Super User

Painful Plantar Warts

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Despite the fact that plantar warts are harmless skin growths, they can produce severe pain. They grow inward and can produce discomfort as pressure is exerted while walking. They are considered to be contagious and may spread to other areas of the foot. Plantar warts can develop from exposure to a specific type of fungus, which is found in warm and moist environments. These can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and similar areas. It is important to refrain from sharing towels, shoes and socks, and this may help to prevent the spread of plantar warts. Many people choose to seek relief from using over the counter remedies, despite this being a temporary fix. If you have a plantar wart, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can offer a more permanent solution, which may include minor surgery for removal.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Vincent, Vess from Fourth River Foot & Ankle. 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 offices located in Pittsburgh, White Oak, and McKeesport,PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flatfoot

Tuesday, 04 July 2023

Featured

Flatfoot is a foot disorder that is not as straightforward as many people believe. Various types of flatfoot exist, each with their own varying deformities and symptoms. The partial or total collapse of the arch, however, is a characteristic common to all types of flatfoot. Other signs of flatfoot include:

“Toe drift,” or the pointing outward of the toes and the front part of the foot
The tilting outward of the heel and the tilting inward of the ankle
The lifting of the heel off the ground earlier when walking due to a tight Achilles tendon
Hammertoes
Bunions

One of the most common types of flatfoot is flexible flatfoot. This variation usually starts in childhood and progresses as one ages into adulthood. Flexible flatfoot presents as a foot that is flat when standing, or weight-bearing. When not standing, the arch returns. Symptoms of flexible flatfoot include:

Pain located in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot
Overpronation, or an ankle that rolls in
Shin splint, or pain along the shin bone
General foot aches or fatigue
Pain located in the lower back, hip, or knee

Your podiatrist will most likely diagnose flatfoot by examining your feet when you stand and sit. X-rays may be taken to define the severity and help determine the treatment option best for your condition. Nonsurgical treatments can include activity modification, weight loss, orthotics, immobilization, medications, physical therapy, shoe modifications, and ankle foot orthoses (AFO) devices. If nonsurgical methods prove ineffective, surgery may be considered. Multiple surgical procedures can correct flatfoot; and depending on your specific condition, one may be selected alone or combined with other techniques to ensure optimal results.

Causes of Flat Feet in Adults

Tuesday, 04 July 2023

Blog

Adults who have flat feet may experience pain. It can happen occasionally or constantly, and often requires shoes that are worn to have adequate arch support. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and an abnormal foot structure may cause the feet to remain that way through adulthood. Flat feet may also develop in people who become overweight, as a result of the added pressure the feet endure. Additionally, existing medical conditions such as diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis may lead to getting flat feet, and it may also happen to people as the aging process occurs. The possibility of spraining or fracturing the ankle may increase as the ankle rolls inward while walking, often causing the gait to change. Many patients find relief when specific stretches are performed that target strengthening the arch, and wearing orthotics may help to diminish any discomfort from having flat feet. If you have this foot condition, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you relief options.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Vincent, Vess from Fourth River Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.

Symptoms

Pain around the heel or arch area
Trouble standing on the tip toe
Swelling around the inside of the ankle
Flat look to one or both feet
Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.