Chronic plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, especially in active individuals. It occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress or strain. Common causes include overuse, wearing improper footwear, high-impact activities, or an abnormal gait. Symptoms typically include sharp or stabbing pain in the heel, particularly with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest. The pain may subside during the day but can return after standing or walking for long periods. A podiatrist can diagnose chronic plantar fasciitis through physical exams and imaging tests. Treatment options include custom orthotics to support the arch, targeted exercises to stretch and strengthen the foot, and anti-inflammatory medication. In more severe cases, injections or even surgery may be necessary. If you are dealing with painful plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment to see a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Larry Slomowitz, DPM from California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

Treatment for gangrene that affects the feet, toes, or ankles focuses on removing dead tissue, fighting infection, and restoring blood flow. A podiatrist may begin by performing debridement. This is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged tissue and helps promote healing. When an infection is involved, antibiotics may be administered through a vein to ensure they reach the affected tissue. If gangrene results from reduced blood supply, surgery may be performed to restore circulation. One method of treating gangrene is bypass surgery, designed to redirect blood flow around a blockage. Another is angioplasty, which uses a small balloon to open a narrowed artery and may include placing a stent. In severe cases, where the affected tissue cannot be saved, loss of a toe or part of the foot may be necessary to prevent the gangrene from spreading. In gangrene linked to diabetic ulcers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be used to increase oxygen levels in the blood and support healing. If you have developed gangrene from a diabetic foot ulcer, it is suggested that you schedule an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for the appropriate wound care.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Larry Slomowitz, DPM from California. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Pain in the big toe can stem from medical conditions that affect the joints, bones, tendons, or soft tissue. One common cause of big toe pain is arthritis, which can lead to stiffness and swelling in the joint that connects the big toe to the foot. This joint, called the first metatarsophalangeal, or MTP joint, plays a major role in walking and bearing weight. Gout, bunions, and sesamoiditis can also trigger inflammation and discomfort in the big toe. Trauma from sports injuries, including turf toe or a toe fracture, can result in lingering toe pain. Bursitis, the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs that cushion the MTP joint, may also contribute to tenderness and restricted motion. A podiatrist can diagnose the cause of your big toe pain and determine the proper treatment plan. If you are experiencing this type of pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Larry Slomowitz, DPM of California. 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 Westlake Village, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to irritation and discomfort. This condition most often affects the big toe and can develop gradually. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain when pressure is applied, and in some cases, drainage or signs of infection. Common causes include improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, and repeated trauma to the toe. Individuals with curved or thickened nails, poor foot hygiene, or a family history of the condition may be more at risk. Identifying an ingrown toenail early allows for prompt treatment and helps avoid complications. If you have an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you promptly visit a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions before it becomes infected.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Larry Slomowitz, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Plantar heel pain can make even simple movements feel difficult. It often starts as a sharp ache in the bottom of the heel, especially when taking the first steps in the morning or after resting. This kind of pain can limit walking, standing, and daily routines, affecting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy time with others. Over time, the discomfort may lead to less activity, poor sleep, and changes in mood. Many people try to ignore the pain, but without treatment, it can linger or get worse. Wearing supportive shoes, stretching, resting and other treatments can help ease the symptoms. A podiatrist can guide you toward the most effective options to improve your comfort and keep you moving. If you have plantar heel pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for relief options.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Larry Slomowitz, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Westlake Village, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.