A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a condition that causes a bony bump to develop on the joint of the big toe. This occurs due to pressure on the big toe joint, causing a few bones in the top of the foot to move out of place. It can also occur due to foot shape, a medical problem such as arthritis, or another foot condition. Women and the elderly are most apt to suffer from bunions. A bunion can cause the big toe to be pulled toward the smaller toes. The skin on top of the bunion can become sore and red, causing corns or calluses to develop from the deformity as it rubs against the shoes. For mild relief, it is advised that wider shoes are worn to accommodate the bunion. If you have a bunion that is causing you pain or interfering with your daily activities, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for proper treatment.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many individuals who are familiar with arthritis might already know what gout is in the feet. Essentially, gout is a particular kind of arthritis that is characterized by flare-ups in the big toe joint. If you are living with gout, there are certain food items you might consider purchasing or abstaining from during your weekly trip to the grocery store. This is because certain foods and items can either calm or exacerbate your gout. For example, when you are strolling through the grocery, you might consider stopping by the vegetable aisle to pick up different healthy veggies. While you are in the dairy aisle, you might select items like skim milk or other low-fat dairy products, like yogurt. Additionally, when shopping, you could think about passing by the red meat aisle, as red meat can sometimes exacerbate gout. You could also consider passing up alcoholic beverages. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about treating your gout.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The health of our feet can play a significant role in increasing the efficacy and ease of our physical exercises and workouts. Interestingly, our feet can largely influence other parts of the human body and their performance during yoga sessions. Yoga is a popular form of exercise that disciplines the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of different yoga poses. When an individual engages in yoga with healthy feet, this can positively impact the tone of the pelvic floor. This is because the feet are linked with and mirror the pelvic floor during yoga sessions. Additionally, yoga enthusiasts who have strong and resilient feet can strengthen their perineal muscles. Needless to say, those who practice yoga can reap many benefits from simply strengthening their feet. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about this subject.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament, running from the heel to the toes and supporting the arch of the foot, sustains strain or tears. This condition can cause severe pain in the heel of the foot making walking and standing uncomfortable. One way to manage plantar fasciitis is taping. Plantar fasciitis tape is sometimes called low-Dye tape and using the tape for this affliction involves taping the foot and ankle to help stabilize the plantar fascia and provide arch support. This can help reduce the amount of stretching and movement of the ligament when one is on their feet and gives the plantar fascia a chance to heal. It provides short-term relief for those with plantar fasciitis and is something that can be discussed and done by a qualified podiatrist. Such a medical professional can also provide further treatment and suggestions for plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver  from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is a form of arthritis where excess uric acid in the bloodstream crystallizes on joints in the body. Although other joints in the body can be affected by gout, it typically occurs in the joint of the big toe. Gout flares are intense attacks of pain, inflammation and sometimes redness and warmth in the skin around the affected joint. These flare-ups often occur at night and typically last from 12 hours to a few days. People who are male, overweight, over 40, or who suffer from angina, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or psoriasis are more at risk of developing gout. Additionally, consuming sugary drinks and foods rich in purines, as well as certain medications are believed to contribute to the formation of this painful condition. If you are experiencing painful flare ups in your big toe joint and fall into one of these categories, make an appointment with a podiatrist. By taking a sample of fluid from the affected toe and performing an examination, they can determine if the cause of your discomfort is gout, and help treat it.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor 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

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

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 Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

One of the key joints in the body is the talocrural region, also known as the ankle joint. This joint, which connects the leg to the foot, is crucial to walking, standing, and running. The main bone in the ankle joint is the talus. Because it is not attached to any muscles, the talus is reliant on the bones surrounding it. Other bones that may be thought of as ankle bones actually belong to the lower leg or foot. These consist of the tibia and fibula of the leg, as well as the calcaneus of the heel and the navicular, which lies on top of the foot. These bones work together with the talus to allow the foot to point and flex. Another main function of the talus is to transmit force from the tibia to the calcaneus, or heel bone. Holding all these bones together is a network of ligaments. Keeping the ankle joint healthy includes wearing footwear that provides ample support and cushioning to avoid chronic ankle pain that can interfere with all your daily activities. If you have any pain or discomfort in the ankle, please visit a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor 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
• Bursitis
• 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 office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Dry, cracked heels can have a variety of different causes. Standing for prolonged periods of time, especially on a hard floor, wearing thin-soled shoes, or obesity, can increase pressure on the heel, causing cracks to appear. Conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, palmoplantar keratoderma, and juvenile plantar dermatosis affect the skin of the feet and could increase the risk of developing cracked heels. Certain systemic conditions, like diabetes or neuropathy, can make one more likely to develop cracks and may make it more difficult to feel those cracks due to a loss in sensation in the feet. Another common cause of dry, cracked heels is footwear without a proper back, such as open sandals and flip-flops, because they expose your heels to the elements and don’t provide adequate support. If you have dry, cracked heels that are causing you pain or discomfort, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The condition that is known as neuropathy is generally referred to as peripheral neuropathy. It often affects the nerves in the feet, and can produce symptoms that can include numbing and tingling sensations. Additionally, many patients have a loss of feeling in the feet, and muscle weakness may develop. Research has indicated there are three groups of peripheral nerves. Nerves that promote feeling are known as sensory nerves, and movement nerves are referred to as motor nerves. Bodily functions that consist of sweating and digesting food fall into the autonomic group of nerves. Once a proper diagnosis is performed, which may involve  having a blood test performed or spinal fluid extracted, treatment can begin. If you are experiencing symptoms of neuropathy, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

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 Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor 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 office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.