Tuesday, 26 March 2024 00:00

Ankle pain, a prevalent complaint among individuals of all ages and activity levels, manifests through various symptoms that can impede mobility and diminish quality of life. Among the most common indicators of ankle discomfort are localized tenderness, swelling, and stiffness around the affected joint. Individuals may experience difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle, leading to instability and a sensation of weakness. Pain during movement, particularly when walking, running, or climbing stairs, is another prevalent symptom that often prompts individuals to seek medical attention. In some cases, ankle pain may radiate to adjacent areas such as the foot or lower leg, increasing discomfort and limiting functionality. Additionally, bruising and redness may accompany ankle pain, indicating potential injury or inflammation. Recognizing these symptoms early and addressing them promptly through appropriate interventions, such as rest, compression, and elevation can help alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer you treatment and relief options.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from American Surgeons Group. Our practitioners will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Homewood, South Chicago Heights, and Mokena, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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Tuesday, 19 March 2024 00:00

Foot neuropathy, a common complication of various medical conditions such as diabetes, refers to nerve damage that affects sensation and function in the feet. One of the primary indicators of foot neuropathy is tingling or burning sensations in the feet, often accompanied by numbness or loss of feeling. This diminished sensation increases the risk of injury and can lead to unnoticed wounds or ulcers. Additionally, individuals with foot neuropathy may experience sharp or shooting pains, especially during movement or when pressure is applied to the affected areas. Muscle weakness and difficulty coordinating movements are also common symptoms, making it challenging to walk or perform routine tasks. Recognizing these signs early is essential for timely intervention and management to prevent complications. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you relief and management tips.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from American Surgeons Group. Our practitioners will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

  • Numbness
  • Sensation loss
  • Prickling and tingling sensations
  • Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
  • Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Homewood, South Chicago Heights, and Mokena, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Sunday, 17 March 2024 00:00

Have you noticed discoloration of your toenails? Have they become thickened or brittle? If so, you may be experiencing symptoms of a fungal nail infection. For some, having a fungal nail can be embarrassing. Overcome your embarrassment, and get treated.

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 00:00

When you have an ingrown toenail, it means that the edge of the nail is growing into the skin around it. A podiatrist, who is a foot doctor, has several approaches to treatment, which can range from conservative to surgical. A podiatrist may perform a nail-lifting procedure by using cotton or gauze to separate the nail edge from the skin. If the ingrown toenail keeps coming back or is severe, a podiatrist can also perform a small surgery. This usually involves removing a part of the nail and sometimes a bit of the skin around it to stop the nail from growing into the skin again. The podiatrist can make sure you're comfortable during the procedure by using local anesthetics. If you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you seek treatment with a podiatrist, who can both treat your toe and give you advice on how to prevent the problem from coming back.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of American Surgeons Group. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Homewood, South Chicago Heights, and Mokena, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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