A new surgical device known as the HammerLock 2 is being used to treat hammertoes effectively and without infection. The device is made with nitinol, is inserted into the bone where it is clipped back causing the material to expand and straighten the toe. This new method allows patients to move their toes quicker where the traditional method can cause the toes to become swollen or infected.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. If you are suffering from hammertoes, contact Dr. Michael E. Newman of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

• Genetics – people who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
• Arthritis – because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
• Trauma – direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
• Ill-fitting shoes – undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

• Orthotics – custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
• Medications – oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
• Surgery – in more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read More about Hammertoes

A month before her UFC debut fight, Jessica Aguilar says she suffered a broken toe and broken foot, both on her right foot. It turned out to be a lose-lose situation for Aguilar during her fight with Claudia Gadelha who ended her 10-fight win streak. Aguilar told FOX sports that she “learned from her decision and won’t be doing that again” in regards to trying to fight with a severely debilitated right foot. Aguilar has not called for a return-date and is taking her foot injury much more serious now.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns contact podiatrists Dr. Michael Newman and Dr. Denise Kohler of The Healing Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• throbbing pain
• swelling
• bruising on the skin and toenail
• the inability to move the toe
• toe appears crooked or disfigured
• tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any concerns please feel free to contact our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about a broken toe.

Chance Warmack of the Tennessee Titans and his big toes are feeling better prepared for their next game since having an ingrown toenail removed. During a preseason game against the St. Louis Rams, Warmack played through the pain and immediately went to see the doctor the next day to remedy the situation. The doctor removed the ingrown nail from both big toes with Warmack describing it as “toe meat.” Since then the guard has started to take better care of his feet and toenails stating, “I just have to soak it and take care of it... When I am not practicing it hurts.”

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. To learn more, consult with Dr. Michael E. Newman and Dr. Denise Kohler of Pennsylvania. Our doctors will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Ingrown Toenails

According to a study being tested at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, maggots may be used to treat chronic diabetic ulcers. While maggot therapy has been an ancient practice, it is going through clinical trials to see if the feasting of dying tissue and germs in wounds can have positive effects. The study is set into involve 128 Veterans with diabetic ulcers where the maggots or larvae will be produced and sterilized in an “eight step-step control” routine. Although the term “maggot” does have negative connotations, they have been proven to clean out wounds nicely under the right control.

Although the use of maggots to treat diabetic feet may seem kind of extreme, general diabetic foot care is extremely important. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet contact Dr. Michael E. Newman and Dr. Denise Kohler of Pennsylvania. Our doctors will diagnose and treat your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. Diabetes can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels because blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA

. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about diabetic foot care