Items filtered by date: November 2022

The development of corns on the feet can be an annoyance for a wide variety of individuals across the country. Typically this condition develops in response to the concentration of intense pressure or friction on the foot. The corn itself is made of thick skin. Importantly, there are steps that you might consider taking in caring for your corns. For example, wearing the correct kind of footwear can have a significant impact on the extent to which the corns are being taken care of. By wearing shoes that are ill-fitting, an individual can aggravate the corns. Instead, one might think about wearing shoes that provide the feet with sufficient space to move about in freely. Thus, by choosing to wear the right kind of shoes, a person can sufficiently guard against both the formation and aggravation of corns. If you think that you might have corns, contact a podiatrist today to learn more about what can be done to mitigate and treat the condition. 

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The foot condition known as gout can be potentially disabling, and completing daily activities is often difficult to do. It is considered to be a form of arthritis, and may target overweight men who are over 40 years old. Additionally, genetic factors and existing medical conditions, such as kidney disease, may contribute to developing gout. It can attack any of the toes, and generally begins in the big toe. It is an ailment that is caused by excess uric acid in the blood, which deposits in the joints of the toes in the form of crystals. Many people have said the pain can become so debilitating that it can be difficult to walk up the steps, and a lightweight sheet that is on top of the affected toe may cause excruciating pain. Gout attacks may be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. This can include reducing the intake of red meat, alcohol beverages, sugary drinks, and shellfish. Additionally, it is beneficial to incorporate a gentle exercise program into your daily routine, and this may help to shed additional weight. If you have had gout one time or frequently, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition, and offer you helpful prevention tips.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A stress fracture of the foot develops gradually, and the most common reason is from overuse. Each foot has 26 bones, and they endure the body’s weight. People who frequently run or participate in jumping activities may be prone to developing a stress fracture. It is considered to be a hairline fracture, and occurs at a weak point in the foot structure. Additional reasons why people may get stress fractures can consist of increasing speed and distance too quickly, or possibly from running on uneven surfaces. It is important to practice stretching techniques before running, and cooling down properly is essential. An X-ray is often taken which can provide a proper diagnosis. This is helpful in determining the severity of the fracture and is followed by treatment. Many patients use crutches to keep the weight off of the affected foot, which may help to accelerate the healing process. This can take up to eight weeks. If you are active in a particular sport and feel you may have a stress fracture, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. 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

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

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 feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cuboid syndrome is a condition of the foot that involves the cuboid bone. This bone is located on the outside of the foot and has a slightly cubical shape. If this bone moves out of alignment with the heel bone, this condition may develop. When determining how long it will take to recover from cuboid syndrome, it is important to consider several different relevant factors. Specifically, one’s recovery time from cuboid syndrome can depend on the duration of time in which the condition was present before treatment commenced. Additionally, recovery from cuboid syndrome can be influenced by the extent to which other injuries are present in the affected areas. One common injury includes ankle sprains. If such injuries are present, then recovery might last perhaps several weeks longer. Additionally, pain relief from cuboid syndrome often occurs within a few days. If you believe that you have cuboid syndrome, contact a podiatrist today.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Runners who run on tracks or other smooth surfaces may have the perfect shoes for that environment. However, if a runner switches to trail running, the old footwear may not fill the requirements. Running experts suggest that trail runners wear shoes that include extra protection against sharp objects and provide soles with extra grip. Lug patterns on the bottom of the sole may differ for runs on muddy or rugged terrain. A wide forefoot in the shoe is important for running long distances or for runners who have wide feet. The weight of the shoe is another factor that must be considered, depending on how far you plan to run. Having a padded collar and tongue can also cushion the feet and provide support. For more information on protecting your feet during a trail run, it might be a good idea to consult with a podiatrist. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.