“Oh, my aching feet,” is a common complaint at the end of the day. That is because the feet work hard to carry the weight of the entire body all day long, particularly if you spend a lot of time standing or walking. Still, not all aches and pains in the feet are caused by activity. Flat feet, for instance, can contribute to increased foot fatigue. Aging can be another factor in aching feet, as the fat pads on the heel become thinner and the feet often become wider. The shoes worn throughout the day, especially high heels with pointy toes, can affect foot pain, too. Certain medical and physical conditions – including diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and hammertoes – are often causes of foot pain. And of course injuries, such as stress fractures, sprains, or muscle strains, may be factors. Aching feet at the end of the day should not be a general cause for alarm, especially if the pain subsides after you rest or soak your feet. However, if the foot pain is ongoing or chronic, it may be a good idea to consult with a podiatrist for an evaluation. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors 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 offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The medical term for a foot doctor is a podiatrist. This is a doctor who specializes in various conditions involving the feet and ankles. People who are interested in pursuing a career in podiatry will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, followed by four years of training in a podiatric medical school. Residency training begins after medical school and occurs in a hospital or clinic. There are different areas of foot medicine that podiatrists can choose to specialize in. These include wound care, surgery, diabetes, sports medicine, and more. Additionally, there are common everyday foot conditions like ingrown toenails, blisters, bunions, and fungal nails that podiatrists also treat. A podiatrist can prescribe medication to help with any foot or ankle ailment. If you are considering this type of career path, please confer with a podiatrist who can help you to determine if this is the correct choice for you.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An infection from toenail fungus is also known as onychomycosis. It can affect your feet when fungal spores latch onto your toenails and feed off of nail tissues. If you have toenail fungus, you might notice that the affected nail has become brittle in texture or discolored. There are several steps that you might consider taking to avoid the development of toenail fungus. For example, since these organisms thrive in warm, damp environments, you can be diligent about wearing shoes in public areas, like locker rooms and the sides of community pools. Also, you might consider applying antifungal foot powder to your feet on a regular basis. To ward off fungal infections of the feet, you might also purchase socks that are designed to wick away moisture and perspiration. If you are concerned about developing, or have an ongoing toenail fungus, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe pain in and around affected joints, often in the big toe. Gout is most common in older men. Symptoms include swelling, redness, tenderness, and severe pain in the affected joint. This condition, left untreated, can worsen. Gout attacks usually occur on the joint at the base of the big toe, but can affect every other joint in the foot. Many joints can be affected at once. Attacks happen quickly and can become worse. They may subside after a week or take longer to to heal. The primary cause of gout is an accumulation of uric acid in the body. This happens because of the breakdown of chemicals in the body known as purines. Usually, uric acid is secreted through the kidneys and urine, but when it is not, the substance begins to form crystals, which settle around joints, under skin, and even in internal organs. Eventually they find their way into spaces between bones that form a joint and begin to rub against joint linings, causing pain and inflammation. If you feel pain in your big toe, please see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose gout and provide appropriate treatment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.