Items filtered by date: March 2024

Hyperhidrosis of the feet, a condition characterized by excessive sweating, can significantly impact daily life. Primary hyperhidrosis occurs without an underlying medical condition and often affects multiple areas, including the feet. Secondary hyperhidrosis stems from medical issues like hormonal imbalances or neurological disorders and may also affect the feet. Complications of hyperhidrosis include discomfort, odor, and an increased risk of skin infections like athlete's foot. Diagnosis typically involves a medical history review and physical examination. In some cases, tests like the starch-iodine test or the gravimetric test may be used to measure sweat production. Treatment options range from conservative measures to more invasive interventions. These include topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, or using electrical currents to reduce sweat production. Additionally, oral medications like anticholinergics, botulinum toxin injections, and in severe cases, surgical procedures such as sympathectomy may be used to control hyperhidrosis. Tailored treatment plans depend on the severity of symptoms and individual patient preferences. If you have excessive sweating of the feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Cracked heels are a common foot condition characterized by fissures or splits in the skin, typically on the heels. They develop due to a combination of factors including dryness, pressure, and callus formation. Common causes include prolonged standing, wearing open-back shoes, obesity, and dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Besides being unattractive, cracked heels can become painful, especially if deep fissures form, leading to bleeding or infection risk. Calluses often accompany cracked heels, exacerbating discomfort. If left untreated, severe cases may lead to infections or difficulty while walking. Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat cracked heels effectively. They can remove thickened skin and calluses, offer advice on moisturizing and proper footwear, and address underlying conditions contributing to the problem. Additionally, they may recommend orthotic inserts to relieve pressure on the heels and prevent further cracking. If you have cracked heels that are painful or unsightly, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer relief remedies.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors 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 offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Clubfoot is a congenital deformity characterized by the foot twisting downward and inward, which poses challenges to walking. Clubfoot cannot be prevented. However, it can be effectively addressed through the Ponseti method, which is a cost-effective treatment. The exact cause of clubfoot remains unknown, but in some cases, there are misconceptions that it is due to something the parent did wrong. For example, sometimes mothers are wrongly blamed for the condition, and clubfoot becomes associated with factors like undisclosed sins, curses, or physical strain. These misconceptions underscore the importance of advocacy, educating communities that clubfoot is not preventable through parental behavior. Ultimately, while the causes of clubfoot may remain unclear, its treatment options offer hope and relief for affected individuals. If your child is born with clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to get whatever treatment is deemed necessary underway.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

An ingrown toenail happens when the nail's edges grow into the adjacent skin, causing pain and possible infection. Typically affecting the big toe, an ingrown toenail presents with swelling, redness, and potential infection. Home treatment is possible, but severe pain or spreading requires professional attention to avoid complications. Consultation with a podiatrist is vital, especially for those individuals with conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation. Over-the-counter remedies only mask pain, they do not solve the issue. Surgery may be necessary if symptoms persist, with options including partial or total nail avulsion under local anesthesia. After surgery, proper care is essential to prevent infection, and antibiotics may be prescribed if infection occurs. If you have an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to get treatment underway immediately.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Ankle and Foot Centers of Missouri, P.C.. Our doctors 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 the Greater Kansas City area . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.