Warts are miserable skin viruses that can attack the bottom of the feet.  They usually develop under pressure points like the heel, the big toe, or under the ball of the foot. We pick up warts by walking barefoot, or in shoes that we may not keep clean.  The virus usually attacks an area of the foot that is dry; perhaps a skin crack or a callus, cut or a scrape. Once the virus is in the skin, it is very VERY difficult to remove it.  Unlike the rest of the skin on your body, the skin to the foot is several times thicker and the wart can get very deep which makes treatment more difficult.

To treat these beasts, it is important to know that a single visit to me is unlikely.  Two to three treatments may be necessary to completely remove the warts.  Treatment may start by freezing (cryosurgery) which is not painful.  If the wart is too deep or too large, I will recommend a medicine I have specially made called Cantharidin (chemosurgery).  This medicine is applied by me and requires you to return in 2-3 days for a check-up.  This treatment doesn't hurt initially, but really stings after the first day or two.  Should your wart still be resistant to these treatments (10% of all plantar warts are resistant to physical destruction) it may be necessary to physically remove them (cold steel surgery).  This may take place in my office, or an outpatient center.

Osteoarthritis of the big toe joint causes severe stiffness and "bumps" around the joint which makes wearing shoes, running, and even walking difficult and painful.  The joint pain associated with this condition, called "Hallux Limitus" or the more severe condition "Hallux Rigidus" can become disabling, often occuring both on the top and the bottom of the foot.

When we walk, our natural stride allows us to walk over this joint and we use it to "push off" which moves us forward.  When this joint doesn't work we have to change the position of our foot which causes even more muscles and bones to work harder and can potentially damage these as well.  This often leads to tendonitis, shin splints, heel pain, and ankle pain.

Usually, orthotics and injections can help the early stages of this problem, and I urge you to see a doctor to have this diagnosed if this is the case.  The later stages of this disease usually requires surgery which remodels the joint, or if there is no cartilage left replaces the joint with prosthetic joint.  These joint implants do very well and the recovery is fairly quick, usually around 3 weeks in a special walking boot.

The point of this blog though, is to prevent the need to replace the joint.  For that matter, we must remind ourselves not to "walk through" our foot pain.  The prevention of this type or arthritis can be accomlished only at the early stages.  I also urge you to seek out a doctor to make this diagnosis, as there are more than 200 other diagnosis around the big toe joint and the foot that it could be!  Keep in mind that more than 25% of the bones in your body are in your feet!

The great thing about Extra-Corporeal Shock wave therapy is that it can be the last ditch effort after shots, orthotics, or stretching to prevent having heel surgery.  Heel surgery does take you out from work at least 3-21 days.  But Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave treatment gets you back on your feet in one or two days!  Granted, it may not be covered by most insurance, but it also saves on money lost from time out from work!

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body." During this noninvasive procedure, sonic waves are directed at the area of pain using a device similar to that currently used in nonsurgical treatment of kidney stones.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is prescribed for patients who have experienced plantar fasciitis for an extended period of time -- six months or more -- and have not benefited from other conservative treatments. The brief procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis. Although there are no bandages, someone will need to drive the patient home.

People who are not candidates for ESWT include pregnant women and individuals with neurological foot disease, vascular foot disease, pacemakers, or people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting (such as Coumadin).

This therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show a 85 percent success rate for treatment of plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy.

Your toenails will be cleaned and filed prior to the laser treatment. As each toe is treated with the painless laser you might at most feel a mild, warming sensation, most people feel absolutely nothing.

The laser treatment will take under 10 minutes to treat both feet and there is usually no discomfort during or after the treatment. Your physician will discuss post-treatment care to avoid unsightly unwanted re-infections.

You will notice results within 2-4 months, depending on how quickly your toenails grow. New, clear growth begins to appear at the bottom portion of your nail as the diseased portion of the nail grows out.

You may return to your normal daily routine immediately after your toenail treatment, including painting your nails or pedicure treatments.  Go enjoy the outdoors, play sports, exercise or just enjoy yourself.  It’s time you can finally relax and not be self conscious.

Store

Got a busy work day? We work longer hours, and there never seems to be enough time to go to the doctor unless there is an emergency.  The free advise and inexpenseive products offered at my online store may be the first step you need.  Here are some of the things you can try before your first visit:  Now if you have Diabetes, or poor circulation, I recommend coming in to be seen.  But if you have healthy feet....try these before your visit.

1.  Foot Odor and Perspiration:  8995 : Pedinol Ostiderm Roll-On Deodorant & Antiperspirant For The Feet

2.  Nail fungus: 30007 : Elon Dual Defense Anti-Fungal Formula (1/2 fl oz.)

3.  Dry Cracked skin:  30090 : Kerasal Professional Exfoliating Moisturizing Foot Ointment

4.  Cold feet: 618 : Infracare Socks For Cold Feet

5.  The ultimate gift to prevent Athletes Foot:  30167 : SteriShoe® Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer

6.  Heel Pain:  1001 : Ossur Formfit Night Splint w/Tread

7.  Great over the counter arch supports:  10103 : SPENCO Orthotic Arch Supports Full Length Insoles 
                     ... for high heels: 10296 : Vasyli McConnell Slimfit Orthtoics For High Heel Shoes

8.  Great soothing cream for athletes: 588 : BIOFREEZE® Gel with ILEX - Cryotherapy Pain Relief 4 oz Tube.

9.  Great Diabetic Socks: 8007 : NEW!! SmartKnit Seamless Socks with X-STATIC® – The Silver Fiber™ (crew