Items filtered by date: June 2022

If you are a runner and are experiencing some pain in one of your toes, look for the following signs that may indicate you have a broken toe. First, is the pain you are feeling intense and throbbing? Do you notice any deformity, lumps or bumps on the toe? Is it difficult to walk or run? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a broken toe. Swelling and severe bruising may also be present with a broken toe, and the toenail may also be discolored. A podiatrist can examine your foot and run imaging tests to make an accurate diagnosis. There are many ways a podiatrist can help your broken toe to heal, depending on which toe it is, where it is broken, and how badly it is broken. You will, no doubt, be anxious to get back to training, but running on a broken toe is not suggested. Listen to your body and your podiatrist, who will advise you on when it is safe to begin running again. Ask if there are other exercises you can do in the meantime to stay active. 

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, 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.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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.

Most children are born with flat feet and the arch will eventually develop. Several foot conditions may affect children in addition to having flat feet. Some children are born with bow legs, which is often noticeable as the leg below the knee bends outward. Research has indicated it often corrects itself as the growing process occurs. Pigeon toes, which are also known as in-toeing, are prevalent among babies and will begin to diminish as standing and walking begin. The opposite condition called out-toeing can be a common ailment and will correct itself as the child grows older. Many children walk on their toes as they learn how to walk and the body will eventually outgrow this too. Children between the ages of three and six may experience knock knees but treatment is rarely needed. If you notice that your child is experiencing any of these conditions, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can provide the treatment that is needed.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Alex Yanovskiy, DPM of Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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.

Bone spurs or osteophytes are smooth growths of bone that can develop throughout the body, over a long period of time. Common areas for such spurs to occur include heels, ankles, and big toes. They are a natural part of aging but also can be a progression of certain medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis. In fact, joint damage from osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of bone spurs. Bone spurs are not painful in and of themselves but can become painful when they push into surrounding tissue and nerves. If there are no symptoms, bone spurs do not have to be treated, however, if they cause pain, treatment should be undertaken. Some common suggestions for alleviating the pain of foot bone spurs include maintaining a healthy body weight to take pressure off joints and doing exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles around joints, resting, and icing the affected area. Surgery may be needed to remove bone spurs if inflammation and pain become debilitating. If you have a troublesome bone spur on your foot, it is best to see a podiatrist to discuss the best treatment to alleviate your pain.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, 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.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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.

If you walk around feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe under the ball of the foot, you might have Morton’s neuroma. This is a thickening of the tissues next to nerves leading to the toe. Women are much more likely to suffer from this condition than men because they are more apt to wear high heels, which put pressure on the feet. Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow may also lead to this uncomfortable foot ailment. Beyond feeling like there is a pebble under your foot, one can experience pain, burning, cramping, and/or numbness of the foot. Rest, foot stretching exercises to promote blood circulation, massaging the affected part of the foot, using shoe pads or orthotics to help absorb pressure, and wearing well fitting, flatter, supportive shoes should all help with irritation of a Morton’s neuroma. However, if you are having troubling symptoms for a prolonged time, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Alex Yanovskiy, DPM of Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different 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 care needs.