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A toenail fungus is not only unsightly, but it may be painful as well. There are many potential risk factors that increase the chances of developing a toenail fungus. Being aware of these risks may help to limit your exposure. If you have a family history of toenail fungus, it is important to monitor your toenails frequently. Other risk factors are shoes, particularly boots, that do not provide proper ventilation, which creates a warm and humid environment for fungi to thrive in. Heavy nail polish prevents light from reaching the toes and increases the risk as well. Additionally, one of the most common places for catching a toenail fungus is a locker room due to the humidity. If you believe that you may have developed a fungal nail infection, it is important to consult with a podiatrist for proper treatment.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon of Kentucky . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

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.

Whether you are new to the sport or have been running for years, injuries to the feet and ankles are common in runners. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid some of the most common injuries that affect runners, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures. It is recommended that you do a warm-up prior to exercising. Doing a warm-up will loosen up your joints, increase blood flow to your muscles, and prepare your nervous system for exercise. Adding strength training to your exercise regimen, specifically exercises targeting the hips, glutes, quads, and feet can also help reduce the risk of injuries. You may want to stretch regularly as well, ideally after every workout, to reduce soreness and maintain your flexibility and range of motion. If you do injure your feet or ankles, it is recommended that you seek medical care from a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon of Kentucky . Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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.

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

The Tarsal Tunnel is a narrow tunnel in the ankle, next to the ankle bones, that serves as a pathway for nerves, veins, arteries and tendons. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve in this tunnel gets squeezed or compressed. Like carpal tunnel, both arise from the compression of a nerve in a confined space. Common signs of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome can include a tingling or burning sensation, numbness, or a shooting pain. While symptoms may be felt in the heel, calf, arch or toes, they are primarily felt in the ankle and the bottom of the foot. Symptoms can come on suddenly but are typically provoked by overuse of the foot, such as standing or walking for extended periods of time.  It is important to seek treatment from a podiatrist for this condition in order to determine the correct diagnosis and prevent permanent nerve damage.  

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Dr. Sheldon D. Simon of Kentucky . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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.