Items filtered by date: December 2022

Anyone should know that protecting your feet is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One way that individuals might go about protecting the health of their feet is by monitoring certain levels of nutrients and minerals in the body. Electrolytes, for instance, have an important effect on the health of the feet. Electrolytes are a type of mineral in the blood of the body, and they play an important role in managing the level of water that is in your body at any given time. When electrolytes are at a low level, the feet may experience certain changes. For instance, low electrolytes might translate into increased muscle cramps. There are many ways that an individual can go about preventing this. People with low electrolyte levels can increase their level of electrolytes by eating foods such as bananas, spinach, or kidney beans. It is very important to be mindful of one’s electrolyte levels at all times to monitor the connection that it has with the health of the feet. Please contact a podiatrist for more information about this important topic.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact David Mansky, DPM from Mansky Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Hastings, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There is no mistaking what a bunion is. It is a common foot deformity that can develop from wearing shoes that are too tight and is noticeable by the small bony protrusion that is seen on the side of the big toe. Bunions that are left untreated may grow and push the other toes toward each other. This can present difficulty in walking and medical attention is often sought for comfort and relief. Research has shown a bunion may also be caused by genetic factors in addition to medical conditions such as various types of arthritis. People who are afflicted with a bunion may need to purchase larger shoes to accommodate it and mild relief may be found when a protective pad is worn over it. Bunions do not go away on their own and it is strongly suggested that a podiatrist be consulted who can prescribe orthotics or recommend surgery for permanent removal.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact David Mansky, DPM of Mansky Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Hastings, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

While pain in foot joints is not unusual, particularly if you participate in high-impact activities like running, persistent aching, pain, and stiffness in joints may be a sign of arthritis. Arthritis usually affects people more as they age, and it can lead to disability if not tended to early on. Arthritis is classified as inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis, OA, which is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative disorder caused by trauma, overuse, or wear and tear on foot joints. It often affects weight-bearing joints like the big toe. Inflammatory arthritis is a systemic disease where the mechanisms that normally protect the body attack their own joints and tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most well-known of this type. With this type of arthritis, joint problems will often affect both feet at the same time. If you have continuing aching pain and stiffness in your feet, please see a podiatrist for an evaluation.
 

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact David Mansky, DPM from Mansky Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Hastings, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

When an individual experiences foot pain, they ought to take note of where and how they are feeling the pain. This is so because foot pain can often tell us a great deal about what the underlying problem might be. An individual can experience pain in virtually all parts of their foot, and this can point to different potential sources of pain. Sometimes, an individual might experience pain in the inside or arch of their foot. This can be indicative of several different things. For example, one might experience arch pain because of structural issues perhaps caused by weight gain, overuse, and physical stress. Additionally, pain in the arch may be indicative of a specific foot affliction such as plantar fasciitis, which is defined as the inflammation of the plantar fascia band of tissue along the arch of the foot. Contact a podiatrist today if you are experiencing arch pain. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with David Mansky, DPM from Mansky Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Hastings, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.