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broken ankle treatment

Chronic Pain from Broken Ankles

Foot pain, , , , , , , ,

Chronic Pain from Broken Ankles

Many patients in Chicago seek broken ankle treatments. A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

Dealing with chronic pain can be challenging, but there are several approaches you can consider to help manage your symptoms. However, it’s important to consult with a Chicago podiatrist, who can provide you with personalized advice based on your specific situation. Here are a few general strategies that may be helpful:

  1. Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medications or topical creams specifically for managing chronic pain.
  2. Physical therapy: Working with a physical therapist can be beneficial for strengthening the muscles around your ankles, improving flexibility, and promoting overall mobility. They may also use techniques such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation to alleviate pain.
  3. Assistive devices: Depending on your needs, your foot doctor might recommend using crutches, a cane, or a brace to provide support and reduce stress on your ankles. These devices can help you move around more comfortably and protect your injured ankles.
  4. Heat and cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to your ankles can help alleviate pain. Heat can relax muscles and improve blood flow, while cold therapy can numb the area and reduce inflammation. Experiment with both methods to see which provides more relief.
  5. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS is a non-invasive technique that uses a device to deliver low-voltage electrical currents to specific areas of the body. It can help block pain signals and promote the production of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
  6. Mind-body techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being, which may indirectly alleviate pain.

Remember, these are general suggestions, and it’s important to consult with a podiatrist in Chicago for a comprehensive evaluation and tailored recommendations based on your condition. They can assess your situation, review your medical history, and provide appropriate guidance for managing your chronic pain effectively.

Athlete’s Foot

First Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s Foot, , , , , , ,

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that primarily affects the skin on the feet. The condition is common among athletes, hence the name. The foot condition that is known as athlete’s foot is generally not a serious ailment, despite how uncomfortable it can be. Prompt medical attention is often sought for relief, which may help prevent further foot conditions.  The first symptoms of athlete’s foot can vary from person to person, but they typically include the following:

  1. Itching and burning sensation: One of the initial signs of athlete’s foot is an intense itching or burning sensation on the affected areas, especially between the toes.
  2. Redness and inflammation: The skin may become red, inflamed, and irritated. This is often seen between the toes, but it can also occur on the soles of the feet or other areas.
  3. Peeling and cracking: The skin affected by athlete’s foot may start to peel or flake. It can become dry and develop small cracks, which may cause discomfort or pain.
  4. Blister formation: In some cases, small fluid-filled blisters may appear on the skin. These blisters can be itchy and may break open, leading to further irritation.
  5. Odor: Athlete’s foot can cause a foul odor due to the growth of fungi and bacteria on the skin. This odor is typically noticeable when shoes and socks are removed.
  6. Thickened or discolored nails: In certain cases, athlete’s foot can also lead to fungal nail infections. The nails may become thickened, brittle, discolored, or crumbly.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other foot conditions. If you suspect you have athlete’s foot, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

Call to schedule an appointment for any our Chicago podiatry offices: 773-205-0106

Lear more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com

chicago podiatrist

Tips For Summer Foot Care

Healthy Foot, , , , , ,

Tips For Summer Foot Care

Taking care of your feet during the summer is essential for maintaining their health and preventing common issues like dryness, cracking, and infections. Here are some tips for summer foot care:

  1. Keep your feet clean: Wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria. Make sure to dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
  2. Exfoliate regularly: Use a gentle foot scrub or a pumice stone to remove dead skin cells and keep your feet smooth. Pay attention to rough areas like heels and the balls of your feet.
  3. Moisturize: Apply a good quality foot cream or moisturizer after washing and exfoliating your feet. Look for products that contain ingredients like shea butter or urea to help hydrate and soften the skin.
  4. Wear proper footwear: Opt for open-toe or breathable shoes made of natural materials like leather or canvas. Avoid wearing tight, ill-fitting shoes as they can cause blisters and other foot problems. Make sure your shoes provide adequate support and cushioning.
  5. Protect your feet from the sun: Apply sunscreen to your feet, especially if they will be exposed to the sun for long periods. Don’t forget to cover the tops of your feet, toes, and ankles.
  6. Avoid walking barefoot in public areas: Walking barefoot increases the risk of picking up fungal infections or injuring your feet. Always wear flip-flops or sandals in public pools, locker rooms, and communal showers.
  7. Keep toenails trimmed: Regularly trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Avoid cutting them too short, as it can lead to painful conditions.
  8. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for overall skin health, including your feet. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated.
  9. Take breaks and elevate your feet: If you spend long hours standing or walking, take breaks to rest your feet and elevate them to reduce swelling and improve circulation.
  10. Pay attention to any foot problems: If you notice any foot pain, swelling, or signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, or pus, consult a healthcare professional promptly. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from escalating into more serious conditions.

Call to schedule an appointment for any our Chicago podiatry offices: 773-205-0106

Lear more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com

podiatrist Chicago

When To See A Podiatrist For Your Foot Problems

Healthy Foot, , ,

When To See A Podiatrist For Your Foot Problems

If you’re experiencing foot problems, it’s important to seek help from a podiatrist, also known as a foot and ankle specialist. A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet and ankles.

Here are some signs that you should see a podiatrist:

  1. Persistent pain: If you’re experiencing persistent pain in your feet or ankles, it’s important to get it checked out. Pain that doesn’t go away could be a sign of a serious problem that requires medical attention.
  2. Swelling or redness: Swelling or redness in the feet or ankles could be a sign of an injury or infection.
  3. Numbness or tingling: If you’re experiencing numbness or tingling in your feet or toes, it could be a sign of nerve damage.
  4. Skin and nail problems: Podiatrists can also treat skin and nail problems such as corns, calluses, fungal infections, and ingrown toenails.
  5. Chronic conditions: If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, or neuropathy, you should see a podiatrist regularly to monitor your foot health.

It’s important to take care of your feet, as they are an essential part of your mobility and overall health. If you’re experiencing any foot problems, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Call us today to make an appointment:  773-205-0106

broken ankle treatment

Foot Fractures

Foot pain, , ,

Foot Fractures

A foot fracture is a break in one of the bones of the foot. Fractures can occur in any of the 26 bones that make up the foot, but the most common fractures occur in the toes, metatarsals (the long bones in the middle of the foot), and the heel bone (calcaneus).

The symptoms of a foot fracture may include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or putting weight on the affected foot. In some cases, there may be a visible deformity or a bone protruding through the skin.

Treatment for a foot fracture will depend on the severity and location of the injury. Simple fractures may be treated with immobilization using a cast or a brace, while more complex fractures may require surgery to realign and stabilize the bones.

After a foot fracture, it is important to rest and protect the affected foot to allow for proper healing. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help restore strength and mobility to the foot.

If you suspect you have a foot fracture, it is important to seek medical attention promptly to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.

If you have a foot fracture, call us today:  773-205-0106

foot arthritis

Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Foot pain, , , , , ,

Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in joints. Foot and ankle arthritis specifically affect the joints in the foot and ankle, causing pain and difficulty in movement.

There are several types of arthritis that can affect the foot and ankle, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it is caused by wear and tear on the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints, and post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury or trauma to the foot or ankle.

Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking or performing daily activities. Treatment options may include non-surgical interventions, such as physical therapy, medication, and the use of orthotics or braces, or surgical interventions, such as joint replacement surgery.

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for foot and ankle arthritis.

How does arthritis affect the foot and ankle?

Each foot has 28 bones and more than 30 joints. The most common foot joints that arthritis affects are:

  • The joint where the ankle and shinbone meet.
  • The 3 joints of the foot that involve the heel bone, the inner mid-foot bone, and the outer mid-foot bone.
  • The joint of the big toe and foot bone.

If you have a foot pain, call us today:  773-205-0106

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

MIS bunion

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

bunions, , , , , , , ,

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

A bunion is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around a joint at the base of the big toe or at the base of the little toe. Bunions often form when the joint is stressed over a prolonged period. Bunions can be painful and make daily activities a challenge, as they can cause irritation, swelling and stiffness in the toe joints over time.

Modern minimally invasive bunion surgery allows smaller incisions and facilitates easier recovery for patients. Modern advances in minimally invasive bunion surgery techniques and technology have allowed for tiny incisions, a walking recovery, less postoperative pain, shorter operative time and an overall easier recovery.

With this technique, there is no need to open the joints which spare blood supply to the bones, so patients don’t have inner and external scar tissue as they would with traditional bunion surgery. This means a reduced time in physical therapy and less need for the painful break-up of scar tissue in the big toe joint.

Benefits of minimally invasive bunion surgery include improvement in deformity, pain and overall clinical appearance. Minimally Invasive Bunion Correction Surgery can relieve your pain, correct any related foot deformity, and help you resume your normal activities.

 

Call to schedule an appointment for any our Chicago podiatry offices: 773-205-0106

Lear more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com/service/minimally-invasive-bunion-surgery-treatment

 

 

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 

hammertoes

What is Hammertoe

Hammertoes, , , , , ,

What is a Hammertoe?

Wearing shoes that fit your feet and are comfortable can avoid many problems. Hammertoes are one such problem that can develop from wearing shoes that have pointy toes, are too tight, or that otherwise put pressure on your toes. The second and third toes are the most likely toes to be affected. Hammertoes get their name because the middle joint of the toe gets stuck in an upward bent position, creating a deformity resembling a hammer.  Many times, a person with hammertoe also suffers from corns, blisters, or calluses on the top of the hammertoe because of its excessive rubbing against a shoe.

Hammertoe might affect one toe or several. It can quickly cause additional complications when the toe or toes rub against your shoes, so it’s critical that you see a podiatrist right away. If you’ve tried conservative treatments but still suffer discomfort, it may be time to discuss surgical options for hammertoe.

Your toes contain 28 joints that connect your toe bones to the tendons, muscles, and ligaments that help you move. If the muscles in your toes weaken, these joints and structures in your feet experience an increase in pressure.

Your risk of developing hammertoes increases with age including:

  • Being female
  • Having a long second toe (longer than your big toe)
  • Having certain diseases, like diabetes or arthritis
  • Experiencing trauma or injury to your toe
  • Have a family history of hammertoe

Regularly wearing certain shoes, like high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box, can also increase your risk of getting hammertoes.

For patients with severe hammertoe, hammertoe surgery  may be recommend.

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

If you have any symptoms of hammertoes call us: 773-205-0106

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