Over the course of your life, you may develop foot ailments that could potentially threaten the health of your feet. It is critical for you to be able to discern when these ailments can be treated at home and when you ought to see a podiatrist. Gout is one such foot ailment, and it is imperative that you know when the condition merits consultation with a podiatrist. Gout is a kind of arthritis that can affect the joints of the toes and ankles. This unpleasant condition typically forms when uric acid accumulates in the blood, forming tiny crystals around joints in your feet. As a result, the joints become red, inflamed, and often painful. Although almost anyone can develop gout, men over 30 years of age and post-menopausal women are most at risk. There are several signs that you should be aware of that could indicate that it is time to see a podiatrist about your gout. First, you might see a podiatrist if the pain and swelling of your gout worsens considerably or if you also happen to have a fever. Second, consider reaching out to a podiatrist if you experience a flareup of gout after taking prescribed medication, especially if the medication does not alleviate the condition after a few days. When in doubt, it might be best to see a podiatrist and receive a diagnosis because gout can produce symptoms similar to other foot ailments. If you think you have gout, you can contact a podiatrist today for a diagnosis.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Scores of factory shoe inserts are readily available, but sometimes it becomes necessary to have insoles made specific to your feet. A podiatrist can make a mold for an insole that mirrors the exact contours of your foot. Slipping this into your shoe can increase your stability and balance while also reducing the pressure on the bottom of the foot when you take a  step. These pressure points can have a negative effect on plantar fasciitis, poor circulation, and other causes of foot pain. Your podiatrist can also examine your gait–how your foot reacts when you stand or walk–to determine what additional adjustments may be needed to correct things like overpronation, flat feet, high arches, bunions, or metatarsal pressure. Custom orthotics may improve your foot health and keep you on your feet with minimal pain. If you frequently experience foot pain or have ongoing foot problems, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist for more information.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

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

Falling is a common way to break a toe. Additionally, it can happen if a heavy object falls on it, or from unexpectedly stepping off of a curb. The symptoms are immediate when a broken toe has occurred. These can include bruising, swelling, and the pain can be devastating. If the fracture is severe, the toe may look deformed, and may even protrude from the skin. Many people find it difficult to walk on a broken toe. It is beneficial to seek medical attention when you have a broken toe, as patients who do not receive the correct treatment may develop an infection, or the injury may result in a permanent deformity. If the break is mild, buddy taping may be an effective treatment method. This consists of taping the affected toe to the toe next to it. This is often a successful way to provide stability as the healing process takes place. For severe breaks, surgery may need to be performed to realign the toe. If you believe you have broken your toe, it is beneficial to consult with a podiatrist who can recommend the correct form of treatment for you.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

Ankle pain may be caused by any number of factors including arthritis in the joints, tears in ankle ligaments, swollen/scar tissue, and bone or cartilage injuries. An ankle arthroscopy can help podiatrists diagnose and repair many issues that cause ankle pain. An arthroscope is a tiny camera that a podiatrist can insert through a small incision in the skin to capture real-time video inside your ankle. The video is displayed on a large video monitor that the podiatrist looks at to help make an accurate diagnosis of ankle pain. The podiatrist can also use this video to guide them as they use tiny instruments, which are inserted through other small incisions, to treat/repair the condition causing the ankle pain. This minimally invasive procedure is known as arthroscopic surgery. It requires much smaller incisions than open surgery with less pain and bleeding, a lowered risk of infection, and shorter recovery times. Consult with your podiatrist to see if ankle arthroscopy is appropriate for you. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

The toes are instrumental in everyday movements like walking and running—not to mention athletic activities. Toes are therefore more susceptible to injury which can result in pain. Toe pain can also be caused by a variety of factors including dysfunction in tissues, bones, nerves, skin, and other parts of the toes. It may also be the result of conditions such as hammertoe, arthritis (including gout), ingrown toenails, bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, tumors, infection, and inflammation (dactylitis). Pain in the toes can be accompanied by feelings of warmth, numbness, as well as other symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your toes, contact a podiatrist who will be able to discover the underlying cause of your toe pain and treat it accordingly.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors 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 offices located in Petaluma and Sonoma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.