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Dr. Karr is one of the top 2 podiatry surgeons to complete 100 lapiplasty procedures.
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July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021 00:00

Hard, Soft, and Seed Corns

Corns are a buildup of hard skin that usually occurs on the tops or sides of the toes. They get their name from their appearance, which resembles a corn kernel. There are three types of corns: hard, soft, and seed. A hard corn is small, made up of dead skin, and has a packed center. A soft corn is more pliable and typically found between the fourth and fifth toes. A seed corn is tiny, but can be very tender and painful depending on its location. Unlike hard and soft corns, seed corns are usually found on the soles of the feet. Corns generally arise due to friction from ill-fitting shoes or socks. If you have corns on your feet that are bothering you it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

  • Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
  • Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
  • Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Read more about Understanding Corns and Calluses

Poor circulation in the lower limbs can be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This is a serious condition that can cause leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, foot and ankle wounds, and difficulty walking. Older individuals and those with a history of cardiovascular problems are said to be particularly at risk. Your podiatrist can play a major role in detecting, diagnosing, and helping you manage PAD. Podiatrists can perform diagnostic vascular tests in the clinic. These tests are safe and noninvasive ways to assess blood flow in your lower limbs. Frequently used tests include the Ankle-Brachial Index test and Doppler ultrasonography. To learn more about PAD and to get tested, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you.  

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

  • Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
  • Doppler examination
  • Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

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

 

Read more about Vascular Testing in Podiatry
Thursday, 15 July 2021 00:00

Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

The big toe is most commonly affected when an ingrown toenail develops. An ingrown toenail is defined as the nail growing into the skin instead of over it. This can develop for several reasons including a recent toe injury, wearing shoes that do not fit properly, or from trimming the toenails incorrectly. A common symptom of this condition is pain in the big toe and surrounding areas, followed by redness and swelling. Mild relief may be found when the affected toe is soaked in warm water, and this can make it easier to gently pull the skin away from the toenail. It is also beneficial to wear shoes that have ample room for the toes to move freely in, in addition to refraining from putting pressure on the ingrown toenail. If you have symptoms of an ingrown toenail it is strongly suggested that you meet with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

  • Improper toenail trimming
  • Genetics
  • Improper shoe fitting
  • Injury from pedicures or nail picking
  • Abnormal gait
  • Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Read more about Ingrown Toenail Care

Because the feet are made up of 26 bones, 30 joints, and almost 100 muscles and ligaments, there are a variety of issues that can lead to foot pain. Pain at the bottom of the foot can indicate problems such as Plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, or neuropathy. Plantar fasciitis is the result of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes, becoming inflamed. Metatarsalgia generally refers to any painful condition that affects the metatarsal region, or ball of the foot. However, the pain is normally caused because the metatarsal heads (ball of the foot) become inflamed and put more pressure on the bones at the front of the foot. Lastly, neuropathy is a result of nerve damage in the feet that can lead to a tingling, burning or stabbing sensation. If you are struggling with foot pain, consulting with a podiatrist is important in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for the issue.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Grand Blanc Family Footcare. 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 office located in Grand Blanc, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
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