October 2024

Diabetic foot ulcers are a significant risk for people with diabetes, often leading to severe complications if not properly managed. These ulcers are open sores or wounds that usually occur on the bottom of the feet, caused by a combination of poor circulation and nerve damage, common in diabetic patients. Prevention is key in managing this risk. Daily foot inspections, maintaining proper foot hygiene, and wearing well-fitted shoes can help prevent ulcers. Managing blood sugar levels also plays a vital role in prevention. For those who develop foot ulcers, early treatment is critical. This includes cleaning and dressing the wound, controlling infection, and using custom orthotics or special footwear to alleviate pressure on the affected area. In more severe cases, surgical interventions may be necessary. If you have diabetes, and develop a foot ulcer, it is strongly suggested that you include a podiatrist on your health care team for routine care of your feet.

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 Glenn Davison, DPM from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor 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 Union, NJ and New York . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoes are a deformity where one or more toes become bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. This condition often affects the second, third, or fourth toes and can lead to pain, stiffness, and difficulty wearing shoes. Common symptoms include visible toe bending, discomfort, corns or calluses from friction with footwear, and limited range of motion in the affected toes. Hammertoes develop due to muscle imbalances in the foot, often caused by wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, injury, or conditions like arthritis or diabetes. Left untreated, hammertoes can worsen, leading to complications such as open sores, infections, or permanent joint damage. Treatment options vary depending on severity, from conservative approaches such as wearing roomier shoes to surgical correction in more advanced cases. If you have a hammertoe, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist as early intervention can alleviate discomfort and prevent further deformity.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Glenn Davison, DPM of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Plantar fibromatosis, also known as Ledderhose disease, is a condition characterized by the growth of fibrous nodules, or fibromas, in the plantar fascia, the tissue on the sole of the foot. Its cause is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to genetic factors, trauma, or repetitive stress on the feet. It is more common in individuals with other fibromatoses, such as Dupuytren’s contracture, a condition where the tissue under the skin of the palm thickens, causing the fingers, usually the ring and pinky, to curl inward over time. Diagnosis involves a physical exam where firm nodules can be felt under the skin. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI scans, may be used to assess the extent of the condition and rule out other issues like plantar fasciitis. Management typically begins conservatively with treatments like orthotics to relieve discomfort. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be needed to remove the nodules, though recurrence rates can be high post-surgery. If you have a nodule on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Glenn Davison, DPM of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Union, NJ and New York . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.