Blog Archive

Is Wound Debridement Necessary? Oct 1st, 2023

Diabetic foot care 一 a service that our board-certified podiatrists at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists are passionate about 一 includes many different treatments to help prevent and treat diabetic foot complications.  Diabetic foot care can include nail trimming, neuropathy treatments, and routine exams. One of the most important aspects of diabetic foot care...

Do Hammertoes Require Surgery? Sep 1st, 2023

If you've ever experienced pain or discomfort accompanied by a hammer-like bend in your toes, you might be dealing with hammertoes. It's a common foot condition that affects the middle joint of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes, causing them to bend downward instead of pointing forward.  Due to the...

Why Diabetics Should Take Extra Care of Their Feet Aug 1st, 2023

Did you know that about half of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve damage? High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in any part of your body, but nerve damage in the feet is rather common.  Unfortunately, nerve damage is just one of the many ways diabetes can...

Signs of a Tendon Rupture in Your Ankle Jul 14th, 2023

Tendon rupture 一 a debilitating and painful injury that affects your mobility and overall quality of life 一 occurs when the tissue that connects muscles to bones tears. These tears can happen in any tendon, but athletes suffer 80% of Achilles tendon ruptures.  Whether you're an athlete, an active individual,...

4 Ways to Prevent Severe Bunion Pain Jun 12th, 2023

Officially known as hallux valgus, bunions can be a source of significant pain and discomfort, affecting the quality of life for many men and women.  While seeking professional help from our team here at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists in southeast Florida is essential for treating bunions, taking preventive measures can go a long way to...

What to Expect During Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment May 11th, 2023

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a well-established therapy designed to boost the oxygen levels throughout your body. It involves inhaling pure oxygen while you sit in a special pressurized chamber.  It’s the go-to treatment for treating decompression sickness, but it also promotes healing in individuals with various medical conditions, including diabetic...

How Type 1 Diabetes Affects Your Feet Apr 10th, 2023

Diabetes is a group of conditions  一 Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes 一 that affects your body’s insulin and blood sugar levels.   While Type 2 diabetes often develops as a result of lifestyle factors, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that usually develops during childhood....

Why Rest Isn't Optional While Nursing an Ankle Sprain Mar 15th, 2023

As one of the most common ankle injuries, sprains result in over 2 million ER visits each year. The actual number of ankle sprains is likely much higher, since not everyone goes to the ER after spraining an ankle.  Regardless of how you sprained your ankle, the resulting pain and...

Swollen Arms and Legs: Is it Lymphedema? Feb 15th, 2023

Secondary lymphedema 一 a common condition that affects about 1 in every 1,000 Americans 一 refers to swelling from increased lymphatic fluid in your arm or leg that develops as a result of a primary condition.  Lymphedema often develops in people who have undergone lymph node removal surgery, but it...

5 Ways to Manage Your Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms Jan 17th, 2023

Psoriasis is a type of autoimmune skin condition that causes red scaly patches of skin that may itch, burn, or sting. Psoriasis can flare up and often affects the scalp, knees, and elbows.  Psoriatic arthritis develops in people with psoriasis. On top of itchy red patches of skin, you may...

How Do Cancer Treatments Affect Your Feet? Dec 13th, 2022

Cancerous tumors 一 including those associated with Ewing's sarcoma as well as metastases一 can develop in the bones of your feet. Tumors in any bones can cause pain and swelling, but when they develop in your feet, they can severely affect your mobility.  While the tumors themselves affect your feet,...

4 Encouraging Facts About Plantar Fasciitis Nov 30th, 2022

Plantar fasciitis is a common overuse injury in which your plantar fascia becomes inflamed and tender. If you experience stabbing pain when you walk, especially your first few steps each morning, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis.  Unfortunately, as the condition progresses, exercising 一 and even just walking 一...

When to See a Specialist About Heel Pain Oct 4th, 2022

You might not think much about your heel until heel pain sets in. Then it’s hard to ignore. Plantar fasciitis 一 a main source of heel pain 一 accounts for 10% of all running-related injuries and 15% of all podiatric issues requiring medical care. Achilles tendinitis is another condition that causes pain in the...

How Are Ankle Sprains and Fractures Different? Sep 8th, 2022

Your ankle joint is a hinged synovial joint that allows you to move your feet upward, downward, and side to side. You might not think much about your ankles until they’re hurt, but ankle injuries are all too common. Because of the many tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles in your...

5 Lifestyle Habits That Fuel Foot Pain Aug 4th, 2022

When foot pain arises, it’s tempting to think that one of the 26 bones in your foot is broken, but there are many other conditions that can affect the 30 joints or the 100-plus ligaments, muscles, and tendons.  Not only do underlying conditions, such as arthritis, contribute to foot pain, but lifestyle habits...

My Heel Hurts in the Morning: Could It Be Plantar Fasciitis? Jul 7th, 2022

The key to finding relief from foot pain is pinpointing the source of your pain so you can treat it appropriately. Take note of when your feet hurt the most. If it’s first thing in the morning, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis, a common foot condition that flares up...

What Every Diabetic Should Know About Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments Jun 9th, 2022

Because chronic high blood sugar levels make it harder for your skin to heal itself, even a small cut can become a big problem for diabetics.  Poor immune response and slow-healing wounds can contribute to serious complications such as diabetic ulcers, gangrene, and even amputation. Understandably, diabetic wounds aren’t to be taken...

Will a Ruptured Achilles Tendon Heal on Its Own? May 5th, 2022

Your Achilles tendon, which connects your heel to your calf muscles, is prone to overuse injuries. Achilles tendinitis happens when the tendon becomes overused and inflamed, and in serious cases, the tendon can even rupture. At Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, our board-certified podiatrists are experienced when it comes...

Myths and Facts About Lupus Apr 7th, 2022

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic pain and inflammation in your body. Although more than 5,000,000 women, men, and children have lupus globally, it’s still an often-misunderstood illness. At Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, our board-certified podiatrists understand that misconceptions about lupus can affect the way you feel about yourself and how you...

4 Ways to Prevent Lymphedema Mar 10th, 2022

Lymphedema happens when your arm or leg swells, usually after you have lymph node removal surgery. Although it’s a common complication after cancer surgery, it isn't limited to cancer surgery. You can develop lymphedema after any surgery or infection. Because it’s common 一 affecting 1 in 1,000 Americans 一 you...

How Cancer Can Affect Your Feet Feb 8th, 2022

Even though advancements in cancer treatments have helped patients live longer, the treatments do cause adverse reactions throughout your body. Most notably, cancer treatments cause nausea, lack of appetite, and hair loss, but they can also affect your feet.  Our board-certified podiatrists at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists understand...

5 Conservative Treatments for Bunions Jan 13th, 2022

Bunions are a  common progressive condition  一 up to 25% of people have them 一 in which your big toe joint juts out. Not surprisingly, this condition can make it difficult and painful to wear shoes.  While surgery can correct a bunion, it’s not necessarily the only solution. Our board-certified...

How to Ease Plantar Fasciitis Pain at Home Dec 13th, 2021

If your first few steps each morning are painful, your plantar fascia likely has small tears and inflammation. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, the condition is known as plantar fasciitis.  It’s a common overuse injury that often affects runners, dancers, and aerobic enthusiasts.  Whether you’re an athlete or not,...

How Corticosteroids Can Relieve Neuroma Pain Nov 14th, 2021

If you feel like you always have a pebble in your shoe, you might have a neuroma, which is a benign nerve tumor that surrounds the nerve leading to your toes.  Neuromas most often develop between your third and fourth toes, leading to a burning sensation in the ball of...

Using Orthotics to Treat Plantar Fasciitis Oct 14th, 2021

If you have plantar fasciitis, you’re probably familiar with heel pain, especially first thing in the morning and after you exercise. If so, you’re not alone. Plantar fasciitis accounts for over 2 million trips to podiatrists each year.   We know that plantar fasciitis can lead to excruciating heel pain that...

5 Signs of Lymphedema Sep 9th, 2021

If you're preparing for surgery, especially any surgery that involves your lymph nodes, your doctor  may tell you to watch for signs of lymphedema.  Lymphedema refers to the intense swelling of a single limb (or both arms or legs). It often develops in those who have had lymph nodes removed...

Common Autoimmune Diseases and How They Are Treated Aug 19th, 2021

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which your immune system attacks your own cells, rather than invading cells (like germs). There are over 100 autoimmune diseases. Some, like alopecia, don’t affect your feet, but there are several autoimmune diseases that do. At Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, our team of...

The Link Between Cancer and Neuropathy Jul 22nd, 2021

Most people associate neuropathy with diabetes. That’s because diabetes can contribute to diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy causes tingling and numbness due to nerve damage. When this happens to your feet, you're more likely to experience foot injuries without even realizing it. But diabetes isn’t the only condition that increases your risk...

Ankle Exercises That Will Help You Avoid a Sprain Jun 29th, 2021

An ankle sprain is a very common injury and one that we regularly see here at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists. Below, our team of board-certified podiatrists explains how exercises can keep your ankles healthy and which ones can help you avoid an ankle sprain. How exercise helps you...

Myths and Facts About Tumors May 23rd, 2021

Suspicious lumps and bumps can be quite concerning, and if you notice any unusual growths or bumps on your feet or ankles, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our board-certified podiatrists at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists.  In the meantime, we created this guide to...

Why You Should Never Ignore Swelling in Your Arms or Legs Apr 14th, 2021

From pregnancy to deep vein thrombosis to broken bones to medication side effects, there are many reasons you might notice swelling in your arms or legs. While you could be tempted to brush off swelling, you should know why you have swelling so you can take the appropriate steps to...

Identify the Most Common Symptoms of Heel Spurs Mar 1st, 2021

Has heel pain left you unable to work out or perform your routine tasks? There are many causes of heel pain, including heel spurs.  Heel spurs, which are hardened calcium deposits that form as bony-like growths, can cause pain underneath and in front of your heel. Don’t ignore heel pain;...

Why Experienced Diabetic Wound Care Matters Feb 17th, 2021

Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, but it doesn’t just affect your blood sugar. Diabetes can affect all parts of your body from your kidneys to your vision to your feet.  If you have diabetes and develop a wound on your foot, receiving experienced diabetic wound...

High Heels and Morton's Neuroma: Yes, There Is a Connection Jan 22nd, 2021

Although high heel sales have dropped 12%, an estimated 39% of women still wear these shoes on a daily basis. While high heels may add a sophisticated flair to your outfit, they can wreak havoc on your feet.    If you regularly wear high heels — and you notice pain in...

Tips for Preventing Hammertoe Dec 18th, 2020

You rely on your toes more than you realize, so when something goes sideways with your toes, it gets your full attention. Bunions, corns, and calluses are just a few of the toe woes you may face in your lifetime, not the least of which is hammertoe, an involuntary contracture...

Leg and Foot Wound Care Apr 14th, 2017

When an individual is experiencing the effects of a leg, ankle, or foot wound or nonhealing ulcer, the symptoms can be painful and, at times, debilitating. Wounds can result from a variety of conditions, including:  Cancer Diabetes Traumatic injuries Vein disorders Lymphedema Foot and Leg Ulcers Ulcers often occur on...

Common Causes of Foot Pain Apr 13th, 2017

Foot pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and if not treated properly by a certified foot and ankle specialist, the pain can begin to affect other parts of the body. Common foot conditions include hammertoes, bunions, and plantar fasciitis.  Hammertoes  A hammertoe is a bending, also called...

Understanding Diabetic Foot Care Apr 13th, 2017

In individuals with untreated diabetes, serious complications can arise, including with the feet. An excess of blood sugar can lead to neuropathy, or lack of feeling due to damaged nerves in the legs and feet. Peripheral vascular disease is also a common complication, which is poor blood flow to the...