Whether the result of genetics, activity, infection, or disease, your feet can encounter a wide variety of ailments throughout your life. Foot conditions can be painful and limit your mobility, so it’s important to seek professional help if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Kansas City Foot Specialists approaches foot and ankle disorders with conservative, non-invasive treatments as the primary option. However, should you require surgery for treatment, the Surgery Center of Blue Valley is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that enables our staff to provide the high-quality surgical services you need.
Common Foot and Ankle Problems We Treat
At Kansas City Foot Specialists, we are trained and experienced in treating a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. We have helped hundreds of Kansas Citians get back on their feet, quite literally. There’s no need to live with pain, limited mobility, or even ugly shoes! The following are some of the most common treatable foot conditions that bring patients to our office:
Win the Battle of the Bunions
Are you tired of buying shoes a size bigger because your bunions don’t fit? You don’t have to live with achy, aggravating bunions anymore. We can perform a simple surgery to correct bunions. Bunions are usually caused by abnormal foot structure or poor support. This causes extra pressure on the first metatarsal bone (big toe), which can cause ligaments to stretch and pull, gradually leading to the development of a bunion. Bunion symptoms may include:
- Pain near the big toe
- Redness or swelling near the big toe
- A visible bump on the side of the big toe
- Corns between the big toe and the toe next to it
Bring the Hammer Down on Hammertoes
Hammertoes are caused by an imbalance between the tendons located on the top and bottom of your toe which can cause the toes to contract. Don’t put off treatment as, over time, hammertoes can become worse and flexible deformities can become rigid making it impossible to straighten your toe out by manipulating it. Sometimes a simple tendon release can fix the problem. Other times, surgery may be required. Look for these symptoms of hammertoes:
- Inability to straighten toes
- Corns on top of toes
- Callouses on ball of foot
- Rigid toes
Nix Painful Neuromas with a Variety of Treatments
A neuroma is a pinched or damaged nerve in the bottom of the foot that has become swollen and painful. A small nerve passes through the metatarsal bones (the long bones behind your toes) and splits into your toes. Abnormal bone movement can pinch this nerve, causing it to swell and form a neuroma. It typically occurs between the third and fourth toes (called a Morton’s Neuroma), but can be found in other places including the heel. While this is the most common cause of neuromas, they can also be caused by a cut or a puncture wound near the nerve of a foot. Neuromas can lead to permanent nerve damage. Symptoms include:
- Tingling
- Burning
- Numbness in one or two toes
- Feeling a pop in your step while walking
Be Diligent When Looking for Diabetes-Related Foot Conditions
Diabetes (elevated blood sugar) can lead to serious damage to the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves, and feet. Many people who have diabetes don’t know it. More than 65,000 lower limbs are amputated annually due to complications from diabetes. Early recognition and regular foot screenings by a podiatrist will help prevent the need for amputation. Inspect your feet daily and look for these warning signs in both feet and ankles:
- Changes in skin color
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Pain in the legs
- Open sores that are slow to heal
- Ingrown and fungal toenails
- Bleeding corns and calluses
- Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel
Other Common Foot & Ankle Conditions
Many conditions can affect the wellbeing of your feet and ankles. Below are some of the more commonly seen conditions.
- Sesamoiditis – inflammation of the periosteum or bone lining of the sesamoid bone.
- Arthritis – inflammation and swelling of the lining of joint including damage to the cartilage.
- Achilles Tendonitis – inflamation and pain in the Achilles tendon typically as a result of overuse.
- Athlete’s foot – a fungal infection of the skin on the foot.
If you’re suffering from a bunion, neuroma, or other foot condition that is causing pain and affecting your quality of life, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists.