Ingrown toenails are one of the most common reasons for toe pain, especially the big toe.  Ingrown toenails occur when the sides of the toenail grows into the skin.  The digging into the skin of the nail leads to a range of symptoms including redness and pain.  Often the skin on the affected side of the toe will appear swollen and may be firm. The skin may even start to grow over the nail.  In some cases there may be drainage from the toenail as well.

There are a couple of different possible causes of ingrown toenails including wearing shoes that are too tight and squeeze the toes.  As well cutting toenails too short or rounded can cause the nail to grow into the skin.  Injury like stubbing the toe can lead to an ingrown toenail.   Also some people are born with curved nails and are prone to develop ingrown toenails.

The condition needs to be treated in order to avoid infection, a common complication of an ingrown toenail.  Treatment at home consists of soaks and trimming the nail.  Sometimes at home treatments will not sufficiently remove the nail and can cause the condition to worsen.  Treatment by a podiatrist consists of removing the ingrown part of the nail through a procedure called a partial nail avulsion.  The doctor will first numb the toe then cut the edge of the toenail which is growing incorrectly.  The removed side of nail may take months to regrow.  It is also recommended following the procedure to wear sandals or avoid tight shoes.

If you are suffering from pain or infection caused by an ingrown toenail, make an appointment at one of our four offices located in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, and Orange City, Florida.  The physicians at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates will treat your condition as conservatively as possible and get you back on your feet.

By Dr. Matthew Hentzel

Recently in different parts of the country including Alabama and California, there has been an outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).  Typically this condition affects children but also has the potential to affect adults as well.  Commonly the disease is seen affect classes of preschools or daycares.  HFMD can be caused by several viruses, commonly coxsackievirus A16.

Once the disease has been contracted it will take about three to seven days to see symptoms.  Signs and symptoms usually begin with fever and malaise.  A day or two after the onset of the fever, small red spots that will become blisters and then sores or ulcers will appear in the mouth.  Often with these lesions there can be associated sore throat and decreased appetite.  A rash will then appear on the skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet which may as well turn into blisters and sores.  The rash may also be present around the calf.

The disease spreads by direct contact often through oral secretions or stools and can even be spread weeks after the disease seems to have resolved.  Thorough washing of hands as well as avoiding close contact and sharing food or utensils with someone affected can help to prevent the spread of the disease or at least decrease the chances of contracting the disease.  

There is no certain treatment for the disease since it will commonly resolve on its own in about seven days.  However to alleviate pain and fever NSAIDs or Tylenol can be used.   Over the counter medicines and sprays can also be used to alleviate any pain of the throat.    As far as complications, one of the more common complications of the disease mostly in younger children is fingernail and toenail loss.  However the nails do grow back with time.

The physicians at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates treatpatients of all ages, ranging from pediatric to geriatric.  Please contact our office if you are suffering from any of the following:

• Persistent pain in your feet or ankles
• Severe cracking, scaling, or peeling on the heel or foot
• Blisters on your feet
• Changes in the nails or skin on your foot
• Heel Pain
• Toenail Fungus

With offices conveniently located in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Orange City, our physicians will get you healthy and back on your feet again!

By Dr. Dennis McBroom

Although Adele won six Grammy Awards, celebrity fashion on the Red Carpet is still a hot topic in the news.  A key feature of fashion is of course shoes, particularly high heels.  High heels, as fashionable as they are, often contribute to many foot pathologies. 

Wearing high heels which often have a narrow toe box can encourage the formation of a bunion, a swelling at the big toe joint.  Bunions may not be aesthetically pleasing and may also cause pain and difficulty in finding appropriately fitting shoewear.   To avoid the formation of bunions, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends not wearing shoes with heels taller than 2 inches.  However, of course high heels are not the sole cause of bunions, genetics and biomechanics are also contributing factors.

High heels may also exacerbate the symptoms of a neuroma, a benign nerve tumor that often brings feelings of pain, numbness, or tingling.  The APMA again recommends shoes with heels no higher than 2 inches due to the stress placed on the forefoot where the neuroma is often located.

Wearing high heels constantly may also shorten the Achilles tendon which may lead to pain and tendonitis.  High heels may also alter the direction and pull of the Achilles tendon causing a deformity known as the “pump bump” (Haglund’s deformity) which may become painful.

Last but not least, high heels are infamous for the foot pain associated with them.  With the heel lifted, more pressure and body weight is placed on the ball of the foot.  This can change the position of the foot during gait (or movement).

Certain steps may be taken to prevent serious complications from high heels.  At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates, we recommend that you limit the amount of time wearing heels.  When wearing heels, chose a pair with a wider toe box and a smaller heel.  Also, stretch your calves to avoid any complications with your Achilles tendon.

If you’ve suffered from the pain that wearing high heels cause, come in and see us at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates.  We have four offices conveniently located in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Orange City, Florida.  You don’t need to suffer any longer!

By Dr. Dennis McBroom

Having never considered myself much of an athlete, let alone spent any time running, in 2004 I strangely convinced myself to run a half marathon.  The Detroit Free Press Marathon really appealed to me because it offered what no other marathon does: two international border crossings and an underwater mile through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.  With less than two months to train, I hit the pavement. 

Autumn in Michigan is nothing short of breathtaking.  Vibrant colors of changing leaves helped take my mind off the pain I was experiencing in just about every part of my body.  I did most of my training at a beautiful park with a scenic eight-mile pathway winding through hills and woods, often with views of the lake the path surrounded (which inevitably sparked my on-and-off-again love affair with running).  The cool temperatures were ideal, and two months later, I ran the half with an overall time of 2:13.  Being a novice runner, I had no idea if that was good or bad – I was just happy I finished.

The experience of participating in such an amazing event had me convinced; next year I was going to run the full marathon!  I was going to keep training throughout the year so I would be prepared and ready for next fall’s event!  And then winter set in.  Snow, sleet, slop.  Yuck.  As much as I despise the cold (and running in snow), my disdain for treadmills is even stronger.  

Fast-forward seven years.  The on-and-off-again love affair continues.  Although running has consistently been a part of my exercise regimen, there has been no distance training to speak of.  I now live in Florida where the weather is optimal for outdoor activities.  I had heard about a small group of runners that trained a few times a week, and decided to give it a whirl.  Within a couple of months, I’m back up to eight-mile distance runs on the on the beach (talk about beautiful scenery), and the rest is an up-hill battle at the bridge. 

I’ve always had some knee issues when running distance, but for the first time I’m finding other pains creeping in (maybe I’m just getting old).  As the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates, I have full access to five of the best podiatrists in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, and Orange City.  A runner’s dream! 

When I began experiencing heel pain, (especially when I first got out of bed in the morning), I learned that I was suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, a condition common to runners.  Being the typical hard-headed runner, I wasn’t willing to hang up my shoes just yet.  With the help of custom orthotics made at our office, I have been able to continue training and have run three 5k’s, and a 10k (that is a picture of me getting my 2^nd place award at the Daytona Speedway 5k race).   My heel pain is going away and I am looking forward to the next event!

By Marisa Aitken

A-Rod has ventured into the world of ‘Orthobiologics’.  In December of 2011 he flew to Germany where his knee and shoulder were treated with PRP (Platlet-rich plasma).

Orthobiologics is cutting edge technology which augments the body’s healing potential and in the case of PRP, it allows for healing proteins known as growth factors to aid in the repair process.  This treatment initially originated in the dental community where it was used with mandibular reconstruction.  The process for PRP is fairly simple where a small sample of blood is withdrawn from the patient, placed into a centrifuge and separated into its components. The platelets are then injected into the site of injury.  Other notable athletes who have used PRP include Tiger Woods and Cliff Lee.

PRP has been used to treat a variety of foot and ankle pathology including but not limited to plantar fasciitis (heel pain),  peroneal and Achilles tendonopathy.  Additional options include but are not limited to ankle bracing, custom orthotics, physical therapy, cross-training, activity modification and/or surgical intervention. The treatment plans for the particular problem are based on the pathology, diagnosis and clinical presentation of the patient.

From the professional athlete to the weekend warrior, our goal is to keep you on your feet at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates.  With four offices conveniently located in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Orange City, Florida, we are able to provide a wide variety of both conservative and surgical options to keep you pain free.

Don’t suffer from foot or ankle pain any longer… have your feet evaluated by one of our five physicians at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates.  To make an appointment online visit our appointment request page or call our office and speak with one of our friendly staff members.

By Dr. Sona Ramdath Jr.