Have your feet inspected by a professional before starting a new sport or physical activity. Taking charge of your foot health will keep you in good physical condition and can help you avoid a potential injury, such as a fracture or sprained ankle.
Prevent injuries and see a foot specialist.
Ingrown toenails are a common foot condition in which the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. This often affects the big toe and can lead to pain, redness, and swelling. Causes include improper nail trimming, wearing tight fitting shoes, and genetic nail shape. When pressure forces the nail into the skin, irritation and inflammation develop, which may progress to infection if left untreated. This condition is frequently seen in individuals who wear narrow shoes or participate in activities that stress the toes.
Symptoms of ingrown toenails include tenderness along the nail border, swelling, and localized warmth. As the condition worsens, drainage, infection, and increased pain may occur. Risk factors include poor foot hygiene, curved nails, and excessive sweating. Individuals with diabetes or circulation issues may face a higher risk of complications. Early management can often relieve symptoms, but advanced cases may require surgical intervention to correct the problem.
Surgery becomes necessary when conservative treatments fail or when infection persists. Nail avulsion involves removing part or all of the nail to relieve pressure and allow healing. Wedge excision removes a portion of the nail and surrounding tissue to prevent recurrence and nail-bed ablation targets the growth center of the nail to stop regrowth in severe cases. Additionally, the Zadek procedure is a more advanced technique that removes the nail matrix entirely, providing a long-term solution for chronic conditions.
Proper treatment can restore comfort and prevent recurring issues. Wearing well-fitted shoes, maintaining good nail care, and addressing symptoms early can reduce risk. Surgical options are safe and effective when performed by a podiatrist. If you have an ingrown toenail that needs surgery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions, which may include minor surgery.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Darron Barrus, DPM of Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Tiny cracks in the bones of the foot can develop from repeated strain rather than a single sudden injury, often causing discomfort that gradually worsens with movement. Because symptoms may begin subtly, diagnosis is not always straightforward, especially when early testing does not clearly show the problem. A podiatrist will consider symptom history, physical examination findings, activity patterns, foot structure, and overall health factors that may affect bone strength. When discomfort continues despite an unclear initial evaluation, more detailed scanning may be used to identify the source of pain. Treatment depends on which bone is affected and how severe the injury appears. Many cases require protecting the foot with supportive devices that limit motion while healing takes place. Temporary changes in physical activity are often necessary to prevent the injury from worsening. Early diagnosis can help avoid longer recovery times or more serious complications. If foot pain continues to worsen with activity, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Darron Barrus, DPM from Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.
How Are They Caused?
Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon. Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.
Risk Factors
Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, develops when the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood become narrowed by fatty deposits called plaque. As blood flow decreases, the feet and legs receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients. This can cause pain, slow healing, and changes in skin health. Smoking is a leading risk factor, although diabetes, increasing age, and high cholesterol may also contribute. Symptoms include cramping in the calves while walking, numbness, or feet that look pale or slightly bluish. Small cuts or sores can heal very slowly because healthy circulation is limited. Since these symptoms can resemble other foot problems, a careful evaluation by a podiatrist is important to identify the true cause.
A podiatrist plays an important role in recognizing signs of PAD before serious complications develop. The examination includes checking the skin, nails, temperature, and pulses in the feet. It also includes asking questions about pain while walking and changes in activity. Diagnostic testing can measure blood flow and help determine whether narrowed arteries are affecting the feet. Early diagnosis helps protect foot health and lowers the risk of severe tissue damage. In advanced cases, poor circulation can increase the chance of infection, open wounds, or loss of tissue. A podiatrist can coordinate care with other healthcare providers when circulation problems require additional evaluation.
Regular foot examinations are especially important for people with PAD because reduced blood flow makes even minor foot problems more difficult to heal. A podiatrist can monitor changes in circulation, treat foot wounds, and reduce pressure on affected areas. These measures can help prevent complications that threaten mobility. Professional podiatric care also helps identify warning signs before they become more serious. Prompt attention to pain, skin changes, or slow-healing sores can protect the feet and support better long-term health. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease that affect your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and management solutions.
Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Darron Barrus, DPM from Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PAD include:
It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.
Diagnosis
While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.
Treatment
Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Plantar warts are growths that develop on the bottom of the foot after the skin becomes infected with the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This is a virus that enters through tiny breaks in the skin. These warts usually appear on weight-bearing areas like the heel or the ball of the foot, where pressure pushes them inward instead of outward. As a result, walking can become painful, and some people feel like they are stepping on a small pebble. Plantar warts can appear alone or in groups. They also have tiny black dots that are small, clotted blood vessels. A podiatrist can examine the affected area and determine whether the growth is a plantar wart or another foot condition.
Several factors increase the chance of developing plantar warts. Walking barefoot in public places, like locker rooms or swimming pool areas, raises the risk of exposure to the virus. Children, teenagers, and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop these warts. The location of a plantar wart can change the way a person walks, which sometimes leads to discomfort in other parts of the foot. A podiatrist performs a thorough examination and can diagnose plantar warts by their appearance and location. In some cases, additional testing helps confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions.
Treatment depends on the size, location, and number of plantar warts. A podiatrist can remove layers of the wart, apply prescription-strength medications, or use freezing treatments to destroy the infected tissue. Some patients benefit from laser treatment or another advanced procedure for stubborn warts. Surgery is recommended in certain cases when other treatments do not provide enough improvement. Prompt treatment helps reduce pain, improve comfort while walking, and lower the chance of the wart spreading to nearby skin. If you have developed one or more plantar warts, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Darron Barrus, DPM from Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
Treatment
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Connect With Us
