Podiatry

Foot Surgeon Offers Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

A bunion occurs when the first metatarsal in your big toe rotates out of alignment. This causes your big toe to turn inward against your other toes, and the metatarsal at the base of your big toe to jut outward. This deformity can cause stabbing pain, redness, swelling and difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Some studies show that as many as one-third of adults in the US have some degree of bunion deformity. It’s unlikely that many bunions will reverse on their own without surgical inter...

When Should Someone with Diabetes Consult a Podiatrist?

One of the most severe consequences of poor diabetes management is the potential for lower extremity amputation. The risks of this and other foot-related complications can be avoided if you include a highly trained podiatrist in your care team. In fact, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a podiatrist can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation by 85% and the risk of hospitalization by 24%. When left untreated, diabetes can inflict significant damage to your feet, including...

Understanding Bunions and How They're Treated

A bunion is a hard, bony bump that forms on the foot. They occur when the big toe joint bends inward toward the other toes. The bunion bump itself is a deformity in the bone on the outside of the toe. These uncomfortable bumps affect about a third of all Americans, and they tend to get worse if left untreated. So it's important to pay attention to them. You're at higher risk of developing a bunion if you are older, have arthritis or flat feet, have a job that puts a lot of stress on your feet, h...

Tips for Wearing Flip Flops

Flip flops are a summertime staple, but they can also prove problematic for your feet unless you take certain precautions. DO • Choose brands made of soft, but sturdy leather. Plastic and rubber flip-flops are more likely to cause blisters. • Flexibility is important. The flip-flops should allow you to bend at the ball of your foot, but you shouldn’t be able to bend the entire flip-flop in half. • No part of your foot should hang over the edge of the flip-flop. • Co...