Flint Office
1303 S. Linden Rd., Suite D
Flint, MI 48532
Runner's toe is a condition commonly experienced by runners and those who walk frequently. It occurs when repetitive trauma causes blood to collect beneath the toenail. It results in a blackened nail, known as a subungual hematoma. Wearing tight shoes and constant pressure on the toes during such exercise can lead to this issue. Symptoms of runner's toe include nail discoloration, pain, and occasionally, the nail separating from the nail bed. While a black toenail may heal on its own, it can sometimes lead to complications, such as infection or thickening of the nail. A podiatrist can assess the severity of the blackened toenail and suggest pain relief medication. This foot doctor will also check for underlying issues, such as fungal infections or circulatory problems that may contribute to the condition. If you are a runner with a toenail that has turned black, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves in the feet, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations. A podiatrist can diagnose diabetic neuropathy through various tests. Included are checking the response of your feet to temperature, touch, and reflexes to assess nerve function. Although nerve damage cannot be reversed, a podiatrist can help reduce the risk of complications by recommending regular foot inspections, managing foot ulcers promptly, and ensuring proper foot hygiene. Choosing the right footwear and inspecting shoes for potential hazards are also key steps in preventing further complications. Regular visits to a podiatrist can help monitor foot health and provide proper treatment should infections or deformities arise. If you have diabetic neuropathy that affects your feet, it is suggested that you make a podiatrist a part of your medical team to manage this condition.
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 Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors 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:
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 office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis causing sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joints, most commonly the big toe. This condition occurs when uric acid builds up in the body, leading to the formation of sharp crystals in the joints. Symptoms include intense pain, often occurring at night, and lingering discomfort even after the initial attack. Risk factors for gout include obesity, high blood pressure, and certain dietary choices, such as consuming excessive purine-rich foods like red meat and shellfish. Alcohol consumption can worsen the condition. Genetics also play a role, as a family history of gout increases susceptibility. Gout attacks can be painful and can cause difficulty in completing daily activities. If you have had one or more attacks, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this painful condition.
Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Ever had that annoying pain in your toe and wondered what was going on? You might be dealing with an ingrown toenail. This happens when the edges of your toenail start growing into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and even an infection. Ingrown toenails often occur on the big toe and can be triggered in several ways. One common cause is cutting your toenails too short. When you trim too close, the skin can fold over the nail, making it grow inward. Rounded or torn nails are also prone to becoming ingrown, since they do not grow back with clear corners. Wearing shoes that are too tight or too short can push the skin over the nail. Injuries or repetitive activities, like soccer kicks, can worsen the issue. Keep an eye out for pain, swelling, and redness surrounding the toenail. If your toe is causing you trouble and you suspect an ingrown toenail, it is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.
Causes
You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.
Treatment
Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition resulting from compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, located on the inside of the ankle. This compression can result in such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and burning pain in the foot and toes. The condition is often caused by repetitive stress, injury, or inflammation that narrows the tarsal tunnel and places pressure on the nerve. Other contributing causes include flat feet, cysts, or varicose veins. Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome typically worsen with activity and may improve with rest. If you have pain in this area of your foot, it may indicate tarsal tunnel syndrome. It is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat this condition.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.
Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
