Strong and flexible feet are essential to runners. Feet are the part of the body that strike and engage with the ground, and provide the foundation on which the body relies to complete and sustain the running movement. With 26 bones in each foot, nearly one quarter of all the bones in our bodies are located in the feet, not to mention muscles and tendons. Strong arches are an important component in the propulsion action the feet and legs perform during running and also help the foot’s ability to adequately absorb high-impact forces which is critical to preventing injuries. Sometimes, runners either need to compensate for flat feet, or they can develop fallen arches over time. There are exercises a podiatrist can suggest to help you strengthen your foot muscles, as well as custom orthotics to give you the proper arch support you need while running. Additionally, they may present a surgical option to correct flexible flatfoot.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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

An ingrown toenail is defined as the corners of a nail growing into the edges of the surrounding skin. This typically occurs in the big toe of babies and adults alike, but it can happen to any of the toes. Because baby’s nails are soft and flexible and sometimes curve in at the edges, they may appear to have an ingrown toenail without the nail truly being ingrown. When you are not sure if the nail is ingrown, give your baby a bath and let their feet soak in warm water. The toenails will become even softer so you can check and gently bend the corners of the nail upward if they are in fact growing inward. If you are still unsure, the most common symptom is for the skin around the affected toenail to become red or swollen. You may even notice pus or a yellow fluid where your baby’s toenail is ingrown. If any of these symptoms occur it is important to visit your podiatrist as these may be signs of an infection. An infection can be serious to your baby, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions. To help prevent your child from developing ingrown toenails, do not cut their nails too short and when you do trim them be sure to cut straight across. To learn more about proper foot health for your baby, please seek the counsel of a local podiatrist.

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 Dr. Michael D. Garvin of Florida. Our doctor 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 Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which one or more nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. This often affects the lower limbs and may involve multiple nerves (polyneuropathy) or only one nerve (mononeuropathy). A single nerve may be damaged due to a sudden injury, prolonged pressure on the nerve, a local compression, or inflammation. Multiple nerves may be damaged due to systemic diseases, such as diabetes. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the lower limbs include numbness, prickling, or tingling in the toes, burning, freezing, throbbing, or shooting pains, sensitivity to touch, and muscle weakness. If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in your feet or ankles, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

People that are interested in entering the medical field and treating foot and ankle disorders may want to consider a career in podiatry. A podiatrist uses the initials DPM, which is an abbreviation for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Schooling consists of attending a four year program after college, followed by three years of residency training. Foot conditions that are treated generally include hammertoe, bunions, and heel pain, which may be indicative of plantar fasciitis or a heel spur. Additionally, podiatrists are able to provide their patients with custom-made orthotics, treat diabetic patients, and perform different types of foot surgery. It is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist if you are interested in pursuing a career in podiatry.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor 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 office located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fibromatosis, also known as Ledderhose disease, is a rare condition in which benign fibrous nodules form in the arch of the foot along the plantar fascia. These growths develop slowly and may cause discomfort or pain when walking or standing, especially if the nodules become larger or press against footwear. The exact cause is not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified. Genetics may play a role, as the condition sometimes runs in families. People with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, or liver disease, may have a higher risk. Additionally, repeated foot trauma or strain on the plantar fascia could also contribute. If you have lumps on the sole of your foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can effectively monitor and treat this condition.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.