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Ellensburg
(509) 925-4633

September 2020

Monday, 28 September 2020 00:00

Why Do I Have an Ingrown Toenail?

If you’ve noticed your toenail has grown into the surrounding skin of your nail, it’s very possible that you may be dealing with an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can be uncomfortable and often painful if left untreated. You may be wondering how did this happen? There are a few reasons why an ingrown toenail may develop. Common causes may include trauma to the affected toenail, such as stubbing the toe, wearing shoes that are too tight, cutting your toenails too short, and cutting your toenails on an angle. To ensure that an infection does not develop, please seek the care of a podiatrist to help you with treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Thursday, 24 September 2020 00:00

Why Live with Pain and Numbness in Your Feet?

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Monday, 21 September 2020 00:00

Common Risk Factors of Cuboid Syndrome

When the joints or ligaments surrounding the cuboid bone in your foot are injured or torn, it’s possible you may develop cuboid syndrome. Certain forms of arthritis may increase your chances of getting cuboid syndrome, such as osteoarthritis and gout. Common risk factors for this condition may include obesity, wearing footwear that is too tight or lacks support, not stretching before working out, partaking in physical activity on uneven surfaces, and a lack of rest between physical activities. Pain on the lateral side of your foot is a common indicator of cuboid syndrome, along with tenderness and redness towards that area. If you believe you have developed cuboid syndrome, please consult with a podiatrist for advice on treatment options.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about All About Cuboid Syndrome
Monday, 14 September 2020 00:00

What is a Lisfranc Injury?

The five metatarsal bones, plus the tendons and ligaments that create the arch at the top of the foot and connect the midfoot to the forefoot, are known as the Lisfranc joint complex. These ligaments and tendons can be sprained, or the metatarsal bones can be fractured, resulting in what is known as a “Lisfranc injury.” Usually this injury is caused by either trauma to the foot or a sudden force and rotation to the midfoot. If there are no fractures or complete tears, a cast will likely be needed for around six weeks before starting rehab. However, most Lisfranc injury cases will require a surgery that realigns the structures to ensure proper healing, and recovery time can take as long as six months. If you have experienced a Lisfranc injury or would like more information, make sure to consult with your podiatrist.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fasciosis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Heel pain can be a common issue that a lot of runners experience. The style of your running stride, as well as overuse, can be factors in why you may be experiencing heel pain, however certain conditions may also be the cause. Fallen arches, or flat feet, as they're more commonly referred to, can create heel pain after a run due to the misshapen structure of the feet. The lack of an arch may put added stress or strain on the plantar fascia. The role of the plantar fascia is to connect the heel bone to the toes. If this tears, or becomes inflamed, another common heel condition known as plantar fasciitis may develop. For more information on what conditions may affect your heels, especially for runners, please consult with a podiatrist.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Weight change           
  • Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Heel Pain
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