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.

Are you dealing with any foot issues? Here at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, Dr. Michael H. Dershowitz can help you and your feet feel better.

If you are suffering from ankle, foot, or toe pain, it’s hard to know whether it will go away on its own, or whether you should seek out the help of a podiatrist. You should seek out the help of Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, if you are experiencing:

• Chronic pain in your ankles or feet that will not go away
• Nail or skin changes on your feet or toes
• Severely cracked, peeling skin on your feet
• Blisters or other open sores on your feet

If you are diabetic, you should also receive regular foot examinations from your podiatrist. After all, diabetics are at risk of sores that won’t heal, nerve pain, decreased blood flow to the feet and toes, and other serious conditions. Your podiatrist can help keep your feet healthy.

One of the most common foot conditions is plantar fasciitis, which causes severe heel pain. It’s caused by overpronation, or the rolling your feet when you walk. Your podiatrist can treat plantar fasciitis by recommending custom-fit orthotics and other devices to take the stress off of your heels.

Other common reasons to see your podiatrist include:

• Bunions, which are large, bony bumps on the side of your big toe; your podiatrist may recommend bunion removal and realignment of your foot.
• Toenail fungus, which starts out as a tiny spot under your toenail and grows larger as it burrows underneath your toenail; your podiatrist may recommend prescription-strength anti-fungal cream to aid this issue.
• Foot or ankle fractures, which can happen because of an accident or sports injury; your podiatrist can help by recommending crutches, a brace or cast, or another device to take weight off of your ankle while your ankle heals.

These are just a few of the reasons why it’s important to visit your podiatrist. To find out more about how a podiatrist can help with foot, ankle, or toe pain, call Dr. Michael H. Dershowitz of Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, at (602) 340-8686. Call today!

Do you suffer from one or more corns on your feet? More than just annoying, these hard skin bumps really hurt, and can even change the way that you walk. Fortunately, here at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, your podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz, treats problems related to corns and can show you ways on how to prevent them.

Those stubborn corns

Corns on the tops or bottoms of your feet, or even between your toes, can really hurt as you walk. A type of callus, corns typically present themselves as small, hardened, and raised areas of skin that if untreated, continue to grow and eventually ulcerate.

At our offices in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, your podiatrist sees many patients that suffer from considerable corn-related discomfort. He examines corns carefully to discover why they are forming. Causes for corn formation frequently include:

• Friction from socks which bunch up inside the shoes
• Shoes which are too tight or fit too loosely, causing areas of friction
• Foot deformities such as bony bunions and claw-like hammertoes, says the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Treating corns

Removal becomes necessary if corns have become large and particularly harmful to your foot. For smaller and less widespread corns, however, you can attempt some self-care such as warm soaks, the use of over-the-counter medicated pads, and pumice stone therapy, all of which may shrink the size and rough surface of a corn. Wearing wider and more well-padded shoes helps, as well, as do customized shoe inserts (orthotics) which can correct how you place your feet as you walk.

Cure your corns

With the help of Dr. Dershowitz and his friendly staff at Southwest Foot Institute you can find relief from your crowns. Set up an appointment at either Phoenix or Glendale office today by dialing (602) 340-8686.

Find out what might be causing your heel pain.

With Americans spending so much of their lives on their feet, it’s no surprise that heel pain is a common complaint. From wearing worn or improperly fitted shoes to suddenly increasing the length of a run, there are many reasons why heel pain may develop. From the office of our Phoenix podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz, here are some common symptoms you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis related heel pain.
 

What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a thick ligament that runs the soles of the feet from the toes to the heel bone. This ligament is responsible for providing the arches with support. If the fascia is overstretched or strained this can lead to inflammation or plantar fasciitis.
 

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The classic symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing heel pain that is often worse in the morning or after bouts of inactivity. Whenever you rest, the ligament relaxes but when you stand up or move around this can stretch the inflamed ligament, which results in severe pain at the bottom of the heel that may extend to the arches. You may also notice swelling and stiffness around the heel.
 

How should I treat plantar fasciitis?

Even though this is a common condition it’s important that you get the proper care you need and to not ignore your heel pain. Rest is crucial to proper healing. Avoid any high-impact exercises or activities that might exacerbate the inflamed heel.

Conservative care is sometimes all that’s needed to treat plantar fasciitis. If you’ve dealt with this problem before then chances are you recognize your symptoms; however, if you are dealing with heel pain for the first time it’s a good idea to see your Phoenix foot doctor to find out if you are dealing with plantar fasciitis. After all, there are several causes of heel pain and it’s important to know the best way to treat the problem.

Options for treating plantar fasciitis-related heel pain include,

• Stretching exercises
• Wearing proper footwear that provides support
• Resting and elevating the foot
• Splinting or bracing the foot, especially during the night
• Wearing custom orthotics
• MLS laser treatment
• Injection therapy

If you are dealing with persistent or recurring heel pain in Phoenix or Glendale, AZ, it may be time to turn to our foot specialists for some answers. Call Southwest Foot Institute today to get your heel pain under control.

Have you noticed that your feet have been changing over the years? Are they wider than they once were, primarily around the big toe area? If so, you may be dealing with the presence of a bunion, an often painful foot deformity that arises from overuse and pressure from too tight of shoes. Fortunately, your Phoenix podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz, can be your local resource for bunion treatment!

How bunions can impact you

If you have noticed that your big toe is just now pointing closer to your other toes, and that bony bump now exists on the inside of your foot by the base of your big toe, you probably have a bunion. This means that your first metatarsal foot bone has shifted sideways, causing your toes to move and the bones at the big toe joint to bulge. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities that people experience, particularly as they age.

Sometimes, bunions just change the look of your foot and how your shoes fit, but refrain from causing any painful symptoms. Other times, bunions will change the look of your foot, and also cause a great deal of pain in the bones of your big toe and foot. In these cases, the pain is often the sharpest in the bulging toe joint.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most common bunion symptoms are:

• Pain in the bulging toe joint, especially when wearing tight shoes.
• Thick, hardened skin on the ball of the foot.
• Redness, swelling, and inflammation of the big toe joint.
• Difficulty moving the big toe.
• Corns developing on the bunion or on other toes.

Seeking bunion treatment

Bunion pain can be unbearable, and even become chronic, if left untreated. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it may be time to seek bunion treatment. The type of treatment offered depends on several factors, including the severity of the deformity and any other medical conditions a patient may have.

Some possible treatments include:

• Wearing properly fitted shoes. You always want to wear shoes that are wide enough and support your foot properly.
• Using toe splints. These serve as spacers between your toes and are designed to help maintain proper joint alignment while slowing the progression of the bunion.
• Taking over-the-counter pain medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both pills and creams, can help ease bunion pain and inflammation.

For very severe, unrelenting bunion symptoms, surgery from our Phoenix podiatrist may be the best bunion treatment. Bunion surgery corrects the bone/joint alignment in the foot and can relieve symptoms.

Need relief? Give us a call

The only way to determine which bunion treatment will suit your needs is to consult a professional. Call our Phoenix office today at (602) 340-8686 to schedule a consultation with your podiatrist, Dr. Dershowitz!