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.

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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

This was taken from the web site of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

What Is Hallux Rigidus?
Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint, and with time it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe. 'Hallux" refers to the big toe, while "rigidus" indicates that the toe is rigid and cannot move. Hallux rigidus is actually a form of degenerative arthritis.

This disorder can be very troubling and even disabling, since we use the big toe whenever we walk, stoop down, climb up, or even stand. Many patients confuse hallux rigidus with a bunion, which affects the same joint, but they are very different conditions requiring different treatment.

Because hallux rigidus is a progressive condition, the toe's motion decreases as time goes on. In its earlier stage, when motion of the big toe is only somewhat limited, the condition is called "hallux limitus." But as the problem advances, the toe's range of motion gradually decreases until it potentially reaches the end stage of "rigidus," in which the big toe becomes stiff, or what is sometimes called a "frozen joint."

Causes
Common causes of hallux rigidus are faulty function (biomechanics) and structural abnormalities of the foot that can lead to osteoarthritis in the big toe joint. This type of arthritis - the kind that results from "wear and tear" - often develops in people who have defects that change the way their foot and big toe functions. For example, those with fallen arches or excessive pronation (rolling in) of the ankles are susceptible to developing hallux rigidus.

In some people, hallux rigidus runs in the family and is a result of inheriting a foot type that is prone to developing this condition. In other cases, it is associated with overuse - especially among people engaged in activities or jobs that increase the stress on the big toe, such as workers who often have to stoop or squat. Hallux rigidus can also result from an injury, such as stubbing your toe. Or it may be caused by inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Your foot and ankle surgeon can determine the cause of your hallux rigidus and recommend the best treatment.

Symptoms
Early signs and symptoms include:

-Pain and stiffness in the big toe during use (walking, standing, bending, etc.)
-Pain and stiffness aggravated by cold, damp weather
-Difficulty with certain activities (running, squatting)
-Swelling and inflammation around the joint
As the disorder gets more serious, additional symptoms may develop, including:

-Pain, even during rest
-Difficulty wearing shoes because bone spurs (overgrowths) develop
-Dull pain in the hip, knee, or lower back due to changes in the way you walk
-Limping (in severe cases)
Diagnosis
The sooner this condition is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Therefore, the best time to see a foot and ankle surgeon is when you first notice symptoms. If you wait until bone spurs develop, your condition is likely to be more difficult to manage.

In diagnosing hallux rigidus, the surgeon will examine your feet and move the toe to determine its range of motion. X-rays help determine how much arthritis is present as well as to evaluate any bone spurs or other abnormalities that may have formed.

Non-Surgical Treatment
In many cases, early treatment may prevent or postpone the need for surgery in the future. Treatment for mild or moderate cases of hallux rigidus may include

-Shoe modifications. Shoes with a large toe box put less pressure on your toe. Stiff or rocker-bottom soles may also be recommended.
-Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices may improve foot function.
-Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
-Injection therapy. Injections of corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and pain.
-Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may be undertaken to provide temporary relief.
When Is Surgery Needed?
In some cases, surgery is the only way to eliminate or reduce pain. There are several types of surgery for treatment of hallux rigidus. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, Dr. Stoll will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

For heel pain, If all conservative, non-surgical treatments have failed, then surgery may be indicated for you. The EPF (Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy) technique is a minimally invasive, endoscopic technique, which releases a portion of the tight plantar fascia. There have been more than 1 million of these procedures performed since 1990.
A very small incision is made in the foot, and an endoscope, which is a small instrument that allows the surgeon to see "anatomy" inside the body releases the extreme tension on the plantar fascia which is the cause of the pain in the majority of cases. All of this is viewed on the television monitor by the surgeon. The procedure itself usually takes less than 10 minutes using an anesthetic. A sterile dressing is worn for approximately 3 days and then the patient is usually allowed to return to regular shoe wear. Minimal loss of work is incurred.

With the older, traditional heel spur surgery, treatment requires a large surgical incision across the inner side of the heel and outpatient hospitalization. A painful recovery period of 4-6 weeks with a gradual return to soft shoes after 2-4 weeks is normal. Often, patients miss work for many weeks and are unable to bear weight on the heel during this time. It is important to note that most heel pain can be treated effectively without surgery. Treatment may include an anti-inflammatory medication, a tape strapping of the foot to take pressure off the ligament, and in-shoe support to redirect the pressure off the spur area

The feet and hands contain more sweat glands than any other part of the body, with roughly 3,000 glands per square inch. Smelly feet are not only embarrassing, but can be physically uncomfortable as well.

Feet smell for two reasons: 1) shoe wear, and 2) sweating of the feet. The interaction between the perspiration and the bacteria that thrive in shoes and socks generates the odor. Therefore, any attempt to reduce foot odor has to address both sweating and footwear.

Smelly feet or excessive sweating can also be caused by an inherited condition, called hyperhidrosis, which primarily affects men. Stress, some medications, fluid intake, and hormonal changes also can increase the amount of perspiration our bodies produce.

In general, smelly feet can be controlled with a few preventive measures:

-Always wear socks with closed shoes.
-Avoid wearing nylon socks or plastic shoes. Instead, wear shoes made of leather, canvas, mesh, or other materials that let your feet breathe.
-Bathe feet daily in lukewarm water, using a mild soap. Dry thoroughly.
-Change socks and shoes at least once a day.
-Check for fungal infections between toes and on the bottoms of your feet. If any redness or dry, patchy skin is observed, get treatment right away.
-Don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. If you frequently wear athletic shoes, alternate pairs so that the shoes can dry out. Give your shoes at least 24 hours to air out between wearings; if the odor doesn't go away, discard the shoes.
-Dust your feet frequently with a nonmedicated baby powder or foot powder. Applying antibacterial ointment also may help.
-Practice good foot hygiene to keep bacteria levels at a minimum.
-Wear thick, soft socks to help draw moisture away from the feet. Cotton and other absorbent materials are best.
Treating Foot Odor
The best home remedy for foot odor is to soak feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day for a week. The acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry longer. Use two tea bags per pint of water. Boil for 15 minutes, then add two quarts of cool water. Soak your feet in the cool solution. Alternately, you can soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water.

Persistent foot odor can indicate a low-grade infection or a severe case of hereditary sweating. In these cases, a prescription ointment may be required to treat the problem.

Treating Excessive Sweating
A form of electrolysis, called iontophoresis, has been shown to reduce excessive sweating of the feet. However, it is more difficult to administer. In the worst cases of hyperhidrosis, a surgeon can cut the nerve that controls sweating. Recent advances in technology have made this surgery much safer, but may increase sweating in other areas of the body.