Items filtered by date: March 2021

Plantar Warts, and warts in general, are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Plantar warts occur when the virus enters the skin through tiny cracks or weak spots in the skin on the soles of the feet and forms thick, flat warts—sometimes forming clusters. Plantar warts are painful and can make you feel like you are walking on pebbles. Although it is possible for plantar warts to go away on their own, they are hardy and may take years to disappear, if at all. If your plantar warts are causing you pain, discomfort, or embarrassment, contact a podiatrist. There are a variety of therapies and procedures they can use to get rid of plantar warts, including topical treatment, cryotherapy, and laser therapy. For a proper diagnosis please speak with a podiatrist.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon from Kentucky . Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Clubfoot is a common deformity amongst newborn babies and occurs when the foot is twisted and pointed. The most common cause of clubfoot occurs when the Achilles tendon is too short, and this pulls the foot up. Thankfully, clubfoot is not painful for the baby, and it is easily treatable. Treatment will be necessary so the baby can learn to walk when they are a toddler. Treatment is most successful when the baby is only a week or two old, but treatment can still be successful if it is done later. While nonsurgical treatment options such as physical therapy, splinting, or casting is preferred, surgery can also be used to treat clubfoot. If your child is born with clubfoot, make sure to consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for treatment.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon of Kentucky . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Our feet undergo a lot of use over our lifetime, and as a result, a variety of painful issues can develop.  Bunions, which causes the big toe to turn towards the other toes, can lead to a lot of pain while walking.  Plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the tendon that runs along the bottom of the foot, can often lead to heel pain and pain in the arch of the foot.  Another common source of heel pain is heel spurs.  These occur as bony bumps in the heel that are calcium deposits.  Other issues, like gout, can lead to a burning sensation in the foot.  Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body that builds up in the joints.  Some issues can lead to numbness in the foot, and this numbness usually indicates Morton’s neuroma which is the thickening of the nerve around the ball of the foot.  If you are struggling with pain in your feet, consulting with a podiatrist is recommended.  A podiatrist will be able to help find the source and a proper treatment method.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Sheldon D. Simon from Kentucky . 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 office located in Owensboro, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the band that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis usually causes pain in the heel, which is often worse in the morning, after prolonged standing, or after an intense workout. Usually, the pain that comes from plantar fasciitis gradually worsens over time. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that comes from an activity that puts stress on the plantar fascia, like running, but it can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as flat feet or obesity. Because plantar fasciitis can negatively impact your daily activities, patients who are suffering from heel pain should be under the care of a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon  from Kentucky . 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 Owensboro, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.