Find out if the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to nerve damage.

Peripheral neuropathy is a problem that isn’t often talked about and yet over 20 million people in the US alone have some form of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes damage to the peripheral nervous system, a system that’s responsible for transmitting sensory messages from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, our Phoenix podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz is here to tell you more about it and the best ways to manage the condition.

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

There are two ways in which peripheral neuropathy occurs. It may be genetic (meaning that it’s inherited) or it’s something that was acquired over time due to an accident or health problem.

Some causes include:

Physical trauma: This could be everything from a sports-related injury to a car accident, which can compress or overstretch the nerves and lead to nerve damage.

Health problems: There are a variety of conditions and disorders that can also increase your chances of developing peripheral neuropathy such as kidney disorders, certain autoimmune, endocrine and metabolic (e.g. diabetes) disorders, cancer or infections (e.g. Lyme disease; Epstein-Barr virus).

Toxin exposure: Whether your job involves working among a lot of environmental or industrial toxins or you are a heavy drinker, any long-term or intense exposure to certain toxins could lead to peripheral neuropathy.

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

Not all symptoms will be the same for everyone with peripheral neuropathy. Some people may experience muscle twitching, muscle weakness, difficulty walking or the inability to walk, a loss of sensation, pain, tingling, numbness and muscle atrophy. These symptoms are more often felt in the feet and hands.

How is it treated?

While there are only a few kinds of peripheral neuropathy that can be completely cured, there are many treatment options out there to improve and manage your symptoms. In fact, some treatments we offer can actually help the damaged nerves regenerate. In order to support faster and more effective healing, our Phoenix foot doctor will offer up certain lifestyle modifications such as ample sleep, certain exercise routines, a healthy, balanced diet and quitting smoking if you are currently a smoker.

If you are experiencing mild to moderate foot pain, these symptoms can often be relieved through over-the-counter pain relievers; however, we can also recommend a variety of stronger prescription medications such as topical anesthetic patches, steroids and opioids.

Regular physical therapy and rehabilitation may also help you to rebuild strength while also improving your coordination and balance. Laser therapy is an effective treatment while also being painless and noninvasive. For more persistent cases, surgical decompression of nerves is also a treatment option available. 

Whether you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy or you are seeking effective treatment options, don’t hesitate to turn to our Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, foot care team at Southwest Foot Institute for the help you need to improve your quality of life.

Some conditions affecting your feet begin painlessly and grow worse over a long period of time. One of the common foot-related conditions, hammertoes, can eventually cause pain, discomfort, or even other conditions as a result of remaining untreated. However, learning the signs of this condition and how they affect your foot can help you spot a hammertoe early to help you manage or even overcome your condition. Find out more about hammertoes with your podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz at Southwest Foot Institute with locations in Phoenix, AZ, and Glendale, AZ.

What is a hammertoe?

Hammertoe is a condition of the toe which causes it to curl under and resemble the clawed back side of a hammer. Hammertoe occurs when the muscles in the toe become weakened, shortening the tendon and causing it to make the toe curl. Though there is no one cause of hammertoe, you tend to inherit the type of foot you get, including the type which is susceptible to conditions like hammertoe. Wearing ill-fitting, high-heeled, or too-narrow shoes can also contribute to the development of hammertoes. Arthritis and bunions can also contribute to hammertoes.

Do I have a hammertoe?

Hammertoe affects the toes and bottom or ball of the foot, causing pain and discomfort in those areas. Often, however, hammertoes are painless until they are in their later stages. The toe itself will begin to curl under, often causing a corn or callus on top of the toe where its new shape forces it to rub on the inside of the shoes. Hammertoe pain often becomes worse with use of the foot, so you may experience more pain after walking a long distance or standing for a long period of time.

Hammertoe Treatments

Treating hammertoe depends on the patient and their condition’s severity. In their early stages, lifestyle changes like switching the type of shoe you wear or correcting underlying problems may help slow or even stop hammertoe development. More severe cases may need toe straightening devices or even surgery to correct the problem. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best course of treatment for you.

For more information on hammertoes, please contact podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz at Southwest Foot Institute with locations in Phoenix, AZ, and Glendale, AZ. Call (602) 340-8686 to schedule your appointment in Phoenix or (602) 340-8686 to schedule your appointment in Glendale today!

Ingrown toenails are very common. Although anyone can get an ingrown toenail, there are a few factors that can make some people more susceptible than others and increase the risk of developing them. Although they can be painful and uncomfortable, they can easily be treated. Dr. Michael Dershowitz, a podiatrist and Founder and Director of The Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, offers treatment and relief for ingrown toenails and other common foot and ankle problems.

Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ

A toenail can become ingrown on any toe, but they are most common in the big toe. Some can be mild and only cause mild redness and swelling, while others can become infected and cause significant pain and discomfort. Although ingrown toenails are typically a minor issue for people in good health, men and women with diabetes are at greater risk for serious complications from minor foot conditions and injuries and should seek immediate treatment for any foot problems or signs of infection.

Facts About Ingrown Toenails

When the corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin of the affected toe, it causes a number of symptoms including:

• Pain and swelling
• Redness
• Tenderness

Ingrown toenails can also become infected, in which case there may also be pus and other signs of infection. Depending on the severity of symptoms and whether or not the nail becomes infected, the podiatrist may separate the nail from the skin by splinting it with cotton or dental floss, remove part of the nail, or prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection.

There are a few precautions anyone can take in order to decrease the risk of developing an ingrown toenail:

• Wear comfortable and supportive shoes that don't crowd the toes
• Keep toenails clean and trim them straight across, try to avoid sharp or jagged edges
• If you have diabetes, schedule regular podiatry appointments and regularly check your feet for signs of cuts, sores or infection

Find a Podiatrist in Phoenix, AZ

For more information on the best treatment and prevention options for ingrown toenails, contact The Southwest Foot Institute by calling (602) 340-8686 in Phoenix or (602) 340-8686 in Glendale to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dershowitz today.

Have you stopped exercising, going to the mall or enjoying long leisurely walks after dinner because of heel pain? Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz discusses several common causes of painful heels and explains how you can relieve your pain.

Stone Bruises

Have you recently stepped on a stone or hard object or worn shoes that don't provide enough cushioning for your heels? You may have a stone bruise in the fat pad that covers the bottom of your heel bone. The bruises can make walking painful for a few weeks. In fact, it may feel as if you're walking on a stone even though you can't find any pebbles in your shoe. The good news is that stone bruises go away after a week or two. Until then, use ice packs and take over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve your pain.

Plantar Fasciitis

When heel pain is worse when you first wake up or worsens after you resume activity after sitting or standing, suspect plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when your plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue that connects your heel and your toes, becomes inflamed.

Activities that stress your heel, such as running, playing basketball or ballet dancing, can cause plantar fasciitis. It's more common after age 40 and may be more likely to occur if you're overweight or have flat feet. Treatments for plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, night splints to stretch your fascia, orthotics, corticosteroid injections or laser treatment.

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis and Achilles Tendinitis

Because both of these conditions have similar symptoms, it's hard to tell which one you have without a visit to our Phoenix or Glendale office. Your Achilles tendon is the long, thin tendon you can feel at the back of your heel. The retrocalcaneal bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac on the back of your heel that allows the Achilles tendon to glide effortlessly over the bone. When either of these structures become inflamed, heel pain can occur.

The conditions are more likely to occur if you are a runner or a walker, wear poorly fitting shoes, push yourself too hard when you workout, have tight calf muscles or spend long periods of time on your feet. Physical therapy, orthotics, pain medications and laser therapy can be helpful in reducing pain.

If heel pain has stopped you for doing the things you enjoy, schedule an appointment with podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz. Schedule an appointment with his Phoeniz or Glendale, AZ office by calling (602) 340-8686.

Caring for your bunion is actually much easier than you might think.

While its women that predominantly suffer from bunion problems, the fact remains that this joint deformity at the base of the big toe can happen to anyone. If left untreated, this deformity will progress and cause serious pain and other issues. This is why our Phoenix podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz recommends that you follow these simple rules for keeping your bunion symptoms under control:

Wear the Proper Footwear

You can imagine just how much your bunion will cry out in pain if you slip into high heels, shoes with pointed toes or shoes that are too tight. Why would you put your feet through this kind of abuse? There is no need to do this when there are a variety of shoes out there that can provide the proper fit while also offering stability and support. Remember, your toes should be able to wiggle around in your shoes. If they can’t then the shoes are too tight.

Protective Padding

If your shoes are rubbing against your bunion or if you just want to provide additional protection for your bunion while wearing shoes, you can place a non-medicated moleskin pad over the bunion. This will also prevent friction, calluses or an infection from developing.

If you are having trouble controlling your bunion pain then talk to our Phoenix foot doctor for other suggestions. In some cases, particularly for more serious symptoms, you may require more aggressive options like corticosteroid injections.

In rare situations in which bunions symptoms are severe, don’t respond to treatment and affect your quality of life, we will recommend that you get surgery. While surgery is the only way to correct this deformity, more often than not, people can control their symptoms through non-surgical methods.

Do you have questions about your bunion symptoms? Want to learn about other ways in which we can reduce your pain and swelling? If so, then call Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix or Glendale, AZ, today to find out how we can improve your foot health for the long term.