Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetic Foot Care

Treating diabetes requires a team approach. A podiatrist is an integral part of the treatment team. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a podiatrist to help you manage the disease.

Category: Diabetic Foot Care

Foot conditions

Although they may develop on the fifth (little) toe, bunions usually occur at the base of the big toe. Bunions are often caused by incorrect foot mechanics. The foot may flatten too much, forcing the toe joint to move beyond normal range. In some cases, joint damage caused by arthritis or an injury produces a bunion.

Category: Foot conditions

A neuroma is a painful growth of nerve tissue in the foot, most often between the third and fourth toe bones. It forms when bones in the feet press together and irritate a nerve. This may be caused by wearing tight or poorly fitted shoes, or by repeated stress on the foot.

Category: Foot conditions

A wart is an infection caused by a virus which can invade your skin through small cuts or breaks. Over time the wart develops into a hard, rough growth on the surface of the skin. A wart is most commonly seen on the bottom of the foot (plantar wart), but can also appear on the top.

Category: Foot conditions

Force or friction against the bottom of your foot causes the skin to thicken, forming a callus. If the skin keeps thickening the callus presses up into the foot. This kills healthy tissue and causes pain.

Category: Foot conditions

Hammer Toes

In general, the term “hammer toe” describes a buckling of any of the toe joints. Joints at the end or middle of the toe, as well as the joint near the ball of the foot, may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a muscle imbalance or tight tendons. Hammer toes vary in severity and in the number of joints and toes involved.

Types of hammer toes

Hammer toes may be flexible or rigid, depending on the joint’s ability to move. A flexible joint may become more rigid as you age.

A flexible joint
You can straighten a flexible hammer toe with your fingers. Although they look painful, flexible hammer toes may not hurt.

A rigid joint
A rigid hammer toe cannot be moved, even with the fingers. Rigid joints may cause pain and distort foot movement. This may put extra stress on the ball of the foot, causing a callus (a corn on the bottom of the foot).

If you believe you have hammer toes call us to schedule an appointment.

Category: Hammer Toes

Heel Pain

The plantar fascia is a ligament-like band running from your heel to the ball of your foot. This band pulls on the heel bone, raising the arch of your foot as it pushes off the ground. But if your foot moves incorrectly, the plantar fascia may become strained. The fascia may swell and its tiny fibers may begin to fray, causing plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms
With plantar fasciitis, the bottom of your foot may hurt when you stand, especially first thing in the morning. Pain usually occurs on the inside of the foot, near the spot where your heel and arch meet. Pain may lessen after a few steps, but it comes back after rest or with prolonged movement.

If you experience heel pain call us to schedule an appointment.

Category: Heel Pain

Podiatric Medicine

Podiatric medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing foot and ankle problems. A podiatrist (doctor of podiatric medicine) is highly trained through years of study and clinical practice.

This specialist provides treatment of foot and ankle problems, such as bunions, heel pain, spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses. A podiatrist also takes care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel.

Category: Podiatric Medicine

Toe Nail Problems

An ingrown nail is the result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it. This often occurs at either edge of the big toe. Ingrown nails may be caused by improper trimming, inherited nail deformities, injuries, fungal infections, or pressure.
Symptoms

Ingrown nails may cause pain at the tip of the toe or all the way to the base of the toe. The pain is often worse while walking. An ingrown nail may also lead to infection, inflammation, or a more serious conditon. If it’s infected, you might see pus or redness.

If you experience any of these symptoms call us to schedule an appointment.

Category: Toe Nail Problems

Abnormally thick or crumbling nails may be caused by injuries, pressure from shoes, fungal infections, or conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, or vascular disease. Eventually, the nail may loosen and fall off.

Symptoms
Along with thickening, the nail may appear ridged, brittle, or yellowish. The nail may also feel painful when pressure is put on it.

If you experience any of these symptoms call us to schedule an appointment.

Category: Toe Nail Problems

Many nail problems can be prevented by wearing the right shoes and trimming your nails properly. To help avoid infection, keep your feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes, tell us before doing any foot self-care.

Category: Toe Nail Problems

Disclaimer: The answers provided in our Frequently Asked Questions section are not a substitute for a visit to your health care provider. We will not be held liable for any diagnosis made or treatment recommended.

Hours

Please note: Dr. Kenneth Wichman of Manchester Podiatry Center, P.C. is available for house calls by appointment.

Please call 1-888-804-7180.