Heel pain is one of the most common problems that bring patients into our office and we are pretty sure that there are many other people who have dealt with heel pain but have never had to turn to a podiatrist for treatment. Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, which is both inflammatory conditions caused by overuse. While many people may choose to treat minor heel pain through rest and home care it’s also important to recognize when you may need to see a podiatrist. Dr. Michael Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute can help you at his offices in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ.

It’s important that you visit your Phoenix, AZ, heel pain expert right away if you are dealing with any of these issues:

• Severe pain and swelling around the heel
• Heel pain even when you are at rest
• Numbness and tingling in the heel
• Trouble walking or bending your foot
• Intense heel pain caused by an injury

While it would require immediate attention, you should still schedule an appointment with a podiatrist if you are dealing with:

• Heel pain that isn’t responding to home care after five days
• Heel pain that is getting worse
• Heel pain for the first time
• Heel pain that goes away and then returns

While plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis tend to be the two most common causes of heel pain they aren’t the only causes. This is why it’s important to see a podiatrist and find out what the underlying cause may be, as different conditions require a different set of treatments. Other causes of heel pain include:

• Heel spurs
• Bursitis
• Stress fracture
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Arthritis
• Nerve problems
• Cysts

If your heel pain is minor, you may choose to treat the problem at home first. Here are some ways to do that:

• Rest as much as possible and avoid exercise or standing for long periods of time
• Ice your heel up to 20 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day
• Wear shoes that are supportive and provide ample cushioning (do not wear shoes that are old and worn out)
• Do not walk around barefoot, even in the house
• Wear custom shoe inserts or place heel cups in the shoes
• Take pain relievers like ibuprofen to alleviate pain and inflammation

Dealing with persistent or recurring heel pain? Is foot pain keeping you from living the life you deserve? If so, then it’s time you got answers. Call Dr. Michael Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute at (602) 340-8686 to schedule an evaluation with our podiatrist in Glendale or Phoenix, AZ.

How your podiatrist in Phoenix AZ can help with ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail looks ugly and is very painful. The pressure caused by wearing shoes is very difficult to deal with. Your Phoenix podiatrist can help with an ingrown toenail, so you can have a new healthy toenail grow in its place.

Dr. Michael Dershowitz at Southwest Foot Institute offers comprehensive foot care, including treatment for ingrown toenails. He has two convenient office locations in Phoenix and Glendale AZ to help you and your feet.

Ways of Preventing an Ingrown Toenail

You can do a lot to prevent the formation of an ingrown toenail. These are some easy tips to prevent this painful toe condition:

• Stop cutting your toenails too short
• Cut your toenails straight across and don’t round the corners
• Wear protective shoes so you don’t damage your toenails
• Wear shoes with enough room for your toes

If you do get an ingrown toenail, there is no mistaking the dark, purplish color, severe pressure, and pain. It's important to talk to your Phoenix podiatrist right away. There are a few easy home remedies to consider. To get some relief and healing, you can try:

• Placing your toe in warm water to soak for several minutes
• Threading dental floss underneath your toenail to gently move your toenail off of your skin
• Rubbing over-the-counter antibiotic cream underneath your toenail
• Placing bandages around your toenail to cushion it
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

Ingrown toenails can become a severe problem, and it’s best to visit your Phoenix podiatrist. Dr. Dershowitz may recommend:

• Lifting and separating your toenail from the skin around it, so your toenail can grow freely
• Trimming off the piece of your toenail that has grown into the skin
• Removing your toenail so you can grow a healthy new one

You don’t have to suffer from an ingrown toenail when relief and healing are just a phone call away. To find out more about ingrown toenail treatment and other foot care services, call Dr. Michael Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute with offices in Phoenix and Glendale AZ at (602) 340-8686. Call now and help your feet!

Don’t let heel pain become the new norm for you. Find out what’s going on.
 
Are you dealing with heel pain? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, heel pain is one of the most common issues that our Phoenix, AZ podiatrists diagnose and treat. If heel pain is bugging you, or if it’s the first time you’re dealing with heel pain, then it’s time to visit a foot specialist to learn the best way to handle your symptoms.
 
More about heel pain

No matter whether you are just experiencing heel pain for the first time or it's a recurring issue, one thing is certain: you need to figure out the cause in order to prevent it from happening again in the future. Let us shed some light on this symptom.
 
The two most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis (which causes pain under the heel) and Achilles tendinitis (which causes pain behind the heel). So, how do you know whether you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis? Well, you may not be able to tell from symptoms alone, meaning you should turn to a foot doctor in Phoenix, AZ, who can properly diagnose the problem, figure out what’s going on, and determine how to best treat it.
 
When should I see a doctor?

Often times, healthy individuals can get away with caring for their symptoms and letting the problem heal itself without having to come in for evaluation; however, if you are dealing with diabetes or nerve damage in your feet, it’s important that you seek medical attention right away if you are dealing with foot pain or other symptoms.
 
You should also schedule an appointment with a foot specialist if the heel pain makes it difficult or painful to stand on the foot or to walk. If your heel pain doesn’t respond to at-home care, gets worse, or lasts more than a couple of weeks, then it’s time to see one of our podiatrists for a consultation.
 
How can I care for my heel pain?

Heel pain can often go away all by itself; however, it’s important that you are giving your feet the proper TLC they need to heal properly. This includes,

• Resting and avoiding high-impact activities (e.g. running)
• Icing the heel 15-20 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day
• Wearing supportive and properly fitted shoes
• Wearing arch supports or other supportive devices within the shoes
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling
• Stretching and performing foot exercises to improve mobility and range of motion

Concerned? Call our office today!

Are you dealing with heel pain that is getting worse or not responding to at-home care? If so, then it’s time to call the experts at Southwest Foot Institute. Schedule a consultation with us today and nip your pain in the bud.

Are you noticing numbness, prickling, or tingling in your feet or hands? Do you feel a sharp, jabbing pain, or suffer from muscle weakness? If so, you may be suffering from peripheral neuropathy.

To determine if this issue is affecting you, Dr. Michael Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute in Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, can help—read on to learn more.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to general damage that occurs to the nerves that send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. These peripheral nerves are solidified in an intricate network connecting the brain to the whole body—skin, muscles, and internal organs. Damage to these nerves interrupts communication, which impairs muscle movement and the proper sensation in limbs.

What are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Pain during simple activities
• Lack of coordination and loss of reflexes
• Some sort of pressure that makes you feel as though you have gloves on
• Muscle twitching, cramping, weakness, spasms, or loss of muscle control
• Difficulty walking or moving limbs
• Dizziness or fainting
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
• Sexual dysfunction

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathies occur by one of three methods:

1. Environmental factors like toxins, trauma, illness, or infection, which include:

• Diabetes
• Inherited diseases
• Alcoholism
• Poor nutrition
• Vitamin deficiency
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Autoimmune disease
• Certain medications
• Kidney or thyroid disease
• Infections like Lyme disease, shingles, or AIDS

2. Hereditary neuropathies are genetically passed from parent to child. The most common is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (a group of inherited diseases that damage the peripheral nerves), which refers to weakness in the legs and arms.

3. Idiopathic neuropathies is when the cause of your neuropathy is unknown.

Reducing Your Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy

Lifestyle choices are key in preventing peripheral neuropathy. Lessen your risk by:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Correct vitamin deficiencies
• Have a healthy diet
• Weight loss
• Exercise regularly

Who should you consult?

If you'd like to learn more about Peripheral Neuropathy and how to reduce your risk, contact Dr. Michael Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute in Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, by calling 602-340-8686 today!

Bunions are bony protrusions that form on the side of the foot and can cause significant pain and discomfort. Your level of pain or discomfort can increase throughout the day as the bunions rub against the inside of the shoes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent bunions from developing. Contact Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix for help preventing bunions. For patients with bunions, our skilled podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz, can also discuss treatment options.

What are Bunions?

Bunions are bony formations that develop on the side of the foot near the big toe when the metatarsophalangeal joint comes out of place. The metatarsophalangeal joint is the joint that connects the big toe to the foot. When the joint becomes dislocated, the big toe tends to slant toward the smaller ones which causes the toe joint to protrude at the side of the foot. This protrusion is referred to as a bunion. Bunions can be painful when they become inflamed due to the friction caused by rubbing against the interior of footwear.

Prevention

There are many steps you can take to prevent bunion development. One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent bunions is to wear shoes that are not too tight. Tight-fitting shoes can cause the toes to become cramped or pinched, which can result in the metatarsophalangeal joint becoming dislocated. In addition to avoiding shoes that are too tight, it is also best to avoid wearing shoes with pointed toes or high heels.

Another helpful method for preventing bunions is to strengthen the feet by performing foot exercises regularly. Foot exercises also improve joint functioning, which can reduce the chances of the metatarsophalangeal joint becoming dislocated. For individuals with an irregular step pattern that puts strain on the metatarsophalangeal joint, custom orthotics that correct foot positioning can also be helpful.

Treatment

Bunions will not go away on their own so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated, bunions can become increasingly more painful and even lead to other foot problems, such as the development of hammertoe. We have several options for treating bunions at our office in Phoenix, including:

• Removal of corns and calluses on the feet
• Foot exercises to improve joint functioning
• Custom orthotics to stabilize the toe joint
• The use of a splint to realign the toe joint
• Protective padding in footwear to reduce friction
• Surgery to realign the metatarsophalangeal toe joint
• Surgical removal of the bunion(s)

It is possible to prevent bunion development and we can help. Our knowledgeable podiatrist can provide guidance on bunion prevention, as well as recommend specific treatment methods, if needed. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dershowitz for the prevention or treatment of bunions, call Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, AZ, at (602) 340-8686. We also have a convenient office location in Glendale.