Ingrown Toenails
We have all made the painful mistake of trimming our nails too short at some point in our lives. Sometimes, this can really affect our foot health by causing ingrown toenails.
This happens when the nail grows downward into the skin instead of straight out, usually causing an infection. Ingrown toenails are most common on the sides of the big toe. It can also be caused by shoe pressure, injury, fungal infections, poor foot structure, etc.
Warm water soaks several times a day, properly fitted shoes and socks, and trimming nails in a straight line (rather than rounded) are ways to treat and prevent painful ingrown toenails. If there is an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. They can develop from an inherited structural defect, excess stress on your foot, or can result from an existing medical condition.
For the most part, bunions require no medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following, a podiatrist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Corns
Corns tend to be smaller than calluses and are the hard center is surrounded by irritated skin. While corns can be found on the bottom of the foot where pressure is usually applied, it is more common that you find corns on the tops and sides of your toes and even between your toes. When pressure is applied, corns can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Calluses
Calluses, on the other hand, don’t usually cause pain. They usually develop on the soles of your feet, especially under the heels or balls, on your palms, or on your knees. Calluses vary in size and shape and are often larger than corns.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes begin to bend outside of their normal alignment. Pressure can begin to weigh heavy on the toes as you wear shoes which is where pain and other symptoms develop.
Hammertoes typically begin with small symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In its beginning stages, hammertoes are often impressionable which means they can be controlled using minimal treatment. It is important to know the signs of hammertoes to get them evaluated early. If left untreated, hammertoes can become more firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring surgery.
Diabetic Foot Care
Daily preventative care can help you decrease your risk of developing these other serious conditions like ulcers and infections. Inspecting your feet at the end of the day to look for any abnormalities, maintaining proper hygiene, keeping your feet warm in cold weather, encouraging blood flow in the feet, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle can discourage other conditions from developing.
Warts
Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus and cause tiny cuts and breaks on the bottom of your feet.
While most plantar warts are not a major health concern, it is advised you see a doctor to have the warts examined and removed. Some symptoms include small, rough lesions on the base of the foot, calluses in one spot, and tenderness when walking or standing for long periods of time.
Ankle Instability
Chronic ankle instability is usually caused by repeated ankle sprains and is described as the gradual giving way of the outside of the ankle. Some symptoms of ankle instability include constant inflammation or swelling, tenderness, and instability in the ankle. After a sprained ankle, the ligaments become stretched and torn. Proper rehabilitation is required to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and rehabilitate the tissues within the ankle that affect your balance. In addition, physical therapy, medications, and bracing can help treat chronic ankle instability. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains, or possibly surgery.
Toenail Fungus
Fungal infections in the toe or fingernails can appear as thickened, discolored, or disfigured. While it may seem like the condition is just an aesthetic concern, fungal infections can lead to worsened symptoms and pain. Diabetes, a weakened immune system, and the normal aging process are all causes associated with fungal infections. It is more likely for senior citizens and adults to develop a fungal infection as opposed to children.
Orthotic
Are you suffering from a foot condition that’s preventing you from living a stronger, fuller life? Get in touch with Seneca Family Footcare. We are a local, family-owned and operated business providing quality foot care since 2000. From foot ulcers to foot fungus, you can rely on us for all your foot care needs.
You’ll be pleased to know that our independent facility has been built for easy accessibility. We accept all insurance plans. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
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LAPIPLASTY®
Hallux valgus, commonly known as a bunion, has often been seen as a transverse plane deformity, but as per the researches, it is actually a three-plane deformity with 87% of the patients having an abnormal frontal-plane rotation of the first metatarsal.
In order to restore the anatomic first ray alignment (MTP joint congruity and sesamoid position), the metatarsal rotation must be corrected. There’s a 12x chance of this deformity recurring if it is left untreated.
As the triplanar deformity can be addressed at its origin, the 1st tarsometarsal (TMT) joint provides the optimal surgical site for true anatomic restoration.
The LAPIPLASTY® Procedure?
LAPIPLASTY® Procedure is an innovative approach to anatomic bunion correction. It has been designed to provide unparalleled control and reproducibility to the first TMT fusion by accurately positioning the metatarsal in anatomic alignment (including frontal-plane rotation), performing precision joint cuts while the correction is held in place and an easy-to-apply multiplanar tension-side fixation.
Correct:
Make your correction before you cut
The LAPIPLASTY® Positioner is designed to quickly and reproducibly close the IM angle and derotate the metatarsal. This establishes and holds the right anatomic alignment of the metatarsal and sesamoids.
Cut:
Perform precision cuts with confidence
Using the LAPIPLASTY® Cut Guide, precise and parallel cuts are performed by holding the metatarsal in the right position. This ensures optimal cut trajectory and virtually eliminates the risk of metatarsal shortening.
Fixate:
Apply multiplanar fixation with tension-side support
Low-profile BIPLANAR Plating with the anatomic PLANTAR-PYTHON Plate helps provide easy-to-apply plantar plating and multiplanar stability. It uses standard-sized locking screws to accommodate anatomic variations, in turn, avoiding intra-operative measuring.
Key Surgical Steps of LAPIPLASTY® Procedure
Joint Release
Run the sagittal saw proportionately down the first TMT joint to mobilize and plane the joint surfaces.
Fulcrum Insertion
Insert the LAPIPLASTY® Fulcrum at the base of the first and second metatarsals to serve as a pivot point about which the metatarsal can be positioned in an anatomic alignment.
Anatomic Correction
Apply the LAPIPLASTY® Positioner and simultaneously secure the IM angle, frontal-plane rotation, and sagittal alignment in the corrected position. Lock in the correction with a smooth k-wire through the first and second metatarsal.
Precision Cuts
Secure the LAPIPLASTY® Cut Guide to make precise cuts with the triplanar correction held in place. Fenestrate joint surfaces to expose the bleeding bone for optimal fusion.
Provisional Fixation
Insert a two-millimeter threaded olive across the first TMT joint, from distal-lateral to proximal-medial, for pre-compression and provisional fixation. Insert a smooth k-wire from distal-medial to hold the rotational correction.
Multiplanar Fixation
Apply low-profile BIPLANAR™ Plate dorsally and PLANTAR-PYTHON® Plate from the medial side of the cuneiform to plantar on the first metatarsal, which helps provide multiplanar fixation and tension-side stability.