Items filtered by date: January 2022

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage within the peripheral nervous system, which communicates with the central nervous system (involving the brain and spinal cord). Diabetes often causes peripheral neuropathy, however, it can also occur due to genetics, infections, injuries, hormonal imbalances, or other medical conditions. Peripheral neuropathy may cause numbness, weakness, muscle twitching or cramps, changes in nails, skin and hair, and a pins-and-needles sensation in the legs and feet. It may also be difficult to maintain balance or feel changes in temperature or pain, and you may experience disturbances in your emotions and sleep patterns. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist. They can help diagnose peripheral neuropathy and manage its symptoms with oral medications, orthotic devices, regular checkups and advice on proper foot care.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Alex Yanovskiy, DPM from Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Keeping aging adults ambulatory is considered by many to be essential. Mobility is believed to provide the elderly with dignity, independence, and self-esteem. Foot care plays an important part in the aging adult’s mental health and quality of life, and it should be equal to care they receive for other parts of their body. This is particularly true for elderly patients with chronic diseases, like diabetes. Older adults should be educated on proper foot care, and have their foot health regularly monitored and assessed by a podiatrist. This is important to help the older adults stay mobile while avoiding complications that can result from a foot condition that is ignored or goes undetected. To help ensure your foot health or that of your loved one, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today.

If you need your feet checked, contact Alex Yanovskiy, DPM of Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Des Plaines , IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar warts are non-cancerous, rough growths that appear on pressure points located on the sole of the foot. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through direct contact with a plantar wart or an object where HPV is present. Plantar warts are usually flat, and either brown, gray or flesh-colored. They can sometimes have black dots in the center, which are tiny capillaries that supply the wart with blood. Warts can grow individually or appear in clusters. They may be painful when you apply pressure to the bottom of the foot or walk on them. There are several types of therapies podiatrists can use to remove these warts permanently. If you notice a growth on the bottom of your foot that has the characteristics described here, please contact a podiatrist to confirm that what you see is a plantar wart and to receive proper care.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Alex Yanovskiy, DPM from Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. 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 office located in Des Plaines , IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.