Marc-Andre Fleury starts Game 5; Trevor Daley out for playoffs with broken ankle

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Heel Spurs: Treatment and Prevention

Heel spurs are another foot problem that we can diagnose and treat here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK. While sometimes heel spurs can develop and cause no pain at all, other times they can cause a great deal of pain.

A sharp pain in the bottom of the foot when first standing in the morning is a common symptom of a heel spurs. The pain often returns when someone stands up after sitting for a long period of time and while walking, jogging, and running. After the sharp pain subsides, it is replaced with a dull ache.

There are conservative and invasive ways to relieve heel spurs. Anti-inflammatory medications can help with pain and swelling, as well as stretching, orthotics, certain shoes, and physical therapy. In some cases, your podiatrist may want to inject a corticosteroid to relieve the inflammation in the area.

When conservative approaches do not work, this is when surgical options are considered. The heel spur can be removed, or the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot) may be released.

To prevent heel spurs, make sure to wear well-fitting shoes for each activity you are doing. Also make sure to warm up and cool down after physical activities. If you wear out the heels of your shoes, make sure to replace them.

If you have been experiencing heel pain, come in for an examination at our Soldotna, AK location. To schedule, call Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care at (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com. 

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and How to Treat It

The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are commonly confused with the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK wants their patients experiencing arch and heel pain to know the difference and to be examined.

Shooting pain, numbness, and a tingling, burning sensation in the heel, the arch, and sometimes the toes are all symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome. These symptoms can feel worse when running, standing for long periods of time, and at the end of a day. Pain caused by plantar fasciitis is also in the inside of the heel and the arch of the foot. However, symptoms having to do with the tibial nerve, like numbness and tingling, as well as tenderness to the touch of certain areas, indicate that the pain is actually tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your podiatrist will be able to run a test to diagnose one or the other.

To relieve the pain caused by tarsal tunnel syndrome, rest from activities that seem to aggravate the condition. When the pain occurs, an anti-inflammatory and a cold pack will help reduce inflammation and swelling. Your podiatrist will know proper foot stretches and exercises to strengthen and stretch the area. These combined can often relieve tarsal tunnel syndrome.

If you have been feeling a burning, tingling sensation near your heel and the arch of the foot, do not wait to have it evaluated. To schedule an appointment with Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK, call (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com. 

Xerosis Cutis and How to Treat It

Xerosis cutis is a foot problem that can be quite irritating, but there are ways to defeat it. We at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK want our patients with extra dry skin to know more about xerosis cutis and how to treat it.

Xerosis cutis is abnormally dry skin and is common on the feet. While this is a temporary condition, it is never welcome and there are ways to keep it away. The signs of xerosis cutis are characterized by dry, itchy, scaly skin, skin that is white and flaky, pink, red, and irritated skin, tight skin, and skin that has fine cracks in it. While getting older may decrease the oils in your skin, causing more dryness, environmental factors are to blame, as well. While taking a shower or bath, over-cleansing the skin, bathing too frequently, and using extra-hot water can all contribute to dry skin. Low humidity and cold, dry winters are also factors. Extended sun exposure, as well as not drinking enough water can also lead to dry skin. While some of these conditions are not easily changed, like winter conditions, there are a lot of ways that you can help moisturize your skin.

Short showers or baths with lukewarm water and gentle cleansers are recommended for bathing. Oil-based moisturizing lotions and drinking plenty of water will also help. For dry air in your home, using a humidifier is also beneficial. And be sure to use sunscreen!

To schedule an appointment with Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK, call (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com. 

Tailor's Bunion

Tailor’s bunion are less common than a regular bunion, but can be just as painful and troublesome. Here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care, of Soldotna, AK, we want you to be able to identify the difference and maybe save yourself some trouble if you are experiencing foot pain.

While a regular bunion is a bump formed in the joint at the base of the big toe, a tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette, is formed in the joint at the base of the little toe. They earned their name, tailor’s bunion, by being a well-known foot problem of tailors. These days, the bunionettes are usually caused by not wearing proper shoes. Shoes that do not allow enough room for toes, high-heels, and pointy-toed shoes push in the little toe, deforming the base joint. Inherited predispositions to bunionettes are also to blame.

While the pain in a normal bunion is usually experienced in the bump that forms, with a bunionette, pain is usually felt inside of the joint. Toe spacers and foot padding worn inside shoes can help relieve pain and move the little toe back to its normal positon. Icing the area at the end of the day will also help relieve pain and swelling.

If you have been experiencing pain or even have developed a bump on your little toe joint, schedule an appointment here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK. Call (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com. 

Hammertoe

Hammertoes are identified as a bending of the joints of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes. It is an abnormal bending that can cause various problems to develop, including pain and swelling due to the pressure from shoes. To diagnose hammertoes, Dr. Harry Cotler will look for common signs, like inflammation, redness, pain when wearing shoes, corns and calluses on the toes or the ball of the foot, and possibly open sores in some cases. His practice, Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center offers hammertoe treatments for patients of all ages in Soldotna, AK.

Treatment for hammertoes begins with an examination by Dr. Cotler. The symptoms of hammertoes can worsen over time, making treatment essential. Treatments provided by Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center include creating custom orthotic footwear, providing padding for calluses or corns that form on the hammertoe, suggesting alternative footwear, trimming calluses and corns, and offering medications for the toe.

Surgery is also available for hammertoes, though it is rarely needed and only provided to patients who have a severe case. Patients benefit from seeking hammertoe treatment Dr. Cotler because they are getting treatments from an experienced podiatrist. He is able to treat the symptoms of hammertoes, determine if surgery if needed, and help prevent further complications, like friction from the patient’s shoes that can make them even more painful. If you have the signs of hammertoes, contact Dr. Cotler for more information about hammertoes treatments.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler for your hammertoes by calling (907) 260-3668 or learn more about Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center in Soldotna, AK at www.hcotler.com.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toe nails may start out as small nuisances, but if left untreated, they can become much larger problems. Occurring when a segment of the toenail embeds itself in the skin around the nail, ingrown toenails cause pain, redness, swelling and a feeling of warmth to the affected toe. If the nail digs far enough into the flesh to break the skin, an infection can result. Whether you are in need of treatment or would like to know how to best prevent ingrown toenails, Dr. Harry Cotler of the Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center in Soldotna, AK can help.

While some people are just more prone to ingrown nails than others, ingrown nails are often caused by improper trimming techniques. They can also be caused by repeated impact, ill-fitting shoes, poor hygiene, excessive sweating or stubbing the toe. Minor ingrown toenails can oftentimes be treated at home if you’re in good health and no infection is present. To do this, first soak the foot to soften the skin. Then massage the affected area to loosen the troublesome part of the nail.

If the ingrown toe nail persists after five days, is extremely painful or infected, physician care is necessary. Antibiotics may be prescribed to fight infection, and if the nail is deeply embedded, outpatient surgery may be required.

To prevent and treat ingrown toenails and preserve the health of your feet, schedule an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler of Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center in Soldotna, AK by calling (907) 260-3668. For more information about Dr. Cotler and his practice, visit www.hcotler.com.