Treatment Specialties

Neuromas

A neuroma is a painful swelling of a nerve, usually in the ball or heel of the foot. Also known as Morton's Neuroma, this condition develops when the outer coating of a nerve in the foot thickens as a result of compression and irritation of the nerve. The nerve gradually begins to swell and leads to symptoms such as pain, tingling and burning.

Causes
In the foot, there is a nerve running in between the metatarsals, the bones within the toes. If the toes move abnormally, the nerve may become pinched, causing pain and inflammation, as well as permanent nerve damage in some cases. This condition most commonly occurs in the nerve between the third and fourth toes. It may also develop as a result of a traumatic injury or from damage caused by a previous surgery.

Symptoms
Patients with neuromas often experience sporadic pain; burning, tingling or numbness in one or more toes; and a popping sensation when they walk. Sudden cramping in the foot is also a common symptom of a neuroma. Indirect symptoms may include leg aches, low back pain with muscle spasms, chronic fatigue, a feeling of nervous tension, and cramps in the arch of the foot. Pain is often soothed by taking weight off the foot or by massaging the area.

Treatment
Treatment for neuromas typically involves a combination of cortisone steroids to reduce swelling and orthotic inserts to correct problematic metatarsal movement. Other treatments may include medication, physical therapy and regular injections. While these treatments are often effective in relieving pain caused by neuromas, they will not permanently correct the condition.

Surgery is the only permanent treatment option for neuromas, and involves either removing or releasing the affected nerve. Dr. Axt will decide which procedure is best for you after a thorough evaluation of your individual condition.

Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is a common condition that involves the corner of the toenail growing into the skin of the toe, causing pain, swelling and infection. This condition can affect any toe, but is most common in the big toe, and can lead to difficulty walking if symptoms become severe enough.

Causes
An ingrown toenail may develop as a result of several different factors, including improper toenail clipping, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and other conditions such as a toenail fungal infection or trauma. Many people tend to develop ingrown toenails for no reason at all. Although it is not normally a serious condition, it is important for patients to seek proper medical treatment in order to prevent infection and relieve any associated symptoms.

Symptoms
Patients with an ingrown toenail often experience pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the affected area. The nail is usually curved downward and may break the skin, allowing bacteria to enter and increasing the likelihood of an infection. If left untreated, most ingrown toenails will develop an infection and may become severe enough to require surgery to remove the nail.

Treatment
Most ingrown toenails can be treated at home by soaking the foot in warm water, applying antibiotic cream to the area and wrapping the toe in gauze or bandages. It is important to keep the area clean to help prevent infection. A piece of cotton may be placed under the nail to separate it from the skin that it is currently growing into, encouraging growth above the edge of the skin. If the toenail becomes infected, it should be soaked in warm water and Epsom salt. Most patients can resume their normal activities within a day after treating an ingrown toenail.

For more severe or recurrent cases, part of the nail and the underlying tissue may be removed in order to remove the infection. Removal can be done through a chemical, laser or other methods. Patients can help prevent ingrown toenails by trimming their toenails properly and by wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Patients with diabetes may be at a higher risk for infection or other complications of ingrown toenails, and should take special precautions to prevent them from occurring.

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next