Items filtered by date: August 2022

Neuropathy is a general term used to describe dysfunction or disease of the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve dysfunction that occurs in one or more peripheral nerves (nerves that are not part of the brain or spinal cord). Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, genetic disorders, infections, autoimmune diseases, alcoholism, toxins, medications, and tumors, or there may be no known cause. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, sensitivity to touch, numbness, tingling, or decreased feeling in the feet, which may make it difficult or impossible to detect developing wounds. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will examine you and conduct various imaging tests to determine the cause and severity of your condition and the most effective treatment options available to 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 David A. Edmonds, DPM from Advanced Podiatry Associates. 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 offices located in Northampton and Allentown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Corns can cause severe pain and discomfort. They are defined as small patches of hardened skin that develop as a result of excess friction typically from wearing shoes and socks that are too tight. There are certain medical conditions that may lead to corns. Patients who have hammertoe and bunions may find that corns develop on top of the extended joints. There are three categories of corns consisting of hard, soft, and seed corns. If you notice a corn on the bottom of your foot, it most likely is a seed corn. The medical term for this type of corn is heloma milliare and they develop due to dry skin. Other characteristics of a seed corn can include multiple corns in one area, and they may appear circular and smaller than other types of corns. Soft corns are found between the toes and remain moist from the sweat that is found there. A hard corn can develop on the side of the pinky toe or on top of the other toes from excess friction. If you have corns on your feet, please seek the expert advice of a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment options.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact David A. Edmonds, DPM of Advanced Podiatry Associates. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Northampton and Allentown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Just about everyone has experienced some kind of foot pain, which can be caused by a number of issues. One sure sign of a foot problem is nerve pain. This includes numbness, tingling, pins and needles, sensitivity to heat or cold, or the inability to detect heat or cold. Another foot complaint is edema, or swelling of the feet, which is the result of a buildup of fluids. The most common causes are injury (ankle sprain), inflammation, medical conditions (gout, high blood pressure), and pregnancy. Burning foot pain is thought to be caused by a nerve problem between the lower back and the foot due to compression, inflammation, or an underlying condition. Other common causes of foot pain are cramps, blisters, rashes, and ingrown toenails. Runners often experience foot and ankle pain, which may be caused by overtraining, previous injury, flat feet, or improper footwear. Sharp pain in or under the big toe may be caused by overuse, hyperextension injuries, tight footwear, or gout. If you are experiencing foot pain that limits your ability to carry out daily activities, please consult a podiatrist for an examination and a diagnosis, so that treatment options can begin.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with David A. Edmonds, DPM from Advanced Podiatry Associates. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Northampton and Allentown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are several types of running shoes and it can be a daunting task to choose the right type. It generally depends on the style of running that is preferred, whether it is low or high mileage. Additionally, deciding what surface to run on can determine what type of shoe is correct for you. People who enjoy running on pavements may want to choose road shoes to run in. These are adequate in absorbing shock that is helpful in minimizing injury. Trail shoes are suggested for running through soft and muddy trails because of the deep treads they have which can help to support the ankle. Many people choose to have their gait or walking style analyzed and this is important in knowing where the foot strikes the ground, and how far it rolls inward. It is suggested to wear the socks that would be worn with the shoes before purchasing them as this can have an impact on how the shoes will fit. Marathon runners will have a different type of shoe than short distance runners that will typically be more flexible. If you have questions about what type of running shoes to buy and how they can affect your feet, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact David A. Edmonds, DPM from Advanced Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Northampton and Allentown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The big toe plays a significant role in helping to stay balanced as daily activities are completed. There are several reasons why pain in the big toe can occur, including gout, a bunion, bone tumor, or if a toe injury has occurred. It is important to obtain a proper diagnosis that can determine the cause of the pain which will precede beginning the correct treatment. The diagnosis process may consist of having an X-ray taken, or having a CAT scan or MRI performed. When pain is present in the big toe, larger shoes are often needed to make the foot feel more comfortable. For pain that is moderate or severe, the patient may benefit by performing specific stretches that may help to ease the pain. Additionally, it may help to implement a healthy eating regime, drink plenty of water daily, and participate in physical therapy if needed. If you have toe pain, it is advised that you have a consultation with a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer the best treatment plan for you. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact David A. Edmonds, DPM of Advanced Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Northampton and Allentown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.