Hammertoe Specialists At APG Podiatry - Orlando Foot Doctor

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401

Hammertoes are one of the most common toe conditions, usually stemming from muscle imbalance in which the joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toe are bent into a contracted, claw-like position. In the early stages, hammertoes are flexible and can be corrected with simple conservative measures, but if left untreated, they can become fixed and require surgery.

The most common cause of hammertoes is causes by balance issues. Tight-fitting and high-heeled shoes often aggravate the condition, crowding your toes forward. A hammertoe can also be the result of injury in which you break or jam the toe, or from conditions like arthritis or stroke that affect nerves and muscles. In some cases, hammertoes may even be inherited.

Because of their clenched, claw-like appearance, hammertoes will generally be visibly present. Other signs and symptoms include:

-Difficult or painful motion of a toe joint
-Redness or swelling at a toe joint
-Development of calluses and corns
-Open sores in severe cases

At APG Podiatry we recommend the following for preventing and treating your hammertoe:

-Wear comfortable, proper-fitting shoes that provide support and allow enough room for your toes
-Avoid high-heeled or narrow-toed shoes
-Stretch your toe muscles to relieve pressure and pain
-Apply splints, cushions or pads to relieve pressure

Generally, a modification of footwear will reduce the symptoms associated with hammertoe. Other non-surgical treatment includes padding to shield corns and calluses and orthotic devices that are placed in the shoe to help control muscle imbalance. Dr. Nadjafi can help you determine the best treatment for your symptoms. Severe cases that don't respond to conservative measures may require surgery to restore your toe's flexibility and eliminate the pressure.

Hammertoes are progressive - they don't go away by themselves and the condition usually gets worse over time.

Once we have evaluated your hammertoe, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

Athlete's Foot Treatment APG Podiatry

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401

What is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a common skin problem caused by a fungus. Usually beginning on the skin between the toes, the fungus infection becomes scaly and itchy. Over time it may cause a break in the skin and become sore. Another term for athlete’s foot is tinea pedis.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- Itching
- Cracking and peeling skin between toes
- Soreness
- Blisters (occasionally)

How does it occur?
The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is everywhere in the environment. It is commonly from the floors of showers, locker rooms, and exercise facilities. The fungus likely grows on sweaty, constantly wet, or improperly dried feet (especially in shoes with poor ventilation).

How is it diagnosed?
We can usually diagnose athlete’s foot after examining your skin.

How is it treated?
The infection may clear up without treatment, but most fungal infections are treated with medicine put on the skin. If the infection is severe or widespread, we may prescribe a medication to take by mouth.

How can I help prevent athlete’s foot?
Follow these guidelines:

- Wear cotton socks when you exercise
- Change your socks every day
- Wear sandals or shoes with ventilation holes (a natural material like canvas or leather)
- Air out your shoes after wearing them
- Wear sandals when showering in a locker room
- Dry your feet well, especially between toes
- Apply an antifungal powder on affected area
- Disinfect shower and locker room floors

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

APG Podiatry Can Help With Ingrown Toenails

Let us help with Ingrown Toenails! This is such a common question, and we get asked all the time the best way to handle Ingrown Toenails.

Ingrown Toenails can be extremely painful and are often caused by cutting our toenails incorrectly. There are a few people who inherited really bad toenails, but the rest are self-inflicted. Then we shove our foot into shoes that are too narrow or tight and we make them even worse!

Help is on the way! There are some simple steps you can follow to avoid ingrown toenails. First, cut your toenails straight across the top, not rounded. Second, avoid tight shoes and socks. Yes, the socks can do it! Third, and most important, stop picking at your toenails! Fourth, (and yes it sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised) please clean your toenail clippers with alcohol before you cut your nails. Self-inflicted infections are common.

If you are like many of the poor souls who are seeking help, it is time to come to our office so we can take a look. Often, a round of antibiotics and a minor procedure in the office are all that is needed to alleviate your pain. Sometimes, a more advanced procedure, called a matrixectomy, is needed to remove a deformed toenail permanently.

Do not perform bathroom surgery on your ingrown toenails! This can lead to a significant infection and even toe loss in the immunocompromised population with diabetes or vascular disease.

Contact Us for immediate help and we can help you get rid your toe pain!

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

Causes of Weak Ankles

Do you sprain your ankles constantly? Are you nervous every time you participate in any athletic activity because, your ankles are so weak that you sprain them each and every time?  Your not alone! Advanced Podiatry Group is here to help!

There are multiples causes of weak ankles. Ligamentous laxity is one of them: ligaments are the structures that are stabilizing your ankle joint. Some people were born with looser ligaments, creating instability in the ankle resulting in more frequent sprains. It can also be due to an old ankle sprain, injury or fracture where the ligaments were overstretched and healed in that position. Other causes are muscle weakness and foot position: people with a supinated foot type, meaning high arch feet with more pressure on the outside are more prone to twist their ankles. There are multiple types of ankle braces that can control and protect the ankle that can be worn during exercise or activities. Custom foot orthotics has shown great results: by controlling the foot position, they stabilize the foot and ankle and block the excessive inversion movement responsible for ankle sprains. If the instability is severe, there are ankle stabilizing surgical procedures that are available and very successful. Life is too short to limit the activities you like!

Let Advanced Podiatry Group evaluate your ankle instability!

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

Plantar Fasciitis & APG Podiatry

Is Plantar Fasciitis Common?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue that supports the arch of your foot. It often causes intense arch and heel pain. Those who have had it know that it can be a stubborn problem that likes to linger on for months or even years. Plantar fasciitiscan affect people of all ages, foot type, and activity level.

How Do You Treat It?

Most cases of plantar fasciitis respond to aggressive conservative treatment, with surgeryrarely needed. Typical treatment includes rest from activity, immobilization in a boot, ice, anti-inflammatories, stretching, orthotics and physical therapy. Immobilization in a cast may also be an option for quicker recovery.

How Do You Get a Tear?

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can weaken the plantar fascia to such an extent that a sudden push off force, even if a mild one, can cause a rupture or tear of the plantar fascia. Steroid injections for plantar fasciitis may also weaken the plantar fascia, if done repeatedly over too short a period of time, causing it to tear as well.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from plantar fasciits or have even had it in the past, don’t get off on the wrong foot, make an appointment with Advanced Podiatry Group today!

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando