Erythromelalgia, or EM, can affect the feet. It is considered to be a rare foot condition, and common symptoms are redness, burning, and the skin can feel warm. There are two categories of erythromelalgia, consisting of primary and secondary. The former type may be associated with family history and can be more prevalent among children. The above symptoms can become debilitating and will generally affect both feet. The latter classification may be linked to autoimmune diseases or conditions that affect the blood and bone marrow and can be more common among adults. Research has shown that erythromelalgia may be linked to heavy metal poisoning, which may happen if exposed to air or water pollution, lead-based paints, or specific types of medication. There is no cure for this foot condition, but relief may be found by treating the symptoms. This can include taking aspirin, antihistamines, or other kinds of medicine. If you have symptoms of EM, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help offer relief options that are correct for you.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM of Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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

There are several reasons the top of your foot can hurt, including fractures and bruises. However, chronic foot conditions can also result in pain in this area. It is easy to forget how complex the foot is with its many tendons, muscles, joints, and bones. Health issues and foot injuries can upset the balance of the foot and cause pain and movement problems. The middle of the foot is referred to as the Lisfrank area, or the midfoot. It is made up of small bones that help form the arch of the foot. Pain in this area can be due to dropping something heavy on the foot, falling, or possibly from a  ganglion cyst pressing on a muscle or joint in the foot. A hairline fracture in this area of the foot from overuse or prolonged running can cause pain. Treatment ranges from rest to surgery. Due to the preponderance of reasons for this type of foot pain, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation and treatment based on an actual diagnosis.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM from Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner 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 Lafayette, CO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many people enjoy the summer months, despite the fact that this time of year can cause damage to the skin on the feet. This can be a result of excessive humidity, non-supportive shoes, and UV damage. There are effective methods to protect the skin during all seasons of the year, and this begins with practicing everyday foot care. Cracked heels may be prevented when the feet are washed and dried daily, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Additionally, many people may find it helps to soak their feet in Epsom salts, which can be useful in exfoliating dead skin. Protecting the feet with appropriate sunscreen can block damaging UV rays, possibly helping to eliminate sunburned feet. Additionally, it is beneficial to change socks frequently during the hot summer days, which can help to limit bacteria and bad foot odor. If you would like more information about effective foot care routines, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM from Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive sweating. Plantar hyperhidrosis affects the feet and can cause discomfort and embarrassment. There are approximately 125,000 sweat glands in each foot and they can work overtime in people who are afflicted with this condition. Hyperhidrosis affects approximately five percent of people nationwide and typically males are targeted more than females. There are two categories of hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood is known as primary or focal hyperhidrosis. When larger body areas are affected, this can be referred to as secondary hyperhidrosis which might be a side effect of taking certain medications. Suppose you sweat excessively beyond the average causes of running or exercising. In that case, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine which type of hyperhidrosis you have and offer you relief methods.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM of Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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

A plantar fibroma is an area of tissue that develops in the arch of the foot that can be painful, despite being benign. Several fibromas on the foot are referred to as plantar fibromatosis. The noticeable symptom of a plantar fibroma is an uncomfortable lump that slowly grows in the arch of the foot. The pain may worsen when the lump is touched or when standing for long periods. There is no known cause for why a plantar fibroma develops, however, enduring repetitive foot injuries may lead to tearing the plantar fascia which may promote the growth of a plantar fibroma. Patients have found mild relief when custom-made orthotics are worn and when specific stretches are performed. If you have a lump on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat a plantar fibroma.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM of Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner 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 Lafayette, CO . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Anyone who has encountered a blister on their foot is aware of the discomfort and inconvenience it can cause. A blister is defined as a small area of fluid that forms over skin that has become damaged for various reasons. A blister is the body’s natural response to healing raw skin, and it is successful in protecting the affected area until new skin has formed. A blister on the foot can be caused by excess friction, which may happen from the shoes and socks that are worn. They may be too tight and not fit well, causing the skin to endure unwanted pressure. A blister will gradually drain when the new skin has grown, and it is beneficial to refrain from popping it. If this happens, an infection may occur, and the condition may worsen. Many people choose to wear a bandage over the blister that can protect it while completing daily activities. If you develop blisters on your feet, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer you effective preventive techniques.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Deann Hofer Ogilvie, DPM of Ascend Foot & Ankle Center. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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