Items filtered by date: January 2023

Patients who notice a lump on the sole of their foot will often visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. It may be a plantar fibroma, which develops in the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. A plantar fibroma is considered to be a rare and benign condition but it can be painful as shoes that are worn press against the offending lump. Additionally, pain and discomfort may be felt when standing for extended periods, or when walking barefoot. Research has indicated there is no cure for this condition so many patients will take steps to reduce the pain. This may be achieved by using oral or injected steroids, in addition to extracorporeal shockwave therapy, known as ESWT. If you have this condition, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine the best course of treatment. 

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Daniel Bell, DPM 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 Pembroke Pines and Plantation, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Many neophytes in the field of podiatry are already familiar with what a blister is because this foot condition is one of the most common afflictions of the feet. Blisters are essentially defined as what can form on the foot when fluid gathers beneath the upper layer of skin on the feet. Typically, a blister may develop on the feet in response to some kind of concentrated friction or pressure. Interestingly, blisters can develop on many different areas of the feet, including on the toes. For example, a toe blister may form on the outside of the big toe or pinky toe. Toe blisters can develop for many different reasons. Commonly, the blisters form when an individual wears shoes or hosiery that simply do not fit correctly. Often when shoes or hosiery do not fit correctly, they will rub up against the feet in a way that damages the skin and might cause a blister to form. One can decrease the extent to which shoes or hosiery cause blisters to develop by making sure that they fit correctly and do not cause friction with the toes. Contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Daniel Bell, DPM of Florida. Our doctor 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 Pembroke Pines and Plantation, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that is not limited to athletes. Anyone can contract the infection if exposed to the highly contagious fungi, known as dermatophytes, that cause it. The most common symptom of athlete’s foot is an itching and burning sensation between the toes or on the bottom of the foot, along with a scaly rash. You may also experience painful cracking of the skin, blistering, and thickening on the soles of the foot. While athlete’s foot is not considered to be dangerous, it can result in a secondary infection if bacteria enter the broken skin. The main complication of having athlete’s foot is infecting other parts of the body that have touched your feet. In addition, anyone sharing personal items or showering spaces with you is at increased risk of infection. Athlete’s foot is treatable with anti-fungal creams, lotions, powders, and sprays. If symptoms persist after a few weeks, please consult a podiatrist who can examine the infected area and prescribe medications or creams that are more potent.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Daniel Bell, DPM from Florida.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

The Achilles tendon is found in the lower half of the calf and connects the heel to the calf muscles. Repetitive use or a sudden injury may cause an Achilles tendon injury to occur, which can be a tear or a rupture. A rupture is considered to be a severe injury, and it is obvious as the tendon is completely torn in two. Walking is often difficult, if not impossible, and prompt medical attention is often sought for relief. A mild tear may be treated by wearing a cast or walking boot, which may be effective in keeping the foot stable as the healing process occurs. For complete ruptures, surgery may be necessary for proper healing. Complications may be minimal, and recovery time can take several weeks. If you have suddenly or gradually injured your Achilles tendon, please consult with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and offer the best treatment method for you.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Daniel Bell, DPM of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

Sometimes, certain afflictions of the foot can be so severe that they can only be treated properly by undergoing a kind of surgical procedure. It is important to note that foot surgery is not for everyone and you may not be a good candidate for particular surgical procedures. However, sometimes undergoing a surgical procedure can be beneficial and it might be the only way to treat severe conditions. For example, some individuals can benefit from a surgical procedure for Morton’s neuroma. This condition is defined as the swelling or inflammation of the nerve between the toes or metatarsal bones. The surgical procedure to address Morton’s neuroma consists of removing a small section of the nerve. An incision must be made to get to the damaged nerve and then the skin is quickly sewn up following the removal of the nerve. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about Morton’s neuroma or to learn if you might be a good candidate for surgery.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Daniel Bell, DPM of Florida. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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