Foot Conditions and Treatments
Adult Flatfoot
Painful, progressive flatfoot in adults goes by a variety of names,
including posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, posterior tibial tendon insufficiency,
and adult acquired flatfoot, but the condition is not always related to the posterior tibial tendon.
Let the staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers determine the cause and the proper treatment.
including posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, posterior tibial tendon insufficiency,
and adult acquired flatfoot, but the condition is not always related to the posterior tibial tendon.
Let the staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers determine the cause and the proper treatment.
Diagnosis
The staff may make a hands-on examination of your foot and ankle, and may also observe you as you walk. X-rays and MRI scans are often not required during an evaluation. |
Treatment
The range of treatments typically includes rest, casts, anti-inflammatories, and orthoses. |
Athlete's Foot
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is the most common fungal skin infection. Its official name is tinea pedis. However, it’s commonly referred to as athlete’s foot because it regularly infects individuals who confine their overly sweaty feet in closefitting footwear.
Athlete’s foot typically presents itself as a scaly rash. The affected area often develops peeling skin and/or blisters. Even mild cases often cause uncomfortable burning and itching sensations that can worsen if left untreated. In more serious cases, open sores can also make the foot susceptible to bacterial infections.
Athete’s foot is a kind of ringworm. It’s closely related to tinea capitis, commonly known as “jock itch,” which affects areas around the groin. When the infection affects the scalp, it’s referred to as tinea capitis. And when it infects other parts of the body it’s known as tinea corporis.
If you suffer from athlete’s foot in Gurnee, IL or the surrounding areas, Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers can help eliminate the infection. Our foot and ankle specialists in Racine, WI and Kenosha, WI regularly treat athlete’s foot in all of its stages. We take your pain and discomfort seriously and will work to help you find the relief you need.
Athlete’s foot is the most common fungal skin infection. Its official name is tinea pedis. However, it’s commonly referred to as athlete’s foot because it regularly infects individuals who confine their overly sweaty feet in closefitting footwear.
Athlete’s foot typically presents itself as a scaly rash. The affected area often develops peeling skin and/or blisters. Even mild cases often cause uncomfortable burning and itching sensations that can worsen if left untreated. In more serious cases, open sores can also make the foot susceptible to bacterial infections.
Athete’s foot is a kind of ringworm. It’s closely related to tinea capitis, commonly known as “jock itch,” which affects areas around the groin. When the infection affects the scalp, it’s referred to as tinea capitis. And when it infects other parts of the body it’s known as tinea corporis.
If you suffer from athlete’s foot in Gurnee, IL or the surrounding areas, Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers can help eliminate the infection. Our foot and ankle specialists in Racine, WI and Kenosha, WI regularly treat athlete’s foot in all of its stages. We take your pain and discomfort seriously and will work to help you find the relief you need.
Diagnosis
Athlete’s foot has a number of distinct visual characteristics. So in many cases, our podiatrists can diagnose such foot infections simply by looking at them. In some cases, our staff may take a scraping from your skin and grow a culture. Or the doctors may perform a separate skin scraping for examination under the microscope. |
Treatment
There are a wide variety of treatments for athlete’s foot. Simply changing your footwear may be enough to clear up some infections. Other common solutions include topical antifungal powders and antifungal creams. More serious cases of athlete’s foot may require antifungal pills. |
Our podiatrists consider the severity of the infection and the health of the patient when determining a treatment plan. Individuals with weakened immune systems and those with diabetes should immediately seek medical advice if they develop athlete’s foot. When combined with such pre-existing conditions, athete’s foot can lead to more serious complications.
How To Prevent Athlete’s Foot
Keeping your feet clean is the easiest way to prevent athlete’s foot. To do so, wash your feet with soap and water every day. Because the fungus grows best in moist environments, avoid tight-fitting footwear, especially when working out. It’s also important to fully dry your feet after bathing or exercising.
It’s also a good idea to have more than one pair of shoes. Using an already moist pair of shoes dramatically increases the chances of infection. So if your shoes are still damp from a previous workout, use an alternate pair.
Athlete’s foot can be very contagious. So it’s best not to walk around barefoot in public places like swimming pools or locker rooms. Instead, wear a pair of waterproof sandals when traversing public areas, especially showers. And avoid sharing towels, linens, or footwear with anyone that has athlete’s foot.
How To Prevent Athlete’s Foot
Keeping your feet clean is the easiest way to prevent athlete’s foot. To do so, wash your feet with soap and water every day. Because the fungus grows best in moist environments, avoid tight-fitting footwear, especially when working out. It’s also important to fully dry your feet after bathing or exercising.
It’s also a good idea to have more than one pair of shoes. Using an already moist pair of shoes dramatically increases the chances of infection. So if your shoes are still damp from a previous workout, use an alternate pair.
Athlete’s foot can be very contagious. So it’s best not to walk around barefoot in public places like swimming pools or locker rooms. Instead, wear a pair of waterproof sandals when traversing public areas, especially showers. And avoid sharing towels, linens, or footwear with anyone that has athlete’s foot.
Heel Pain - Spurs and Fasciitis
If the bottom of your foot is painful, particularly with your first few steps in the morning, you may have heel spurs or plantar fasciitis.
The staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers treats heel pain through a number of approaches, including simple at-home exercises and functional foot orthotics.
The staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers treats heel pain through a number of approaches, including simple at-home exercises and functional foot orthotics.
Diagnosis
Our podiatrists may recommend a series of stretches to alleviate heel pain, as well as over-the-counter arch supports, improved footwear, and medication. |
Treatment
Surgery is rarely recommended for heel pain, but is not ruled out. |
Metatarsal Stress Fracture
A hairline break in one of the long foot bones is a metatarsal stress fracture. The break is caused by excessive stress, typically during sporting activities or because of excess weight.
The staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers can help you deal with the pain associated with a metatarsal stress fracture.
The staff at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers can help you deal with the pain associated with a metatarsal stress fracture.
Diagnosis
Typically, a metatarsal stress fracture shows itself through pain and swelling in the ball of the foot. Because our doctors can reproduce the pain by pressure, an X-ray is often unnecessary. |
Treatment
Initial treatments include rest, elevation, and ice, but sometimes a walking cast is needed |
Neuroma
Neuromas are a swelling in the nerve that can sometimes cause permanent damage. They are typically caused by compression or trauma.
The doctors at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers are experienced in accurately diagnosing and treating neuromas, which takes a particular skill.
The doctors at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers are experienced in accurately diagnosing and treating neuromas, which takes a particular skill.
Diagnosis
A physical examination and a thorough history of your complaint is important, because there are conditions that mimic neuroma pain but are not caused by the same problem. |
Treatment
Treatments vary widely from injections to orthotics to surgery. |
Planter Fasciitis Arch Pain
Arch Pain Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from heel to toe. It helps support the foot’s arch by connecting muscle of the foot to other bone and other components.
Modern research suggests that the plantar fascia is more accurately a plantar aponeurosis. The distinction between the terms won’t matter for most people, but you may see the terms used interchangeably, like in the diagram to the right.
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by inflammation of this area. It can cause heel pain and/or pain in the arch of the foot, most often after long periods of inactivity. Arching the toes and foot toward the shin may also provoke pain in those suffering from plantar fasciitis. The pain typically grows gradually, but sudden bouts of extreme pain may also occur.
If you’ve arch pain or think you may have plantar fasciitis, it’s important to have your feet medically reviewed. The doctors at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers have treated countless patients with plantar fasciitis in Racine and the surrounding areas. We treat every patient with the utmost care and have a number of treatment options to help you overcome your foot pain.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from heel to toe. It helps support the foot’s arch by connecting muscle of the foot to other bone and other components.
Modern research suggests that the plantar fascia is more accurately a plantar aponeurosis. The distinction between the terms won’t matter for most people, but you may see the terms used interchangeably, like in the diagram to the right.
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by inflammation of this area. It can cause heel pain and/or pain in the arch of the foot, most often after long periods of inactivity. Arching the toes and foot toward the shin may also provoke pain in those suffering from plantar fasciitis. The pain typically grows gradually, but sudden bouts of extreme pain may also occur.
If you’ve arch pain or think you may have plantar fasciitis, it’s important to have your feet medically reviewed. The doctors at Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers have treated countless patients with plantar fasciitis in Racine and the surrounding areas. We treat every patient with the utmost care and have a number of treatment options to help you overcome your foot pain.
Diagnosis
Since arch pain is often connected with sports and other activities, diagnosis is based both on a physical exam and a review of your personal history. For some patients, we may order an x-ray to rule out fractures, infections, and other underlying conditions. |
Treatment
Arch pain treatments and those specifically for plantar fasciitis are usually non-invasive. We often start with simple treatments, including rest, ice, heat, orthotics, and strengthening exercises. If pain persists, we may recommend physical therapy, weight loss, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. And if necessary, surgery is also an option. |
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction – also called adult acquired flatfoot – is caused by the gradual stretching and tearing of tendons and ligaments in the foot.
Since posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is best treated early on, you should contact Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers as soon as you suspect the problem.
Since posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is best treated early on, you should contact Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers as soon as you suspect the problem.
Diagnosis
The best diagnosis is made through clinical observation and a hands-on examination. X-rays and MRIs, although not always needed, may be used to confirm a diagnosis. |
Treatment
Treatments include casts, orthoses, shoe therapy, and surgery. |
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Exhibiting pain along the inside of the ankle and the arch during exercise and long periods of walking or standing, posterior tibial tendonitis may be a precursor to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Contact Great Lakes Foot & Ankle Centers when you experience ankle pain and swelling, both to relieve the current symptoms and to prevent further deterioration.
Diagnosis
Although the main diagnosis is made through a hands-on examination and review of your history, MRIs or ultrasound may help us determine how much damage has been done. |
Treatment
Initial treatments include injections, physical therapy, rest, and orthotics. |