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Treatments


 

Many people live with foot pain, but you don’t have to!

It’s not unusual for people to ignore foot and ankle pain. It’s so common, in fact, that many people believe that they just have to live with it. You don’t. And you can rest assured that when you do make that crucial decision to treat your foot or ankle pain, you will be thrilled with how comfortable you feel again. For some, foot treatment means being able to participate in certain activities again; for others, especially for some seniors, it means regaining a sense of independence. One thing’s for sure: With foot treatment, you can put your best foot forward — without aches, pains or injuries!

We provide a full-range of podiatric treatments to help you regain your comfort and independence:

 

Sports-Related Treatments

 

Vigorous physical activity can sometimes cause foot and ankle pain. If you play sports and have any of the following conditions, we can help!

  • Ankle sprain
  • Joint pain
  • Tendinitis
  • Stress fractures
  • Displaced fractures
  • Orthotics

 

Diabetes-Related Treatments

 

People with diabetes are prone to poor circulation and loss of protective sensation (LOPS), which makes them vulnerable to developing diabetic wounds and ulcerations. That is why yearly screenings, proper foot gear and foot care education are so important. Left undiagnosed and untreated, these conditions can lead to more severe complications, including the loss of a limb.

We offer the following services for diabetes-related foot conditions:

  • Yearly screenings (American Diabetes Association recommended)
  • Neuropathy and circulation testing
  • Foot care education


Diabetic Foot Complications

Regular exams by a podiatrist can help prevent foot complications caused by diabetes or at least help manage existing complications so they don’t progress into more serious issues.

Neuropathy, Poor Circulation, and Diabetes-Related Foot Condition

Neuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder that causes the loss of feeling in your feet. Without the ability to feel foot pain or discomfort, diabetics are at high risk of developing infections and injuries. Poor blood circulation reduces the ability to heal, making it difficult for a diabetic to heal a tiny cut or infection. Diabetes can cause foot complications that lead to infections and ulcers; hammertoes and bunions; and Charcot foot. It’s important for diabetics to visit a foot and ankle surgeon regularly in order to prevent foot conditions from progressing into the need for amputation.

 

Common Foot Treatments

 

Bunions

Bunions are visible “bumps” on the side of the big toe that reflect an actual change in the bony structure of the foot. Bunions begin when the big toe starts to lean in towards the second toe. Over time, the leaning of the big toe changes the angle of the bones, causing the characteristic “bump.” People with certain foot types are prone to developing bunions. Symptoms that may occur at the bunion site:

  • Pain or soreness
  • Inflammation
  • Burning sensation

 

Hammertoes

A hammertoe can develop when one or both joints of the little toes bend or contract. Most often caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance, hammertoes are progressive and should be treated at an early stage. If left untreated, hammertoes may not respond to non-surgical treatment. Symptoms of hammertoes:

  • Toe pain while wearing shoes
  • Corns on the toe
  • Calluses on the bottom of the foot or the ball of the foot

 

Heel pain

Heel pain is usually caused by plantar fasciitis — the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. Stress fractures, arthritis and tendonitis can also cause heel pain. People with overly flat feet or high-arched feet are prone to developing heel pain.  Symptoms of plantar fasciitis:

  • Pain at the bottom of the heel and into the arch
  • Heel pain upon rising
  • Heel pain that increases over time

 

Ingrown toenails

A toenail that is curved downward and grows into the sides of the nail is an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can cause pain, redness and swelling. In a progressed stage, an ingrown toenail can break the skin and cause infection. The most common causes of ingrown toenails include cutting the nail incorrectly and wearing shoes that are too tight.

 

Corns

A corn is a small circular thickened lesion in the skin of the foot. It usually forms due to repeated pressure on the skin, such as the rubbing of a shoe. The name “corn” comes from its resemblance to a kernel of corn. A corn is different from a callus in that it has a central core of hard material. People with foot deformities, such as hammertoes, often suffer from corns because the tops of the bent toes rub against the tops of shoes. There are a number of treatment options for corns. However, if the underlying cause of the corn is not treated or removed, the corn may return. It is important to avoid trying to remove a corn at home or using medicated corn pads, as serious infection may occur.

 

Warts (Plantar Warts)

Warts are harmless but a painful foot problem. They are caused by a virus that invades the skin through small or invisible cuts or abrasions. Warts that appear on the sole of the foot are called plantar warts and they are contracted by walking barefoot on dirty surfaces or ground where the virus is present. Plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and a defined boundary and warts are generally raised and fleshy-like when they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes. If left untreated, they can grow and spread into several warts. Also warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur. We can help you manage the growth and the pain of the wart and ideally watch it disappear over time.  Like corns, it’s inadvisable to try to remove a wart at home using over the counter products or bathroom surgery.

 

Foot and Fungal Infections

Athlete’s foot is a skin disease caused by a foot fungus. Although athlete’s foot commonly occurs between the toes, it can spread by scratching the infected area and then touching other parts of the body such as the groin and underarm areas. Athlete’s foot is commonly contracted by walking barefoot in areas where fungus is present such as public dressing rooms and swimming pool locker rooms. It is also important to note that the same fungi that cause athlete’s foot cause toe nail infections. Symptoms of athlete’s foot:

  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Scaling skin
  • Blisters

 

Orthotics

Orthopedic devices that treat or adjust various foot disorders, including arch defects, toe-in or toe-out walking and chronically inflamed toes. Cushioned heel cups and insoles for shoes are examples of commercially made orthotics. However, the best orthotics are custom designed by a podiatrist to meet a patient’s specific needs.

In addition, we also provide corrective devices for in-toe (pigeon-toe) and out-toe (duck-toe).

 

Location

Podiatry Institute of Southern California
9808 Venice Blvd., Suite 600
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-204-2300
Fax: 310-204-0444

Office Hours

Get in touch

310-204-2300