Items filtered by date: January 2023

Corns on the feet, although not always a serious condition, can still cause patients discomfort and annoyance because of their unsightly look. Corns are essentially defined as tough or hardened areas of the skin on the feet that develop in response to friction and pressure. Many individuals with corns on the feet are interested to know how salicylic acid can be used to treat this condition. Interestingly, this acid is known as a keratolytic, and so a medical professional may use it to dissolve the substances that compose the corn on the feet. Specifically, the salicylic acid can be used to dissolve proteins that make up the corn. It is important to note that salicylic acid is made in a variety of concentrations that will all have different effects on the removal of the corn. Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to learn more about this and to treat your corns. 

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. 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 office located in Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most well-known conditions that can negatively impact the feet, and it is defined as the inflammation of the plantar fascia along the arch of the foot. Most commonly, individuals discuss the symptoms in the feet that are associated with plantar fasciitis. Importantly, this includes heel pain. However, individuals with severe cases of plantar fasciitis may also experience symptoms throughout their bodies. Notably, an individual with bad plantar fasciitis may eventually begin to notice pain in the lower back area. In a related way, an individual’s hips may also begin to hurt if plantar fasciitis is left untreated for a long period. Lastly, the knees may also be negatively impacted. The lower back, hips, and knees may be adversely affected by plantar fasciitis because of the change in gait that plantar fasciitis produces. If you are someone that struggles with plantar fasciitis, contact a podiatrist today for guidance. Schedule an appointment today.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM  from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. 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 Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Learning more about the biomechanics of how the feet work can help an individual better protect their feet from developing damaging conditions. One important thing to know about how the feet function is that there are critical areas of fat padding on the feet. Typically, individuals try to minimize the extent to which they have fat on their bodies, but fat can serve an important role on the soles of the feet. For example, fat padding on the bottom of the feet protect the plantar area from the repeated pressure that is felt on the feet from weight-bearing activity. If the feet are not properly cared for, then an individual might lose critical fat padding on the feet or experience fat pad atrophy of some kind. As a result, a patient may develop microtears as a result of the loss of fat. If you are someone that is especially concerned with protecting their feet, contact a podiatrist today for more help.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

Toe pain can make every single step excruciating. Toe pain can have many different sources, including injuries, arthritis, and hammertoe. Some of these things can be treated with home care, and some need additional medical intervention. Gout is a form of arthritis that commonly affects the big toe. It is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream, and crystals form, which settle in certain joints. It causes severe pain at the base of the big toe, redness, and swelling. Hammertoe is a deformity where toes bend abnormally in the middle joint. The downward flex of the joint looks like a hammer, thus its name. It is most common in the second, third, and fourth toes. A hammertoe can make it difficult to walk, and stretching and moving the toes can be impossible. If you have toe pain, see a podiatrist for medical treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. 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 office located in Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Any hiker knows that hiking with blisters on the feet can be a significant annoyance and source of potential pain. Blisters can develop on the feet for many different reasons (typically due to some kind of pressure that is applied to an area of the feet). Blisters can be especially pernicious to hikers. Blisters are the most common foot affliction among hikers. Since hiking requires a significant amount of physical movement including walking and climbing, blisters can diminish the hiking experience. There are several things that hikers might consider doing to prevent blisters from forming in the first place. For example, hikers might consider getting hiking boots that fit correctly and do not rub up against the feet in uncomfortable ways. Hikers can also be on the lookout for the other main causes of blister formation: heat and moisture. Hikers can also be mindful about wearing thin socks to prevent the blisters from forming in the first place. Contact a podiatrist today if you are a hiker concerned about preventing foot blisters.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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