If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

  Gout is an acute arthritic disease which causes a sudden onset of intense pain usually in the big toe joint.  The  ”attack”(as it is called) commonly starts overnight with intense pain, localized heat and swelling around the big toe.  Gout is caused by the deposit of crystals composed of uric acid in the joint of the body.  Other joints may suffer attacks of gout but the big toe joint is the most common.  Uric acid is a breakdown product of protein metabolism by the body.  Foods high in amino acids called purines and pyrimidines are broken down into uric acid in the blood.  When the level of uric acid becomes too concentrated in the blood it starts to “settle out” in crystal form.  When these crystal deposit in the joint it starts a dramatic inflammatory response by the immune system. How is gout diagnosed? Gout may be diagnosed by a combination of clinical history and exam, blood tests, diagnostic imaging, or joint fluid analysis. Who gets gout? Gout affects men six times more frequently than women.People who have a diet high in foods that contain purines and pyrimidines.  These are red meat, organ meats, shellfish, sardines, and red wine are a few examples.Alcohol consumption can cause gout due to its diuretic(increase in urination) effect which ups the concentration of uric acid.Diuretics(water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix) also can increase the possibility of gout. Is gout dangerous?Repeated attacks or untreated cases can lead to permanent joint destruction with subsequent osteoarthritis.Gout can lead to kidney stone formation also.

Many of our patients are affected by rough skin around the rim of the heel that cracks or splits.  They can form into heel “fissures”(painful splits that bleed) if severe enough.  The condition is usually worse in the winter when the humidity is lower.  If you suffer from cracked heels here are some do’s and don’ts: -Do wear shoes that cup the bottom of the heel and have a heel counter(where the shoe encloses the back of the heel)-Don’t wear flip flops or backless shoes that allow friction on the skin.  -Do apply a moisturizing cream such as Eucerin or Lubriderm twice daily-Don’t use ointments such as Neosporin or Vaseline(they don’t hydrate the skin)-Lose weight-obesity is common in this condition due to the increased flattening of the natural heel fat pad.-Limit wearing nylon hosiery in the winter.-Do see a podiatrist to see if you have underlying athlete’s foot or eczema. A podiatrist may prescribe a heel insert or orthotic for your heel to cup the fat pad.  The heel fissures may have to be debrided(pared down) and you may require stronger hydrating creams which are by prescription only.

Corns are formations of hard skin that form over bony prominences due to repeated forces of friction and pressure.  They are simply a formed by proliferation of the stratum corneum which is the top or outside layer of the skin.  Corns are usually hard except for corns that occur between the toes.  The corns between the toes stay moist in the web space and as a result are softer and spongier.  They usually occur in the web space near the baby toe or between the big toe and the second toe when  two toes touch and rub together.  It is more common in flatfeet due to toe misalignment or in individuals that wear stylish narrow toe boxed shoes.These corns usually give a painful burning sensation.Home therapy should includes foot powders to keep the web space dry, this will cut down on the burning. Avoid vaseline or ointments between the toes as these increase the rubbing and pain.One may also place cotton or lamb’s wool between the toes or store bought corn pads.A podiatrist can evaluate your soft corn(Heloma molle) by determining what causes the toes to rub. Is it shoes, foot position in gait, or misalignment of the toes themselves(bunions, hammertoes).The corns are removed by simple paring.  The corns will quickly return in most cases if shoes are not the culprit.  Definitive treatment may include altering the bone structure with surgery which may be done with a minimal incision surgery(osteotripsy) or traditional surgery on the toe (arthroplasty).  In cases where the big toe is too close to the second toe a bunion correction surgery may be indicated.

Toenail discoloration commonly comes from a previous injury or the color change could be due to a fungus. The only way to detrmine if it is a fungus is to have a culture taken. The results are usually back within a month.

Fungus nail infections are NOT contagious but may be uncomfortable and unsightly. Treatment is oral medication for three months. This medication is very safe, unlike medications used in the past.

It is VERY rare when topical medications cure a nail fungus. Other “old wive’s tales” include vinegar and other household products. These do NOT work and frequently cause skin irritation.

Diagnosis for treatment should be made by a professional.

Welcome to the PodiatryAffiliates.com blog. Here you will find the latest in podatric news, helpful tips and useful information to keep you informed — and to help you better care for one of your most vital organs - your feet!

 As your partner in helping to ensure the long-term health of your feet, we’ll provide timely and useful information to help you, our site visitors and clients. Check back often for useful information from the podiatrists at Podiatry Affiliates!