Items filtered by date: June 2021

If you’re an older adult, you may have noticed swelling around your ankles. This is a common condition among seniors and is caused by fluid accumulating in the soft tissue surrounding the ankles or in the ankle joint. The swelling may be due to prolonged standing, eating a diet high in salt, sitting for extended periods of time, sustaining an ankle injury, or taking certain medications. It could also be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions. Although ankle swelling is common, it should not be dismissed or ignored. If you have swollen ankles, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist, who can help determine the cause of the swelling and offer the appropriate treatments. 

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact James Pak, DPM from California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

The symptoms of a foot fracture in children are often noticeable. Your child may complain of pain while walking, the foot may change shape, and can become swollen. It can happen from enduring a sudden fall, and an X-ray is often needed for a proper diagnosis. A common form of treatment is to have your child wear a cast, which is helpful in keeping the foot stable as the healing process occurs. Additionally, frequently elevating the affected foot may be beneficial in diminishing existing swelling. Surgery may be required if the fracture is severe or if the bone protrudes from the foot. If you know your child has fallen, is limping, and has difficulty walking, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible so that your child can begin the correct course of treatment.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact James Pak, DPM from California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

Nearly everybody deals with unwanted foot sweat — especially during the summer months — but if you regularly soak straight through your socks and sandals, you may have plantar hyperhidrosis. Plantar hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the feet sweat excessively due to overactive sweat glands. Besides being embarrassing and uncomfortable, excess moisture on the feet can damage the skin, causing unusual cracking, scaling, or pruning, and increasing your risk of getting a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot. Treatment options for plantar hyperhidrosis include topical antiperspirants, botox injections into the feet, and iontophoresis. If you suspect that you may have this condition, please consult with a podiatrist.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact James Pak, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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

When the digital nerve—which is responsible for sensation in the toes—becomes compressed and persistently inflamed, a thickened mass of tissue may form around the irritated part of the nerve. This growth typically occurs between the third and fourth toes, and may make you feel as if you are walking on a marble. This condition is known as Morton's Neuroma. Other symptoms may include pain in the ball of the foot, tingling or numbness in the toes, or a burning pain in between the toes. Because high heels and pointy-toed shoes can squeeze the toes together and compress the digital nerve, women who wear these types of shoes on a regular basis—as well as those who engage in activities that put repeated pressure on the nerve—are more likely to develop Morton’s Neuroma. To reduce your risks, wear lower-heeled shoes with ample space in the toe box, treat foot conditions like bunions and hammertoe, and avoid repetitive motions that apply pressure to that area. If you have any of the symptoms associated with Morton’s Neuroma that last for more than a few days, contact a podiatrist.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact James Pak, DPM of California. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Plantar warts are rough, fleshy bumps or lesions that pop up on the soles of the feet due to an infection known as human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts may cause discomfort or pain and since they are contagious, they can spread and multiply. Individuals at home should never try to remove warts by cutting them off. Podiatrists have a variety of methods to choose from when it comes to wart removal. They may remove warts by using chemicals like salicylic acid to kill the wart cells and exfoliate the skin. Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart, also killing the affected cells. Curettage is cutting or scraping the wart away while electrosurgery burns the warts off. Laser treatment should only be considered for warts that do not respond to the previous treatments mentioned. If you have plantar warts, please seek the care of a podiatrist who can help determine the right treatment option for you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact James Pak, DPM from California. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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