Find out the serious risks that could affect your health if you don’t treat an ingrown toenail.

Ingrown toenails may seem rather innocent and unthreatening, but this isn’t a condition that should just be ignored. Besides the pain and discomfort it can cause there are further complications that can arise if you don’t properly care for the problem. Find out the dangers of having ingrown toenails and when you should see your Bethlehem podiatrist Dr. Jonnica Dozier for treatment.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is when the corner or side of the nail grows into the skin causing pain, swelling and redness. While this can occur in any of the toes it is most common in the big toe.

Why should an ingrown toenail be treated?

While there are some patients that can treat their problem with warm water soaks, wearing proper footwear, taking pain relievers and using antibiotic cream, if these conservative at-home measures don’t work then you need to see your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist Dr. Dozier for treatment.

By either lifting the nail and placing cotton under it or partially removing the nail we can alleviate your symptoms and ensure that your toenail grows back healthy. But if you don’t treat the issue the infection can spread to the bone and cause a serious bone infection. This is a particular concern for those with diabetes, nerve damage in the feet and poor circulation. In patients with these conditions even minor injuries to the foot or toenail could lead to severe complications including gangrene so it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

If you are dealing with an ingrown toenail or you notice any changes to your feet it’s important that you see your foot doctor Dr. Dozier in Bethlehem, GA right away. Premier Podiatry Inc. offers a comprehensive range of services that will keep you on your feet and pain-free.

Don’t let heel spurs affect your day-to-day activities. Find out how to handle your symptoms.

Heel spurs are a common source of foot pain for many patients. While most cases are mild there are some people who have to change their entire routines to accommodate their condition. Don’t let foot problems keep you from physical activities and your daily routine. Your Bethlehem podiatrist Dr. Jonnica Dozier is here to offer up valuable tips for reducing your heel spur symptoms.

What are heel spurs?

A heel spur is a bony growth that juts out from the bone of the heel. These spurs are associated with inflammation of the soft tissue, or fascia, in the foot. Heel spurs can be found on the back of the heel or under it, as well as under the sole of the foot.

What are the symptoms of heel spurs?

Many heel spurs don’t cause symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that some people don’t experience pain with them. If you are physically active then you may be more likely to notice pain and tenderness while running or walking.

The pain you experience isn’t from the heel spur itself but from plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition that often goes hand-in-hand with heel spurs. Those with plantar fasciitis describe the pain as knife-like. It tends to be particularly intense first thing in the morning, but eases throughout the day.

How are heel spurs treated?

There are a variety of methods for treating your heel spurs. In the beginning your Bethlehem foot doctor will recommend various conservative treatment options to reduce your heel pain, such as:

• Shoe recommendations
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Taping or strapping
• Over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers (Tylenol)
• Corticosteroid injections

Up to 90 percent of patients are able to get rid of their symptoms without needing surgery. But the other 10 percent may find that these treatments fall flat. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms for up to one year and haven’t been able to reduce your symptoms, then we will want to discuss your surgical treatment options. The two most common surgeries are used to release the plantar fascia tissue or to remove the bone spur. We will discuss whether surgery is right for you during your consultation.

If you haven't noticed any improvement in your condition, then it’s high time you saw an expert! Turn to your Bethlehem podiatrist at Premier Podiatry Inc., and let us give your feet the TLC they need.

Don’t let bunion pain limit your daily life. Some of these at-home measures could help you!

While your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist Dr. Jonnica Dozier can offer up a variety of treatment options to help with severe bunion problems, there are also many things you can do from the comfort of your own home. Try out some of these handy hints the next time your bunion gives you issues.

Conservative Care

Choose the proper footwear: You can imagine that shoving your feet into tight shoes, pointed toes or high heels is only going to put pressure on your bunion, so why would you do it? Replace these uncomfortable shoes with ones that offer your toes room to wiggle and move around. Furthermore, only wear shoes that have little or no heel to them and offer good arch support.

Take anti-inflammatories: Non-prescription medication can offer a reprieve from your bunion symptoms. If you are experiencing pain and/or swelling then try taking Tylenol or an over-the-counter NSAID like ibuprofen, which can help target both symptoms. Feel free to talk to your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist to find out which over-the-counter pain medication would be best for your health.

Wear bunion pads: Orthotics, bunion pads and even arch supports can help take pressure off certain areas of the feet, including the big toe. While over-the-counter shoe inserts can help some patients, many find that these one-size-fits-most products actually do more harm than good. Therefore, it’s best to ask your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist about the different kinds of custom-made orthotics we offer and which one would give you the relief you need.

Ice sore feet: Another way to combat pain and swelling, particularly if you aren’t a fan of taking medication, is to ice your feet. Remember to never place ice directly on your skin; always wrap the ice in a cloth first. Then apply the ice to the affected joint for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time several times throughout the day. In between icings position your foot so it’s level with your heart. This will help reduce swelling.

Physical therapy: Talk to your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist about certain strengthening and stretching exercises you can do daily from the comfort of your home to help reduce bunion symptoms and make it easier to move around without pain. While this won’t be beneficial for everyone, it can offer relief to some patients.

Bunion Surgery

If you’ve exhausted all of your treatment options, if your bunion is interfering with your daily activities or if your condition is severe then you may want to talk to your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist about bunion surgery. The main purpose of surgery is to realign the toe joint. There are many different kinds of bunion surgeries and the best kind for your feet will depend on the severity of your condition. We would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your surgical options.

If you aren’t experiencing relief from your bunion pain or if you are interested in bunion surgery then it’s time to call Premier Podiatry, Inc. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Unfortunately, ankle sprains are a very common injury to the foot. One can easily roll their ankle when stepping off a curb awkwardly, planting your foot in the wrong place, or tripping over an object. In fact, thousands of people injure their ankles in this way every single day. At Premier Podiatry of Bethlehem, GA we can teach you what to do if you've rolled your ankle.

RICE

Begin with the RICE plan.

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

First, rest your ankle and do not walk or stand on it. If you have crutches available, use those. Try not to bear any weight on it.

Next, ice will help to keep the swelling down. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin. Place the ice or ice pack into a towel first to provide a barrier between the ice and your skin to avoid frostbite. Place the ice on your injury for 20 minutes at a time, giving rest periods in between.

Compression will help to alleviate swelling and can also help to immobilize your ankle to avoid further injury.

Finally, you'll want to elevate your foot by placing it on a pillow so that your ankle is higher than your waist. This will also help to keep swelling down.

How Long Will It Take To Heal?

Depending on the severity of your ankle injury, you may need additional healing time. Talk to your podiatrist about your injury to see if additional treatment is necessary. Premier Podiatry of Bethlehem, GA treats many types of foot and ankle injuries.

Once your injury has begun to heal, your podiatrist may recommend rehabilitative exercises to restore your ankle's function. These will include exercise routines that are designed to strengthen the muscles and ligaments. These should be done before you return to your full, normal range of activities. Rehabilitating your ankle will help to avoid re-injuring it again in the future.

With any foot injury, it's important to see a podiatrist who can give you a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If you have injured your ankle or foot, schedule an appointment with your Bethlehem, GA podiatrist Dr. Jonnica Dozier, D.P.M. today to begin the healing process.

There are multiple causes of heel pain in Bethlehem; however, this doesn’t mean you just have to tough it out. There are several things you can do from the comfort of your own home to help reduce your symptoms and make walking a little easier. If even doing everyday tasks is a challenge because of your heel pain, try these three simple ways to ease your foot problems.

Orthotics

Orthotic devices are custom-made insoles and cushions that go into your shoes to help feet absorb shock, increase stability and take pressure off certain parts of the foot. One type of orthotic that would help with heel pain would be a soft heel cushion that supports your heel and absorbs some of the shock while walking.

While you can buy orthotics at any drugstore, if you want one that fits your condition and will actually offer the best results, then you’ll want to talk to your Bethlehem podiatrist about custom-made orthotics. We have a variety of different kinds that cater to a host of different foot conditions.

Stretching/Strengthening Exercises

There are several passive and active stretches that can help improve your foot’s mobility and range of motion. One great exercise for heel pain is to roll a tennis ball under your foot in the regions where you experience the most issues. The tennis ball will both massage and stretch the inflamed fascia.

Medication

Most of the time patients will experience some relief with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can be particularly helpful during early stages of heel pain. Medication along with stretching exercises will go a long way to alleviate pain and reduce inflamed, irritated fascia. However, if you don’t notice any relief from your symptoms talk to your Bethlehem podiatrist about whether prescription pain medications or corticosteroids could help.

If you still find that these at-home options don’t alleviate your symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse, contact your Bethlehem podiatrist to schedule an appointment. Don’t let heel pain keep you from living your life. Call us today!