General Podiatry Archives - Page 9 of 17 - Anderson Podiatry Center

General Podiatry Archives - Page 9 of 17 - Anderson Podiatry Center Anderson Podiatry Center

Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery may have better options. Read this!

Posted on February 23, 2022June 30, 2025 by admin

Put your best foot forward after reconstructive foot and ankle surgery

The purpose of reconstructive foot and ankle surgery is to restore normal function to the foot and ankle. It may also be needed to eliminate a painful condition and in some situations improve the cosmetics of the foot or ankle. Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery can be for soft tissues problems, structure problems and some conditions may be treated with minimally invasive techniques.

Soft tissue problems

Soft tissue foot reconstructive surgeries may include treatment for ganglions and fibromas. Ganglions can originate from a tendon sheath or from joint capsule. In some cases, the doctor may be able to aspirate the fluid out with a needle in an office setting but if the problem returns or the ganglion is large surgical excision may be the treatment of choice. This can help with the pain and cosmetically improve the look of the foot or ankle.

A fibroma may occur on the bottom of the foot is known as Ledderhose disease or plantar fibromatosis. Seldom is surgery to remove the mass necessary but in most cases the use of an injection with a specific enzyme to dissolve the growth can be very successful.

Warts can also be very unsightly and painful. In the past treatment options have included, excision, use of chemicals that destroy the wart or freezing. These are all destructive in nature, however, with the advancement of technology the use of microwave energy with the SWIFT® device is used. It is the preferred option because it helps the body’s immune system have a more aggressive response to the wart virus. The patients’ own immune system eliminates the wart! Treatment with the SWIFT® device is in the office and allows the patient to walk immediately with no down time.

Structural problems

The most common foot reconstructive surgeries may include bunions and hammertoes. Bunions usually require the use of pins, bone screws or plates to correct the alignment of the boney structure. View our patient testimonial from Kari on bunion surgery completed for both feet!

Hammertoe procedures may need a minimally invasive technique requiring a small incision to release a tendon that has become too tight or removal of a boney segment from the toe or fusion of one of the digital joints may be needed in more severe cases.

Hallux rigidus is also a painful foot complaint that results in a great toe joint that is stiffer and arthritic. Surgery may be needed to remove the unsightly boney growth from the top of the great toe joint and reposition the joint with the use of pins or bone screws. The result is pain-free motion and elimination of the bump. Flatfoot surgery may also be needed for a flatfoot that has been acquired as a birth defect or has progressed over a lifetime. Flatfoot reconstructive surgery may be as simple as using an implant in a joint beneath the ankle joint to block flattening of the arch or may involve procedures that require tendon lengthening’s with the use of bone grafts and even bone fusions in some situations. These procedures may require more recovery time.

Minimally invasive procedures

A very common complaint is heel pain. This is referred to as plantar fasciitis. When conservative measures fail two small incisions on either side of the heel are made and a scope is then inserted into the foot so that the fascial tissue can be released. This allows the fascia to be lengthened reducing its excessive pulling from the heel bone. Small incisions may also be used to help with ankle surgery. A scope is placed into the joint and the surgeon then then repair the damage if the joint is arthritic or has inflammatory tissue. Both procedures may require minimal recovery time with the patient ambulating soon after surgery.

Joint denervation surgery – Avoiding ankle replacement surgery!

This involves the blocking of pain signals to the brain by the resection of one or more nerve branches through small incisions just above the ankle joint. The nerves have no motor function therefore there is no resulting weakness after the procedure. Many of our patients are choosing this before considering procedures such as ankle replacement surgeries.

Yes, surgery may require significant recovery time. However, the good news is that with technology and surgical innovation you may have less recovery time needed than in the past. If you would like help considering all the options that are now available, please allow us to guide you through the decision process. You may be surprised that your condition can be addressed with minimally invasive technique or by non-surgical means.

Listen to how Steve avoided the layup and risks of joint fusion in this testimonial video.

View Patient Testimonial

No More Icky Fungal Nails! Consider Laser Toenail Treatment

Posted on February 10, 2022July 1, 2025 by admin

Toenail fungus is one of the most common foot complaints. For many it can be very embarrassing with yellow discoloration of the nails. The nails may also become thickened, crumbly and even painful and difficult to trim. At Anderson Podiatry center we have the most experience as we were the first to bring laser fungal nail treatment to the Rocky Mountain area.

Other treatment options may include.

Topicals

If you’ve tried these chances are you were very frustrated. Most patients, we treat have had multiple attempts using topicals for nail infection treatment with little or no success

Oral antifungals

Another option is the use of the oral medication Lamisil. However, it has liver toxicity so many patients are reluctant to use it and we seldom recommend it for this reason.

Laser nail treatment

This laser nail treatment is the option most of our patients prefer. Lasers destroy the toenail infection because it’s able to penetrate the nail bed where topicals just can’t penetrate. The heat created by the laser is what destroys the infection. The laser light pulses rapidly so there is little to no pain and no side effects. You can return to regular activities immediately.

Is laser toenail treatment effective? Here are some studies to back up its effectiveness.

Studies to back up high cure rates.

The following clinical studies show support and toenail laser treatments are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Here are some clinical trials /studies to show laser nail fungus treatment is effective.

A 2016 study by the FDA found that patients who received laser treatment displayed clear nails at three months and six months after treatment.
A 2019 study published in the journal American Family Physician by the American Association of Family Physicians found that after 180 days of toenail laser treatment, patients had a 30% cure rate and a 91% improvement in symptoms. This study also concluded that laser treatment is more effective for the treatment of toenail fungus than both over-the-counter and prescription topical and oral antifungal medications.
In 2018, the journal Lasers in Medical Science published a study about the success rate of laser nail treatment. These researchers reported a success rate of 83.7% among the patient population, who had infections that affected at least two-thirds of the nail.

So how does laser therapy work?

The laser nail treatment is painless although you may feel some warmth as the treatment is performed and if you do the technician will simply move the laser to another area of the nail. Also, if the nail is thickened it will be ground down, so it is much thinner allowing the laser to penetrate better. Thinning the nail is painless and patients appreciate the improved appearance after it is done. Many will start to see clearing of the nail which usually starts at the base as soon as 4-5 months. At 9 months you can expect to have maximum effect from a treatment as this is how long it takes for a nail to grow. The number of treatments that are needed can vary and your doctor will help you determine this.

Why choose Anderson Podiatry Center for laser toenail treatment?

We were the originators of this treatment option in the Rocky Mountain area. I think you’ll discover that our staff is well trained and yes, they are passionate about improving the looks of your nails. Please consider this option to maximize the chances of eliminating your icky toenails. We have two convenient locations when looking for ‘nail laser treatment near me’. Watch our patient testimonials and information videos on laser nail fungus treatment on youtube.

View Patient Testimonial

Laser Nail Treatment Device by PinPointe

Restless Legs Syndrome Has To Do With The Brain Right? Wrong! No It’s In The Legs Where You Feel It.

Posted on December 17, 2021June 30, 2025 by admin

Many of you have been led to believe that restless legs may have to do with dopamine a neurotransmitter in the brain, or your iron levels or magnesium levels. Yes this may have a role however from my experience, the experiences of my patients along with my research point another direction, THE LEGS! Yes where your symptoms are located and where the cause is are the same. For many the nerve tunnels in the lower extremity have become to tight. The symptoms of restlessness, cramping, jerking and creepy crawley sensations then begin.

For many that first learn this its like the lights turned on. Common comments are,

“this makes so much sense” and “I knew there had to be an answer”

Have you ever wondered why few doctors do a full examination of the nerves in the lower extremity.

Often your diagnosed with Restless legs by the symptoms you share with your doctor as that is the standard of care. You may be surprised to find how little research has been done evaluating the nerves in your legs regarding your Restless legs. Currently we have one peer reviewed study to back up what I’m saying. A second study with more rigorous data will soon be submitted for publication. When everyone’s searching for metabolic problems as the issue I’m saying consider it to be a mechanical issue from compression of nerve tunnels. This has been shown to be the root cause. You may also be wondering why is a podiatrist opening the door to this new pathway. I suspect most of what you read about restless legs is coming from the Neurologists. Why aren’t they talking about this? Most doctors have been poorly trained in the evaluation and treatment of the peripheral nerves in the lower extremity so the pathway to this discovery you may find interesting. Like so many revolutionary changes it took people on the outside looking in and saying “have we ever considered this?” Its an area of medicine that’s been ignored and it’s time that you consider the peripheral nerve tunnels in your legs as the problem.

To learn more you may want to consider reading my Amazon best seller book , A Perfect Nights Sleep. Also consider visiting my website, reviewing my research paper, or consider giving us a call .

Five Stages of Peripheral Neuropathy and How to Cure the Nerve Damage

Posted on December 14, 2021July 1, 2025 by admin

Have you heard these comments regarding peripheral neuropathy?

“The nerve fibers have disintegrated so they are permanently damaged, it’s irreversible.” “There is no cure.” Listening to this, you walk away from whichever doctor told you this and you say to yourself “Oh well, I guess the nerve damage is permanent and there is nothing I can do to change that.” Typically, if your neuropathy is severe, you may walk away from this healthcare encounter with a prescription of Lyrica, Gabapentin, or a Narcotic. In this blog we talk about your treatment options and the different stages of peripheral neuropathy.

Challenging what conventional medicine is telling you because it is false! It’s not true!

Aside from treatments aimed at reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake in your diet or looking at vitamin deficiencies; current medical treatment involves two options, however, there is a third option that very few of you hear about.

Option 1 -The problem is metabolic.

It may be from diabetes or if one is prediabetic. It could be from an autoimmune disease, alcoholism, thyroid condition, or an unknown cause. Therefore, the nerves are damaged and just don’t work well.

Option 2 – The problem starts in the back.

So the back needs to be addressed. Maybe, you see a chiropractor, get injections in your back, go through surgery on your back, or use nerve stimulators or pain pumps in your back.

Option 3 – The problem is mechanical and it is in the foot and legs.

To understand this option, we must look elsewhere at the upper extremities, hands, and arms. When burning, tingling and numbness occur, doctors are trained to consider nerve tunnels such as the carpel tunnel. They are looking for a mechanical problem. Could there be a tight nerve tunnel that is compressing the nerve, and if so surgery to open the nerve tunnel would be considered. This may occur in both diabetic and non-diabetic neuropathy. Our research provides objective evidence of this. (Ref, Anderson ¹, Yamasaki ²) The nerves can be damaged from metabolic processes but there’s another solution to fix the problem. Very few doctors have been trained to evaluate and treat nerve pathways in the lower extremities. So, surgical treatment must be considered in the five stages to save lives and limbs, especially when one has a diabetic condition. It may even have a positive effect on blood vessels. In the diabetic state, it is known that because of high sugar levels, the body produces a sugar by-product called sorbitol. This sugar will reside in the nerve tissue and will attract water to the nerve causing swelling. Now with a larger nerve, the nerve tunnels that the nerve branches pass through become tighter. (Ref D Lee; D Dauphinée, J. Jakobsen ³, J. Jakobsen ⁴. With this information in mind, it is ideal to consider surgical decompression to relieve pressure on the nerve.

So here are the stages of peripheral neuropathy and what to do

First Stage – In this stage of peripheral neuropathy, the symptoms of burning tingling, and numbness may be very inconsistent and sporadic. The intensity of the burning, tingling, and numbness in the feet or the legs comes and goes. At this stage, looking at the possibility of being prediabetic is important, and nutritional modifications may have a significant impact

Second Stage – The symptoms will now be getting more intense and frequent. Patients are more concerned and may be more likely to seek treatments. At this stage, nutrition considerations are still useful and consultation with a peripheral nerve specialist should be considered to address surgical or non-surgical options.

Third Stage – This is when the symptoms will peak. At this stage, the symptoms may be 24/7 and it may become difficult to sleep comfortably, and walking may be more difficult because of the pain. Many patients may consider medication such as Gabapentin or Lyrica or even pain medication or narcotics. At this stage, nutritional options will have less impact and the option for surgical decompression should be considered. When symptoms are the worst, surgery may be more impactful.

Fourth Stage – In this stage, the severity of the pain and burning may decrease, and walking may now be affected by numbness and weakness. With balance and reflexes being affected, concerns about using a cane or walker are common. In diabetics, the risk of an amputation starts to go up. At this stage, nutritional options do not help that much, and surgical options may still be considered. Now the risk of amputation in the diabetic becomes more real.

Fifth Stage – At the final stage, the nerve is very damaged and there is little pain. The feet will be number and weaker. Walking becomes more challenging and in diabetics, the risk of amputation is more common. This is the stage of peripheral neuropathy where amputations are most likely to occur. Surgery may still be entertained, but it may not be as effective as if it had been performed in stage three or four.

In summary, consider the following when dealing with different stages peripheral neuropathy

Get treatment early to know if you have neuropathy in early stages one and two. Addressing it nutritionally may also have more impact. For most types of neuropathies, you should be evaluated for nerve compression by stages two or three. Especially in diabetics, at the stage where you’re contemplating medication, nerve decompression surgery should be considered. Rather than being medicated through the most painful stages of peripheral neuropathy, patients may want to consider the surgical option of treatment to maximize potential reversal of nerve damage. Waiting till stages four or five may limit the potential improvement gained by surgical decompression. By addressing stages two and three the potential to avoid amputation, limb loss, and possible death could be reduced in diabetics. In summary, as more patients are learning about nerve compression in the lower extremity, the health risks can be eliminated especially in those suffering from diabetic neuropathy.

Anderson JC, Nickerson DS, Tracy BL, Paxton RJ, Yamasaki DS. Acute Improvement in Intraoperative EMG Following Common Fibular Nerve Decompression in Patients with Symptomatic Diabetic Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy: 1. EMG Results. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2017 Sep;78(5):419-430. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1593958. Epub 2016 Dec 30. PMID: 28038479. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28038479/
Yamasaki DS, Nickerson DS, Anderson JC. Acute Improvement in Intraoperative EMG During Common Fibular Nerve Decompression in Patients with Symptomatic Diabetic Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy: EMG and Clinical Attribute Interrelations. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2020 Nov;81(6):484-494. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1701619. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32455446. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32455446/
Lee, D., & Dauphinée Damien M. (2005, September 1). Morphological and functional changes in the diabetic peripheral nerve using diagnostic ultrasound and neurosensory testing to select candidates for nerve decompression. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. https://meridian.allenpress.com/japma/article-abstract/95/5/433/156230/Morphological-and-Functional-Changes-in-the
Jakobsen, J. (1978, February 1). Peripheral nerves in early experimental diabetes – diabetologia. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01263449

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Stages of Peripheral Neuropathy

What is neuropathy and what are its symptoms?
Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, involves damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and pain typically in the hands and feet.
What causes neuropathy?
Various factors can cause neuropathy including diabetes, chemotherapy, certain infections, and physical injuries. Each type has its own specific causes and risk factors.
Are there different types of neuropathy?
Yes, there are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, each characterized by the specific nerve types involved and the symptoms presented.
How is neuropathy treated?
While there is no cure for neuropathy, treatments are available that focus on managing symptoms and underlying conditions. These can include medications, physical therapy, and in certain cases, surgical options like nerve decompression surgery.
What are the long-term impacts of neuropathy?
Neuropathy can be a chronic condition with symptoms that vary in severity. Long-term impacts might include persistent pain, increased sensitivity to touch, and potential mobility issues due to muscle weakness or coordination problems.

Do feet get bigger as we age?

Posted on October 21, 2021 by admin

What can cause your feet to get bigger and what can you do about it?

Why Are Your Feet Getting Bigger?

You may have noticed, especially as you’re getting older, that your feet are getting bigger. The shoes that used to fit you no longer are adequate and you find yourself shopping for shoes that may be wider or longer. Why is this? There are multiple reasons but for this blog, I’ve narrowed it down to five.

Mileage on your feet

The mileage of walking all your life or running on your feet has a lot to do with this. The simple act of the thousands of steps we take daily has an impact. With each step two to three times your body weight comes down on your feet. The ligaments that hold and maintain the arch tend to get stretched over time and this will allow the arch to flatten and possibly the foot to get wider.

Obesity

Having additional weight on your feet can also contribute to them becoming bigger. With additional weight, the foot may splay apart and widen and the ligaments that support the arch get stretched so the foot lengthens. It’s also been noted that the average shoe size for men and women has increased from years ago and this may be due to increased obesity in the general population. So, a size 13 shoe for a man may be closer to an average size now than it was years ago.

Foot Deformities

Foot deformities are also something that may be impacting you. For example, a bunion deformity, where there’s a bump by the big toe joint and the first toe may be deviating towards the second toe will make your foot wider. Also, on the opposite side of the foot, you may have what’s referred to as a bunionette or tailor’s bunion. This will cause a prominence on the outer side of the foot by the small toe. If these deformities progress over your lifetime it’s going to make your foot wider.

Diseases That You May Have

This would include people that have rheumatoid arthritis or maybe diabetes where the foot might break down and lead to a longer or wider foot. The joints and ligaments of the foot can be negatively affected by both of these.

Pregnancy

With pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin aids in relaxing the birth canal in preparation for the delivery. This can also cause the ligaments in the foot to become more flexible and can cause the arch to flatten and the foot to get wider. Also, the weight gain associated with pregnancy can contribute.

What Can Be Done to Correct This?

More support for your feet

One of the most basic things would be to use arch supports or custom-made orthotics that you can get from a podiatrist. By doing this, it creates more support for the foot and there may be less impact of your body weight on the foot that would lead to the foot lengthening or getting wider. You may also consider wearing shoes that are more supportive.

Control your weight

Weight gain has a big impact on how flat your feet may get. The larger your body, the more impact that this will have on the progression of a longer and wider foot. Anything that helps you to maintain your weight is a good idea.

So don’t be surprised as you get older if your feet are getting bigger. There’s really nothing to worry about as this is a normal part of aging, but do consider the suggestions in this blog that may slow down the progression.

Athlete’s Foot Treatment: Nine things to do before you call your doctor

Posted on September 17, 2021June 30, 2025 by admin

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athletes’ foot, is caused by fungus. It is one of the most common skin conditions of the foot and can be very infuriating. It can present with severe itching, burning or stinging sensations. This same fungus can also cause jock itch or ringworm. The affected areas include the bottom of the foot more than on the top of the foot, and often can be present in between the toes. If it is seen on the skin, then there’s a good chance it may also be on the nails – which can result in yellow, discolored nails. Sometimes, the nails are brittle or thickened and can cause a lot of pain if they become too deformed. This condition is called onychomycosis.

So, what causes fungus?

The environment that fungus prefers and thrives in is a warm, dark moist place – typically, it is common for our feet to be in this environment as we may spend a lot of time wearing shoes. This can be contagious, so it’s important to know that you can get fungus either from dirty showers or maybe public pools. It’s a good idea to wear sandals in areas like this.

If your immune system is affected by other medical problems, such as diabetes or an auto-immune disease, you may be more susceptible to fungus because your body cannot fight off the fungus.

What are some things that you can do?

Take your shoes off. Since fungus likes a warm, moist place; it may be a good idea to take your shoes and socks off as soon as you get home. Walking barefoot at home will allow the feet to breathe.
Change your shoes on a regular basis, possibly alternating every other day. You may also want to spray your shoes with an anti-fungal spray before use.
When you wash your clothes, make sure your socks are washed in water that’s over 140 degrees as this will also help destroy the fungus that may be in your socks.
Make sure you wear socks that breathe. Socks that have rayon in them are thought to pick up moisture best.
Keep your feet clean. It’s important to reach down while showering and clean your feet.
Avoid contact with surfaces in public areas that might have fungus on them.
You may also try tea tree oil. Studies have shown that tea tree oil may be effective.
Another home remedy is to use a foot soak with tea. Try soaking your feet in a half gallon of water with three or four teabags. This is especially important if your feet perspire excessively. Tea has tannic acid in it which is a good drying agent, and the soaking will dry up your sweat ducts. Doing this for 15 minutes, three times a week in combination with an over-the-counter antifungal cream works wonders.
Consider purchasing over-the-counter products. When you’re using these, it’s important that you use them for up to one month. If after three weeks, you find that they’re not helping, you may need to switch to another type of medication and seek medical attention from a specialist to make sure that you’re dealing with an athlete’s foot properly.It takes four to five weeks for your skin to become all new skin. So, it makes sense that you should use these for that length of time to see if they help. These over-the-counter products include.

- Micatin
- Lotrimin
- And Tinatin

It is recommended that you apply these creams to the affected area of your feet twice a day.

Oral medication is also an option. The most popular medication for this is called Lamisil. Lamisil, although it can be highly effective – it has to be taken carefully and usually doctors will do a liver panel beforehand to make sure that your liver is healthy, as this can have a negative effect on your liver.

So, if you’re finding yourself with burning, itchy feet and a rash, make sure that you seek medical attention immediately. In many cases, the visits to the doctor can be avoided with a little bit better education as to what to do on your own. We hope these tips help you with athlete’s foot, however, Anderson Podiatry Center is just a call away when you need to attend to you foot and ankle needs. Our clinics are conveniently located in Fort Collins and Broomfield and are the only full-service foot care center in the tri-state area of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

On the radio with Dr. James Anderson

Posted on August 12, 2021June 30, 2025 by admin

Hear from your local podiatrist Dr. James Anderson in this candid interview on 93.5 Oldies radio.

In this candid interview with Dr. James Anderson, your local foot doctor talks about his decision to become a podiatrist. The importance of feet in daily life and the high success rate drove Dr. Anderson to choose podiatry as his line of work. Anderson Podiatry Center has two locations, in Fort Collins and Broomfield, which provides patients easy access.

With 40 years of being in business, Anderson Podiatry Center has a great reputation and a lot of experience in various foot ailments. From the most common ailments of plantar facilities to the latest in regenerative medicine using stem cells, Anderson Podiatry provides full-service foot care.

Dr. Anderson is known across North America for his published work and book on Restless Leg Syndrome by opening nerve tunnels or nerve decompression.

Big Toe Joint Pain Explained: What’s Causing It and How to Find Relief

Posted on July 23, 2021June 30, 2025 by admin

Big toe joint pain can be one of the most frustrating foot complaints. It is simply because the great toe joint has a very important function for normal walking. Arguably, it is probably one of the most important joints in the foot and ankle. A lot of your body weight rolls over it as your body propels forward. Therefore, any pain or limited range of motion in this joint makes it difficult to engage in activities. You may compensate so much that you will have pain elsewhere such as the heel or Achilles’ tendon. You may also have a lot of pain first thing in the morning when you get up. It may be difficult to wear shoes that have any type of heel because there is more pain when the toe is forced to move up. You may also have a painful enlargement on the top of the joint that causes pain when shoes rub it.

Big Toe Joint Basics

Much like the kneecap, the patella, the big toe joint has two sesamoid bones. These bones sit underneath the big toe joint. They are oval-shaped bony structures with muscles and tendons attached to them. They help increase strength so that we have more power to push off the toe. Similar to how the knee cap functions for the knee joint. The big toe joint should have a lot of range of motion, approximately sixty degrees upward off the walking surface. When the joint becomes damaged, and range of motion is reduced significantly pain results along with an altered gait.

Causes for Toe Joint Pain

Foot type(biomechanics) – For many, it is biomechanics. People can have a foot type that allows them to walk a certain way, and because of their improper foot mechanics, the great toe joint starts to jam. This can take place over many years so by the time you reach middle age the range of motion in the joint could be dramatically reduced. Along with this, there can be a spur on the top of the great toe that will make the knuckle look exceptionally large. The name commonly used to describe this condition is Hallux rigidus or Hallux limitus. Both describe that the Hallux (big toe) has limited motion. What is going on inside is that joint cartilage is starting to wear down because of this jamming effect. Therefore, you are getting the degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) along with this. Understand that just because you are getting osteoarthritis in the toe does not mean you’re going to get it in other joints because this common condition is based upon foot mechanics.
Sesamoiditis – You may also find that you have pain not throughout the joint, but rather just on the bottom of the big toe. This could very easily be caused by irritation to the sesamoid bones. This can happen from damage to the sesamoid bones. This could be from excessive weight-bearing beneath the big toe for long periods or from trauma. Or with an injury, the sesamoid bones could be fractured.
Trauma – Trauma can also cause pain in the great toe joint. It could be trauma from the toe getting jammed, and therefore cartilage inside the joint is damaged and this could result in long-term pain that eventually leads to more long-term arthritis because the cartilage has now been damaged. As I mentioned before, you can also get sesamoid pain from trauma to the great toe joint.
Arthritis – Patients can have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis that’s caused by autoimmune disease. This can also affect a great toe joint. This is usually also going to affect other joints in the hands and the feet.
Gout – The big toe is commonly affected by gout. The toe will become very warm and red. Gout can be very painful. It is commonly treated by certain types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or medication to lower uric acid in the blood which when elevated puts you at risk for gout.

Treatments for Toe Joint Pain

Treatments can vary from simply using medication such as anti-inflammatory medication, different shoe gear, possibly orthotic devices in the shoe gear, or surgery. First, let us talk about shoe gear. If you find that your toe doesn’t want to move very much, you may need to consider a shoe that doesn’t flex as much. Stiff-soled shoes are sometimes helpful. If you’re a lady, you must avoid heels. If you find that you have a knuckle on the top of the toe that’s sticking up, you also may need to avoid a shoe that rubs against this knuckle area, as this could also cause pain. If you have pain underneath the big toe, as we spoke about before with sesamoiditis pain, you may find that you need to wear a shoe that has quite a bit of support or some cushioning underneath the great toe, so that you’re not impacting the sesamoid bones as much.

Medication

Whether you have just generalized wear and tear on the great toe joint, which we call hallux limitus or hallux rigidus, or if you have a more complicated issue with an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, oftentimes anti-inflammatory drugs or special drugs for an autoimmune disease may be prescribed.

It’s my opinion that long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen are not good for the health of the joint and should be used sparingly. However, if you are suffering from an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis following your doctor’s recommended medication is important advice.

Orthotic Devices

Orthotics are especially useful to help with the reduction of the progression of hallux limitus, and also with the pain, especially in the early phases of hallux limits. You will also find that orthotics are excellent for the treatment of sesamoid pain underneath the big toe joint. If your shoes are not helping enough you need to consider orthotic devices.

Regenerative Therapeutics

Delaying or avoiding surgery!! Currently, as we’ve been using regenerative therapeutics for many years for problems such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon pain it’s also been useful to eliminate joint pain not only in the great toe and ankle but other joints of the foot. We originally started with PRP( platelet enriched plasma) and more currently use umbilical cord or placenta cell products. This technique has been extremely useful to delay or avoid surgical treatments.

Surgery

Surgery for hallux limitus could be as involved as a fusion of the great toe joint or the use of an artificial great toe joint. But in most cases, the surgery that is used is simply to remove the spurring on the top of the great toe that is causing the jamming; and in some cases, repositioning the joint will help it move more freely. These can be quite successful.

In conclusion, if you have great toe joint pain, don’t put up with it for long. It is a very difficult problem to live with – especially if you’re always having to favor your great toe joint or find it difficult to wear certain shoes. It’s best to treat it early because the measures that we take at Anderson Podiatry Center are proactive and we will do our best to avoid surgery for your toe joint pain.

Diabetic Foot Care: Important Steps to Follow.

Posted on July 7, 2021 by admin

Do you have questions about diabetic foot care? Read this to know more!

Diabetes can be profoundly serious for your feet. In this blog, I will explain what you need to know about diabetic foot care. But before we get started on a list of things to keep in mind, it’s important to remember three basic principles about your feet. Understanding the following will give you better clarity regarding your diabetic feet and what’s important to consider.

Three ways diabetes affects your feet.

The nervous system – If you have diabetes there is a 50-70 percent chance you will have neuropathy. Diabetes can cause nerve damage especially in the feet and lower extremity. This will result in the symptoms of burning tingling and numbness in the feet. Because of numbness problems such corns and calluses may not be felt. At first the idea of numbness in the feet may not seem that bad because it might prevent you from feeling pain but that’s where the problem lies. This prevents the warning signs of pain that can be associated with an ingrown nail, a cut or blister. Quite common and serious issues occur with callouses on the bottom of the foot. With no pain the callous may eventually break down the skin causing an ulcer. Once the skin has broken open from the ulcer an infection is likely, and this can eventually get into bone. Once this occurs an amputation is more likely,so without the nervous system giving a warning in the form of pain problems such as corns, calluses, blisters and ingrown nails become more serious.
Circulatory system – It’s also known with diabetes that you have a higher propensity to have decreased blood flow to the lower extremity, especially the feet. When this happens, if there is any kind of cut or problem with the foot it may be harder to heal properly. It should also be emphasized that smoking combined with diabetes should be avoided. There is a many fold increase of circulatory complications with people who smoke. If a toe is injured with a cut and develops an ulceration, a dark area of the skin in this area could be an indication of gangrene and should be evaluated immediately.
Foot Deformities – Any type of foot problems such as a bunion or a hammer toe can create any irritation where the bony prominence will rub against shoe gear. This too can cause a problem because this can lead to a breakdown in the skin in the form of a callous or a corn that can eventually cause a foot ulcer. Properly fitted shoes are especially important. If the deformity is severe and difficult to accommodate in shoe gear, surgical correction may be considered by the podiatrist after appropriate workup, to ensure adequate blood flow is present for healing. Better to correct earlier then later in some situations as the circulation could become compromised enough later in the life to where surgery would be too risky.

General guidelines to follow

By following these tips, you can do a lot to take better care of your diabetic feet.

Be sure that you bathe your feet daily. Be careful to dry your feet especially between the toes after you are done.
It’s a good idea to inspect your feet every day. You may need to use a mirror to look throughout the foot on the top and on the bottom. Also in between the toes for any types of cracks or cuts that may be there.
Make sure to avoid walking barefoot. This is obviously a problem if you step on a foreign body or a cut.
Make sure that you test water with your hand before putting your foot in warm water such as a hot tub or a bath.
Use appropriate shoe gear and socks.
Make sure that you attributed nails and not dig in on the sides. Try to cut them somewhat straight across as if you don’t this could cause an ingrown nail.
Make sure that you control your diabetes well by controlling your blood sugar levels.
Make sure that you see your podiatrist on a regular basis. Some will recommend coming in every two to four months just for a general foot inspection.
With diabetes your feet may become drier, and this can cause cracking of the skin. So be sure to keep your skin moisturized.
Make sure that you have your foot checked by a professional, especially if you are getting a corn or a callus that could be problematic and painful.
Never treat corn and calluses yourself. Over the counter products that are sold frequently have acids in them that eat away at the corn or callus. This is too risky to use in the diabetic foot.
Wear socks to bed if your feet are cold at night.

Diet Tips

To stop or delay nerve damage avoid carbohydrates and sugars. Make sure to have a diet that includes vegetables, fruits and protein. Also, a diet that includes fat is important as nerves need fat for proper function. Make sure it’s healthy fat such as grass-fed butter. A daily habit I have is to add grass fed butter to my coffee along with cinnamon. This avoids unhealthy additions to the coffee such as sugar or artificial creamers. The fat also satisfies your hunger so that you’re less likely to want to eat. A great book to use as a reference is Sugar Crush written by a colleague of mine Dr. Richard Jacoby.

Following these general guidelines should help you protect your feet from a dangerous situation that could occur when you have diabetes. Educating yourself is key when you want to prevent any serious problems.

Achilles Tendon Heel Pain: How to Avoid it and What are Your Best Treatment Options.

Posted on June 23, 2021June 30, 2025 by admin

Treating the root of the problem for an achilles tendon injury

The Achilles tendon originates from the large calf muscles in the back of the lower leg and attaches to the back of the heel bone. Its function is to push your heel up off the ground and to propel you forward. Pain can occur along the tendon, that band of tissue just below the calf muscle, or where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. The pain can be very disabling, not allowing you to walk or run anymore and or do other activities. It may limit the range of motion in your ankle because of the pain. You may also notice swelling of the tendon associated with your pain. If the back of the heel bone appears enlarged, it may be from the Achilles tendon. So even though a heel spur or boney growth on the back of the heel may be noted it is now thought that in many cases the pain is from the tendon. These problems are referred to as a Haglund’s deformity or a retrocalcaneal spur. This goes against much of conventional medicine as our approach but the high success rate of our treatments for an achilles tendon injury that are directed at treating the tendon and not the bone prove otherwise.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of achilles tendon injury and heel pain is usually made by the doctor’s clinical exam. However, diagnostic ultrasound or MRI may also be used for a more accurate evaluation.

Causes

Overuse – This is a common cause for injuries sustained to the achilles tendon. If you overdo it without gradually increasing the activity so your body has time to recover this can be a problem.
Types of activities – Some activities may make you more susceptible to achilles injury and heel pain. This would include running up and down hills, or any activity where impact or jumping is involved.
Age – As we get older it is thought that the tendon can become weaker. When this happens the tendon gradually starts breaking down.
Foot type – Improper foot structure and biomechanics may also play a role. An example is a foot that over pronates, flattens, which may cause more pulling on the tendon. A high arch foot may allow the heel bone to rub against the Achilles tendon.
Weight – Excessive weight can put excessive load and stress on the tendon.

Prevention

Shoe gear – Avoid wearing shoes when your active that are broken down. The lack of support may lead to heel pain or Achilles’ tendonitis.
Heel lifts – If your just beginning to experience pain using a heel lift can take some of the stress off the tendon.
Changing activities – Consider backing off activities or changing the activity to one that puts less demand on the tendon.
Stretching – This may also be important both before and especially after activity.
Anti-inflammatories – taking anti-inflammatories short term may also be useful but long-term use should be avoided as they may have a negative effect on your bodies natural healing processes.

Treatments

Treatments that your doctor may recommend can include resting the area and sometimes immobilizing the area in a walking boot. Physical therapy along with heel pain stretches may also be considered. Also, anti-inflammatories may also be suggested. These treatments can work in the early stages but if the problem is more severe or chronic maybe band aid approaches.

The top four treatments we offer that get at the root cause of the problem. It may not be tendonitis!

Regenerative medicine – new terminology Achilles TENDONOSIS
The use of stem cell treatments for over the past decade have proven to be phenomenally successful. The new way of thinking about the Achilles tendon and heel pain is that the problem has more to do with the tendon breaking down and having small, microscopic tears then being inflamed. This is called tendinosis. That is why the use of regenerative medicine make more sense. It’s used to repair damaged tissue rather than treat inflammation which may not be present.
Orthotics – The myth of the tight Achilles tendon
Orthotics are commonly used and have a high success rate, why? We know that with every step you take your heel bone rolls from side to side. This motion is thought to put more pulling on the tendon along its length and where it attaches to the heel bone. A custom made orthotic greatly reduces this motion and often eliminates the problem. This goes against the conventional thought. Yes, the pain can be from a tight Achilles but from our experience its less likely than previously thought.
Shockwave – Shockwave is also a treatment that has been successful. Shockwave is similar lithotripsy where sound waves are used to break up kidney stones. This type of treatment sends powerful sound waves in the Achilles tendon area and traumatizes the tendon, but this stimulates your body to send more cellular components to the area that help repair the tendon. This has also shown quite significant relief for patients with this issue.
Accelerated Laser Pain Therapy – Laser works on a cellular level helping the mitochondria of the tendon tissue repair the tendon. The mitochondria is the area of each cell that creates energy and is responsible for cellular repair.

If the above options fail, surgery may be considered to treat the injury.

Surgery can also be effective but is exceedingly rare as the approach we with orthotics, regenerative medicine, shockwave and laser as options is highly successful at getting you back to full activity.

So if you find yourself dealing with this, understand that you can start out by treating on your own by the suggestions offered in this blog. But the longer this goes on, it’s more important to seek professional attention to ensure that you’re having this treated aggressively. There is a solution for your Achilles tendon heel pain. It’s important that you have consultation with somebody that is proficient providing the treatments we’ve recommended for injuries of this type. If your getting nowhere and feeling frustrated with your present situation please feel free to contact and we’ll help you to evaluate if our approach is appropriate for you.