Blog Archive

As a podiatrist, one of the most dangerous and scary conditions I deal with is a diabetic foot ulcer. There are around 30 million Americans with diabetes and every one of them has a 25% chance of developing a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Once you have a diabetic foot...

While I get no financial support from the Hoka shoe company, I wanted to share my personal experience. I recently started wearing the Hoka Bondi 3. These shoes are what I would call a "maximalist" shoe. They are thick, slightly heavy and rugged. That said, they are the most comfortable...

For a healthy guy, I have had more foot conditions that I would care to admit. I always tell myself that is makes me a more empathetic foot doctor, but I promise I am not doing this stuff on purpose. A few months ago, I was walking barefoot by a...

Do you or someone you care about have swollen, discolored legs? If you answered yes, you may be dealing with chronic venous insufficiency. What is chronic venous insufficiency? When your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart, you have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is also sometimes...

As we are finally past the holiday season, I wanted to post an article about gout. This painful condition is always more frequent during the winter season of eating. What is gout, specifically? Gout is a disorder that results from the build-up of uric acid in the tissues or a...

Feeling embarrassed or ashamed of your feet is very common. According to a study of 500 women in 2008 by the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than 50% of women say their feet embarrass them "always, frequently, or sometimes." Let's be honest about feet. Many things can go wrong with...

The answer is, no. However, feet are complex structures made up of 28 bones, 33 joints, a host of tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves and blood vessels all wrapped in skin. Any of these can cause pain. Oh yeah, and you probably have two of them, so that doubles the risk!...

Recently, I read an article about a new and improved method to strengthen the plantar fascia. This article talks about using a step or a sturdy box and performing a heel lift type of movement. According to the article, which can be found in the New York Times and all...

Well, it is that time of the year again. The big game is finally this Sunday. With all the talk of deflated footballs we have not talked much about pain and injury. This time of year all football players are in some type of pain. If you watched Aaron Rodgers...

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? The blood supply of the leg is transported by arteries and veins. The arteries carry blood from the heart to the limbs; veins carry blood back to the heart. The leg contains superficial veins, which are close to the surface, and deep veins, which lie...

Chronic Ankle Instability Do you frequently sprain your ankles? Do you feel like your ankles are weak? Is your gait (walking pattern) unsteady? Is balance an issue? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you may suffer from chronic ankle instability. What is Chronic Ankle Instability? Chronic ankle...

How Does a Bone Heal? All broken bones go through the same healing process. This is true whether a bone has been cut as part of a surgical procedure or fractured through an injury. The bone healing process has three overlapping stages: inflammation, bone production, and bone remodeling. •Inflammation starts...

What is the Accessory Navicular? The accessory navicular (os navicularum or os tibiale externum) is an extra bone or piece of cartilage located on the inner side of the foot just above the arch. It is incorporated within the posterior tibial tendon, which attaches in this area. An accessory navicular...

What is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage, the connective tissue found at the end of the bones in the joints, protects and cushions the bones during movement. When cartilage deteriorates or is lost, symptoms develop...

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease in which certain cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints. RA causes inflammation in the lining (synovium) of joints, most often the joints of the hands and feet. The signs of inflammation can include pain, swelling, redness,...

What is a Puncture Wound? Puncture wounds and cuts are not the same. A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object -- for example, a nail that you step on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that doesn't produce a "hole" but rather...

What is a Sesamoid? A sesamoid is a bone embedded in a tendon. Sesamoids are found in several joints in the body. In the foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint. Acting as a pulley for tendons, the...

What is Malignant Melanoma? Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the skin that produce pigmentation (coloration). It is also called malignant melanoma because it spreads to other areas of the body as it grows beneath the surface of the skin. Unlike many other types of cancer,...

What is Charcot Foot? Charcot foot is a sudden softening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy). The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the arch collapses...

What are the Peroneal Tendons? A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. In the foot, there are two peroneal tendons. They run side-by-side behind the outer ankle bone. One peroneal tendon attaches to the outer part of the midfoot, while the other tendon...

Special Report on Big Toe Arthritis Each day, with every step you take, your big toe bears a tremendous amount of stress -- a force equal to about twice your body weight. Most of us don't realize how much we use our big toe. We tend to take it for...

This weekend two of my interests intersected in a gruesome way. Jon Jones retained his title in the UFC by defeating Chael Sonnen. In the course of the fight, Jones broke his big toe and the fracture actually broke through the skin. It was quite a nasty fracture. "Bones" Jones...

What is chronic venous insufficiency? Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body and veins return oxygen-poor blood back to your heart. When your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart, you have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is also sometimes called...

New study finds that wearing minimalist running shoes, Vibram FiveFingers in particular, can lead to greater risk of bone injuries in the foot among runners. Slow transitions into minimalist shoes can help prevent injury. Always consult your podiatrist before changing to minimalist foot wear to keep your feet in the...

The structure of your foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Of the 28 bones in your foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot). Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones (broken toes) are common and require...

Heel pain in children is very common. It is often termed "growing pains" and it is more common after a growth spurt. The medical term for this condition is Calcaneal apophysitis, also known as Sever's disease. Although not a true "disease," it is an inflammation of the heel's growth plate...

Peripheral vascular disease goes by many names. PVD, PAD, arteriosclerosis, blockage of leg arteries, claudication, intermittent claudication, vaso-occlusive disease of the legs, arterial insufficiency of the legs and poor blood flow of the legs, are all names used to refer to this common condition. Regardless of what you call it,...

Thick, yellow, crumbly toenails are so common that we either all have them, or know someone who does. Based on the most recent studies, the numbers are somewhere between 2-20% of the population that is affected by nail fungus. We do know that genetics has a lot to do with...

The eyes of the world will soon be on London and the Summer Olympics. With that in mind, this is a special report on a few common problems that athletes have with their feet. So join us in cheering on Team USA and if you have any of these problems...

Hello fellow weekend warriors. Today, I am writing about a subject that makes me worry just a little bit. I am 33 years old now and the prospect of an Achilles tendon rupture is all too real. Luckily, I know a few good foot doctors! What is the Achilles Tendon?...

What is Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)? Seemingly overnight, one or both of your arches have flattened. You don’t remember your foot looking like this in the past. What has happened? What is going on? You probably have a condition called posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) commonly called “fallen arches.”...

Special Report on Heel Pain Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Also called "heel spur syndrome," the...

What is a Plantar Wart?A wart is a small growth on the skin that develops when the skin is infected by a virus. Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but typically they appear on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar warts most commonly occur in children, adolescents,...

What is Gout?Gout is a disorder that results from the build-up of uric acid in the tissues or a joint -- most often the joint of the big toe. An attack of gout can be miserable, marked by the following symptoms:• Intense pain that comes on suddenly -- often in...

Although bunions are a common foot deformity, there are many misconceptions about them. Many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment.What is a Bunion?Bunions (hallux valgus) are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more...

What is Hammertoe?Hammertoe is a contracture--or bending--of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop. Common symptoms of hammertoes include:• Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing...

What is a Neuroma?A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs at the base of the third and fourth toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal...

What is an Ankle Sprain?An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue -- like rubber bands -- that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint,...

Special Report on Ingrown NailsIf you have ever had an ingrown toenail, you know the feeling. All of a sudden you have this sharp pain at the side of your toe. If you are like me and have had a few ingrown nails, the pain in your toe immediately creates...

We at Sarasota Foot Care Center believe that you not only treat the foot and ankle, but the person attached to that foot and ankle. As such, we just want to remind our patients that we are involved in ALL ASPECTS of your lower extremity health. We not only treat...

First of all, what are orthotics? Orthotics are custom made devices that fit inside your shoes and improve the function of your feet and ankles. You can think of them as “glasses for your feet.” Just like a pair of glasses causes your eyes to function in the proper way,...

Many people have debated wether or not to call NASCAR a true "sport" and wether or not to call NASCAR drivers true "athletes." Last week at Pocono Raceway a young driver named, Brad Keselowski proved that "athlete" or not, he had great courage and a will to win. Having broken...

This guy wins the prize for taking things into his own hands. You may have heard the expression, "if you want to make an omelette you have to break a few eggs." This gentleman in England had a wart on his finger for several years. He claims to have tried...

We have all seen the commercials. The sexy women with the great rear ends bounce around as the voice over guy tells you that you too can have a body like this if you would only buy Sketchers Shape-Up shoes. No dieting or gym required...just plunk down your money and...

Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls superstar and likely leage MVP, had some good news the other day. The x-rays on his injured left ankle came back negative. That is to say that there is no fracture of the bones. The ligaments, soft tissues that hold bones together, can not be...

Why are all those people barefoot? What is going on? Today, April 5th 2011, is the annual day without shoes. This event was started on a college campus about 5 years ago and has really stated to generate buzz over the past couple of years. In fact, last year over...

Do you remember the Lamisil commercials with the yellow little creature that lived under the toenails? The ad campaign was very popular and the little yellow creature was called Digger the dermatophyte. A dermatophyte is a fungus that lives on skin or nails and if you have thick, yellow, crumbly...

If you are one of the 35 million Americans that have thick, yellow, ugly toenails than this information is for you. A new and exciting treatment option is finally available. No more will you have to hide your toenails. No more will you have to take a pill that may...

We have all seen the commercials. Joe Montana sells the Shape-Up shoe for Sketchers and various models bounce around with tight shorts showing off the great butts they supposedly attained simply wearing a toning shoe. Sorry, but you mother was correct...if it seems to good to be true, it probably...

If you have been to the drug store or grocery store lately you may have noticed the Dr. Scholl's machine. It looks impressive enough, with colorful images of your feet that show the different pressures. After standing on the machine for a few seconds it spits out a number and...

There has been a lot of interest and confusion when it comes to the newest treatment for Onychomycosis (fungal toenails). There are a few companies that have been marketing their product to podiatrists and the public. The systems that are now available differ in their delivery systems as well as...

The New York Mets second baseman, Louis Castillo, could end up on the disabled list due to a foot injury. The injury is being reported as a bone bruise of the left foot. What is a bone bruise? Most people think a bone is either broken or not. In order...

For a long time now, scientists have know that there are certain genetic variants that increase the likelyhood of obesity. One of those gene clusters, the FTO gene, is affectionately called the "fatso" gene. This genetic variant is very common. In fact, 1 in 6 people have the FTO gene...

British soccer star and frequent tabloid subject, David Beckham, tore his Achilles tendon in a game in Italy this weekend. The footballer will miss all of the World Cup and probably most of the MLS season due to the injury. Becks, as the British press is so fond of calling...

In case you missed it, Dwight Freeney, the All-Pro defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts had a very good game during the Superbowl, despite a torn ligament in his right ankle. But wait, he only injured his ankle 2 weeks ago...how is he playing football when my doctor told me...

Good news for all you Starbucks fanatics out there. A recent analysis of several studies has shown something of a protective effect of coffee and tea when concerning Type 2 Diabetes. The researches are not exactly sure what is garnishing this protective effect. It is not specifically caffine because decaf...

Previously reported on this blog, I am both a foot doctor in Sarasota, Florida and a New York Giants football fan. The latest out of New York is that Eli Manning has more to worry about than his long suffering plantar fasciitis. Now it has been reported that Eli has...

Recently there has been a lot of press about Suri Cruise and her little silver high heels. There is nothing quite like a celebrity (or the child of one) to bring these types of things to the forefront of the public consiousness. So, should kids wear high heels? My answer...

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Kind of ironic when you think that you have most of the major holidays in this time of year. The average American gains several pounds and for a diabetic and their family, this can be a very challenging time of year. Staying consistent with your eating...

Unfortunately, three people died recently in the Detroit Marathon. The news media has made a very big deal of this. Are marathons "death races?" It is very risky to run a marathon? Let's look at the facts and stay away from the sensational news headlines.The deaths are certainly very sad,...

My worlds collided last week as a New York Giants football fan and as a podiatrist living in Sarasota, Florida. I was watching the game when quarterback, Eli Manning pulled up lame after planting his right heel on a play action pass. My first thought was, "I really hope that was...

The ABC network's very popular reality show, "Dancing with the Stars" has to deal with yet another foot related injury. Headlines were made when Olympic gold medalist and contestant on the show, Misty May-Treanor tore her Achilles Tendon. In fact, at the time I was interviewed by the local Sarasota news...

Being baseball season, I think the triple play analogy works well for treating fungus toenails.....treat the nails, treat the skin and treat the shoes.   As most of you know, it can be very difficult to cure fungus toenails. And once you do clear the nails of the fungus, there...

This weekend is Labor Day, that annual bookmark reminding us that Summer is over and football season is about to start. Here in beautiful Sarasota, Florida, it is a welcome sign that cooler days are ahead. Labor Day also just happens to be a great excuse to go to the...

Don't you love sensational headlines like the title of this blog? I took that little gem right off the front page of a major Internet news source. I know there is a lot of news out there and they are trying to get our attention, but this useless scare tactic just bothers...

Living in Sarasota, Florida we really are spoiled. The beaches are so beautiful and the sand is amazing. I just got back from a few days in Costa Rica. The country really is naturally beautiful but the beach consists of a muddy, black sand and rocks. Not exactly like Siesta...

According to some recent studies, 66% of diabetics have some form of neuropathy. Neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves. It causes numbness, tingling, loss of balance and in about 10% of cases pain. Those people who have suffered with painful diabetic neuropathy have only a few treatment options. There are several pills that...

Feet are prone to more injury than any other part of the body according to the American Podiatric Medial Association (www.apma.org). One good way to limit these injuries is to wear properly fit shoes. I am often asked, "What is a good shoe?" This is an impossible question to answer. The question...

There are many blood thinners on the market. Aspirin thins the blood but that is not what I am talking about here. I am talking about a group of medications that are used for no other purpose then to slow the clotting of blood. The medications I speak of are: Coumadin, Warfarin, Lovenox and...

Diabetes is one of the biggest medical issues facing this country and it is only getting worse. One in 3 Americans born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their life. The direct and indirect costs of diabetes are absolutely enormous.Feet and legs are disproportionately affected by diabetes. In fact,...

Do your feet tingle and burn, usually worse at night? Do your feet feel numb? Do you feel like your balance is off recently? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" you may have peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is a condition affecting millions of Americans. The most likely cause of neuropathy is Diabetes....

There are so many wonderful things your parents can pass on to you: stocks, fine china, a condo at the beach...but what about bunions? Yep, that is right, bunions. An enlarged, boney bump on the big toe side of the foot, that can cause pain and difficulty fitting in shoes,...

Happy New Year! Now is a time of new beginnings. A time when we all look at our lives and try to make things better for next year. It also happens to be the end of the holiday season. A season that, on average, leads to 9 pounds of weight...

Warts are a very common skin condition that affects the feet. Kids and teens are the most likely group to get warts but they can occur at any age. There is much confusion and folklore out there about what causes warts and how you can cure them. First of all,...

It is that time of year again. The time when cookies and snacks are everywhere. It is the holiday season. The winter holidays are a great way to stay cheerful during the dark, cold part of the year. One mainstay of the holiday season is sweets. We all indulge a...

There is some very exciting news in the world of paralysis of the foot and leg. A condition called drop foot, a weakness of the muscles used to raise the foot and toes, can be the result of many different neurological problems. These problems include stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple...

"Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading rusher Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right ankle during last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Graham limped off the field after his only carry against the Vikings. The Bucs said he hurt his ankle, but did not release...

Hockey players are tough. You have to be tough to play a game where getting hit with a stick or a puck is just part of the job. I have seen hockey players getting their faces stitched up on the bench and then return to the game but I was...

Veterans day has come and gone without much fanfare. I think is very easy for us to forget what our service men and women do for all of us, everyday, to ensure our freedoms. I had the great pleasure of taking care of a Vietnam veteran recently in the office....

Sarasota Foot Care Center has started their shoe drive for the needy. We will be collecting slightly worn/used athletic shoes which will be given to the local Salvation Army Center. They will then distribute the shoes to the individuals in need. Currently the drop off location is at the main...

The NBA season has just started and already the Portland Trailblazers are dealing with an injury to their highly anticipated rookie. Greg Oden, the first overall draft pick last year, missed his entire first year due to an injury of his knee. Last night he started his very first NBA game...

It has been reported that 7'7'' UNC Asheville basketball player, Kenny George, had a partial amputation of his foot because of MRSA infection. He developed this infection while at a basketball camp during the summer. It appears that even with early treatment that this aggressive infection could not be controlled...

Dr. Craig Conti was interviewed on WWSB-TV Sarasota on the recent injury of Misty May Trainor. Here is the link to his interview with Heidi Godman. http://www.mysuncoast.com/global/story.asp?s=9171955

Welcome to the Sarasota Foot Care Center blog. We will be posting information about foot and ankle care along with stories to help improve your health and active lifestyle. Send your comments and questions and we will try to answer as many as possible.