Diabetic patients can suffer serious medical complications if a foot wound is left untreated. This is because high blood sugar levels can impact the circulatory and nervous systems, leading to poor circulation and nerve damage, particularly in the feet. There are methods that can be implemented which can help to prevent complications from diabetes. These can include washing and drying the feet thoroughly, wearing shoes that fit correctly, and trimming the toenails properly. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to effectively manage your foot health. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially 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, as 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 located in Wheeling and Berwyn, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot and ankle injuries are common occurrences among runners. Overload or overuse is one of the most frequent reasons for injury. When running, increasing the intensity, distance, or duration of your workouts too quickly can place your feet and ankles under immense stress and make them more susceptible to conditions like plantar fasciitis and stress fractures. A lack of strength and flexibility in your lower limbs may also make injuries more likely, so it is important to stretch and strengthen the feet and ankles. There are other potential causes for injury, such as muscle imbalances or not taking enough time to recover following a workout. For more information about running injuries and how to prevent them, please consult with a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Illinois . Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Metatarsus adductus (MTA) is a congenital foot deformity in which the front part of the foot is curved inward. This condition is fairly common and painless and can affect one or both of a baby’s feet. MTA often goes away without intervention within the first three years of life. In rare cases, MTA does not go away on its own and requires treatment. Treatments for this condition include stretching therapy or wearing a cast to move the foot into the correct position. In very rare cases, surgery may be needed. To learn more about foot and ankle development in babies and toddlers, and how you can best support your child’s foot health, please consult with a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

There are a variety of painful conditions that can impact the feet, and many of those can cause pain in the toes. Pain and swelling around the toenails where the nail has curled into the skin is a common sign of ingrown toenails. Bunions are formed near the big toe as painful bony lumps that form due to poorly fitting shoes. If any toes are broken, the toes will become painful and swollen, and walking could be difficult. If there is pain and stiffness around the joints, and they feel hot and swollen, that may be a sign of gout, which is affected by the level of uric acid in the blood. If the pain in the toes is severe, gets worse, results in a loss of sensation, or you are diabetic, consulting with a podiatrist is suggested. A podiatrist will be able to diagnose and provide treatment options for pain that is in the toes and feet.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection caused by fungi that thrive and grow in warm and moist environments such as showers, locker rooms, and pools. Because Athlete’s foot is very contagious, it can even spread from towels, floors, or clothing. Athlete’s foot presents itself as a red, scaly rash between the toes. The infection will become itchy and form blisters, and the skin will become cracked and peel. As the infection spreads to the toenails, they will become thick and discolored as well. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the entire foot and even to the hands. Because of how contagious it is, it is important to keep the feet dry and to not share any personal items such as socks, shoes, or towels. If you notice the signs of Athlete’s foot, visiting a podiatrist is suggested.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Illinois .  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

Foot wounds, or ulcers, occur when the outer layers of the skin are damaged, thus exposing the deeper tissues of the feet. Ulcers can form due to wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly or from an injury that breaks the skin. Ulcers are most common in patients who have diabetes, neuropathy or vascular disease, and these open wounds can become infected if left untreated. While the wounds may not be painful, common signs include redness, inflammation, an odor, or thickened tissue. Patients who are at a higher risk for foot wounds, or have wounds that don’t heal, should consult with a podiatrist. Usually, a podiatrist will remove the unhealthy skin to assist with healing. Then, depending on the situation, special shoe padding, antibiotics, or surgery may be recommended for treating the wound.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Although they can be annoying and uncomfortable, most blisters that occur on the feet are harmless and appear as the result of friction from shoes rubbing repeatedly against a specific area of the skin. There are several steps that you can take to prevent blisters. First, it is important to have the right footwear. It is imperative that the shoes that are worn fit properly, and moisture-wicking socks can also be worn to protect the feet and keep them cool and dry. If you have areas on your feet that are prone to blistering, padding those areas by wearing a moleskin bandage over them may help prevent the blisters from developing. If you are performing an activity, such as running, and you feel pain or discomfort in your feet or that the skin on your feet has become red and irritated, it is suggested that you cease the activity immediately to avoid blister formation. For more information about how to prevent blisters, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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

The study of the movement and structure of living organisms is known as biomechanics. Podiatrists have long been interested in biomechanics not only in regard to the treatment of certain foot, ankle, and gait disorders, but also in the biomechanic effects of certain footwear. Shoes—as the line of defense between the body and the ground—are integral to how people control the movement of their bodies and lower limbs in particular. Along with offering the feet support and protection, wearing shoes when walking allows for better muscle movement and longer strides. Footwear that is designed for optimal foot biomechanics is believed by some to be particularly beneficial to those with chronic ankle instability by reducing the extension of the ankle and improving gait. If you are interested in learning more about how different shoes change the biomechanics of your feet, or are experiencing any weakness in your ankles, contact a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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