • A healthy weight can reduce the risk of obesity, which can put a lot of strain on the feet and ankles.
  • Increase circulation and reduce swelling.

Tips for your walking:

  • Make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes, with socks.
  • Warm up and loosen up stiff muscles before you set out on a brisk walk.
  • Stretch after each walk to cool down and encourage muscle recovery.
  • Start slow, but challenge yourself to gradually take slightly faster walks.



Contact our Chicago podiatrist office to schedule an appointment for all your podiatry needs: 773-205-0106

Podiatrist Chicago

Morton’s Neuroma

Foot pain, , ,

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is one of the three most common disorders of the foot. If you’ve ever felt like you were walking around with a rock in your shoe, then you might be familiar with the symptoms of one of the most common types of neuromas—a Morton’s neuroma.  a neuroma is the condition where the nerve between the two toes inward from your pinky toe that becomes irritated and enlarged.

Causes of Morton’s Neuroma

Your nerves are responsible for transmitting impulses to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from brain to the muscles and organs. In other words, they help you feel hot, cold, pain, pleasure, and every other sensation you might experience. A neuroma is a nerve defect resulting from compression or irritation. In the feet, the three most common causes of neuromas are:

  1. Pre-existing foot abnormalities such as bunions, hammertoes, or flat arches
  2. Repetitive irritation from years of athletic activity including jogging, running, or court sports
  3. Injury or other trauma to the foot

Shoes with high heels and/or pointed toe boxes force the feet into unnatural shapes that create pressure at the ball of the foot. Women who typically prefer such footwear are at particular risk of developing neuromas.

Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma

Keep attention to any changes in your feet, especially persistent discomfort, tingling, burning, numbness, or a feeling like there is something inside or bunched up under the ball of your foot . All of these can be signs of a looming Morton’s neuroma.

The symptoms of Morton’s neuroma don’t usually appear overnight. First, you might notice an odd sensation only when wearing a particular pair of shoes or engaging in a specific activity. You might think that the shoes or the sport is the culprit, and make a change to prevent further discomfort. Eventually, the symptoms will become more pervasive and harder to avoid. As the neuroma enlarges and the temporary irritation to the nerve becomes permanent damage, your symptoms may become more intense or persist for longer periods of time.

Your podiatrist will determine an individualized treatment plan for your Morton’s neuroma.

Podiatrist near me

Broken Foot

Foot pain, , , , , , ,

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken ankle occurs when the bone endures a break, which can be either partial or complete. It can be very easy for an individual who has suffered a broken ankle to mistake it for an ankle sprain, and vice versa.
From minor cracks in the bone to clean breaks, foot fractures are some of the most common injuries diagnosed and treated by podiatrists.
Types Of Foot Fractures

Foot fractures come in 2 types: stress fractures and acute fractures.

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury.

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

Bruising
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Blue in color
Numbness
Cold
Misshapen
Cuts
Deformities

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

Call us today to schedule an appointment with podiatrist:  773-205-0106