March 2022

The nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes are affected when a condition known as Morton’s neuroma is present. It can cause significant pain, and some people say it feels as if there is a rock or pebble inside the ball of the foot. The most common pain consists of a stabbing or burning sensation that typically worsens over time. This condition can develop as a result from wearing shoes that are too narrow or from medical conditions like bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet. Mild relief may be found when the affected foot is elevated or massaged. It can also be beneficial to perform certain exercises to maintain and strengthen the arch of the foot. Fill a plastic bottle with ice and roll it back and forth along the bottom of the foot. (This will help with inflammation too) Another stretch can be performed while sitting down with your legs straight in front of you. Place the ball of your foot in the middle of a towel, then grab both ends of the towel and gently pull towards your shin. If you have pain in the ball of your foot, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of Illinois . Our doctors will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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 thick band of tissue that is found on the sole of the foot is known as the plantar fascia. It connects the heel to the toes, and acts as a shock absorber, in addition to providing support to the arch. When the plantar fascia becomes irritated, plantar fasciitis may develop. This can cause pain and discomfort, and the pain may be more severe in the morning after arising. Athletes who develop this condition are often unhappy about it, and it may limit running. It can help to wear supportive footwear, and many athletes gradually increase training. There are specific stretches that can be performed which can help the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. If you would like more information about the causes and treatment of plantar fasciitis, please consult with a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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.

Cracked heels can be unsightly. The skin on the heel becomes dry and thickened and can even start to crack or fissure. Anyone can develop cracked heels, but it is more likely to happen to those who wear shoes with open heels (like sandals), take very hot baths or showers, use harsh soaps, have cold/dry skin, stand for long periods of time, have a physical condition such as obesity, diabetes or eczema or some deformity of the foot, like flat feet. No matter what the cause of your cracked heels are, there are steps you can take to prevent and treat them. Removing dry skin with a loofah and applying a heavy moisturizer to the bottom of the feet regularly helps. Typically, cracked heels won't cause serious health concerns, but occasionally severely cracked heels can get infected and lead to a skin infection called cellulitis. If this condition persists, it is important to see a qualified podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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.

Onychomycosis, or tinea unguium, is a type of fungal infection that can affect fingernails and, more commonly, toenails. If you have a fungal toenail infection your nail may become thickened, brittle, ragged, crumbly, or discolored. Toenails are made up of layers of fibrous keratin, which the fungus can get in between. The fungus can even grow underneath the nail or in the matrix of the nail (where it grows), causing the nail to separate from the toe. Each of these scenarios can make treating toenail fungus challenging when using oral or topical antifungal medicines. Laser therapy treatment to eradicate toenail fungus has become a popular and effective treatment because it can painlessly and accurately target the fungus within the layers, underneath, or in the matrix of the toenail without affecting healthy structures surrounding it. If you have toenail fungus, contact a podiatrist to see if laser treatment is right for you.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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.

There are a variety of injuries that can impact the feet and ankles that come from playing baseball. One of the most common injuries that occurs in baseball, due to running, sliding, and stepping on bases, is an ankle sprain. Athletes who overtrain can also develop heel injuries, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy. There are also a number of injuries that can be caused by cleats. If the cleats don’t fit properly, they could cause issues such as bunions, hammertoes and neuromas. Ingrown toenails are also common among baseball players, since toenails that are cut too short or at an angle can dig into the skin and get infected. Baseball players who are dealing with any sort of pain or aggravation in their feet or ankles would be wise to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.  

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from Illinois . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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.