Gout is a form of arthritis and it can create debilitating pain. It affects the joints in the big toe and it is caused by excess uric acid in the blood. This converts to crystals and lodges in the toe joints. There are specific foods that have high levels of purines in them that can lead to gout, consisting of red meat, shellfish, alcohol, and drinks that are made with large levels of sugar. The pain can last for several minutes or hours and is referred to as gout attacks. To obtain a proper diagnosis, a podiatrist may take a sample of the fluid in the joints to determine how to manage long-term gout. There are effective prevention techniques that may eliminate painful gout attacks. These include eating healthy foods daily, reducing alcohol intake, and incorporating a gentle exercise routine. If you would like additional information about how to manage gout and methods that may prevent it, please consult with a podiatrist.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Soorena Sadri, DPM from FootWorx Active Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

About 6.5 million people in the United States over the age of 40 have peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the extremities, but the condition is more common in the feet and lower limbs. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and high cholesterol. People over 60 are at further risk. The most common symptom of PAD is pain in the legs while active, but that subsides after resting. Sores in the legs or feet that don’t heal and cold or numb toes are other symptoms as well. If you believe you may have PAD, please consult a podiatrist for an examination and testing.  

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Soorena Sadri, DPM from FootWorx Active Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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

Toe pain can range from being irritating to debilitating, and it may be difficult to wear shoes and socks. Common causes for toe pain include bunions, nail conditions, or certain types of arthritis. Toe pain may develop suddenly or gradually, and symptoms can include a burning or prickling sensation. There are 14 bones in the toes, which are surrounded by muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. An injury to the toe is a common source of toe pain, in addition to having poor circulation. There are specific foot conditions that can cause toe pain, including hammertoe, tendinitis, or Morton’s neuroma. A severe infection may cause extreme toe pain, and could be accompanied by confusion, a high fever, or shortness of breath. Many times a proper diagnosis is performed, which generally consists of having an X-ray taken. Mild relief may come from elevating the affected foot with the shoe removed. If you are experiencing toe pain, please consult a podiatrist who can determine the cause and properly treat it.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Soorena Sadri, DPM of FootWorx Active Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Fort Myers, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Cuboid syndrome or cuboid subluxation is when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become injured or torn. Most commonly with cuboid syndrome, pain is felt on the side of the foot where the baby toe is. The discomfort might be greater when you put weight on the side of the affected foot, when you push on the arch of the foot, or pain might spread to other parts of the foot when you stand on the front of the toes. There may be redness and swelling near the site, as well as loss of movement or weakness in the ankle or side of the foot. One might also change the way they walk (such as limping or swaying from side to side) due to the pain they feel. This syndrome may be caused when the cuboid bone moves outward from the foot while the heel bone moves inward, which may dislocate one or more bones or tear nearby ligaments. It can happen from an ankle sprain, injury, overuse or repetitive strain on the foot, or flat feet. Athletes who participate in sports involving jumping, running, or moving from side to side are prone to cuboid syndrome. This condition can also occur from being overweight, having arthritis or osteoporosis, wearing shoes that are too tight or not sufficiently supportive, not stretching the foot properly before a workout or resting it long enough before engaging in physical activity again, or doing activity on surfaces that are not flat. If you think you might have cuboid syndrome or your foot hurts for longer than what might be a normal recuperation period, see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

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 Soorena Sadri, DPM from FootWorx Active Podiatry. Our doctor 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 office located in Fort Myers, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.