Growing old can be particularly problematic on your feet. The good news is that with a little attention and care, you can help lessen the impact many age-related foot conditions have on your health and avoid more serious problems down the road. Many foot conditions brought on by age—arthritis, stretched ligaments and tightened tendons, to name a few—can be helped by staying active, exercising and stretching to stay strong and flexible. Hammertoes can sometimes develop from years of wedging your feet into shoes that are too narrow in the toes. The best way to avoid hammertoes is to choose shoes that fit properly and are wider in the toe box. Fat pads that provide cushioning and shock absorption wear down with age. Orthotics and footwear with reinforced soles can help compensate for this loss of natural cushioning. Staying hydrated and moisturizing your skin can help make up for a loss of collagen due to age, which can lead to dry, cracked skin. For more tips and preventative foot care for aging adults, consult with a podiatrist.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

Although ankle sprains are a common type of sports-related injury, “high” ankle sprains are less likely to occur than common ankle sprains lower in the ankle. A high ankle sprain occurs when ligaments above the ankle joint, which hold the tibia and fibula bones together, become injured. Unlike common ankle sprains where the ankle typically rolls inward, high ankle sprains usually involve a forceful rolling out of the ankle, which may happen during certain contact sports. This can cause the ligaments to become damaged and fail in their duty to keep the tibia and fibula from spreading too far apart. While common ankle sprains usually present pain lower in the ankle, high ankle sprains can cause radiating pain from the front of the ankle upward. There may also be bruising and difficulty in bearing weight. To diagnose a high ankle sprain, a podiatrist will conduct an examination, which may include doing a fibular compression test, where the tibia and fibula are squeezed together at various points on the leg to check for radiating pain. X-rays may also be needed to distinguish a high ankle sprain from a fractured bone or other condition. If you believe you may have suffered a high ankle sprain, make an appointment with a podiatrist right away to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

The bony bump on the inside of your ankle is actually the end of your tibia bone. This anatomical region of the tibia is known as the medial malleolus and is also the inner bone of your ankle. The medial malleolus supports the ankle on the inside of the foot and attaches to the major (deltoid) ligament there. Although ankle fractures of the medial malleolus usually occur in tandem with other ankle bone fractures, an isolated medial malleolus fracture can occur when the foot is forcefully rotated/rolled outwardly or inwardly. The medial malleolus can also suffer from a stress fracture from repetitive activity which weakens it over time. Symptoms of a medial malleolus fracture may include swelling and bruising throughout the foot, pain on the inner part of the ankle, and even difficulty walking. In order to be diagnosed and treated properly and to make sure there are no other injuries to other bones or tissue, it is very important to be seen by a podiatrist if you experience any of these symptoms.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viral infections. When a certain type of HPV attacks skin on the soles of the feet, plantar warts may develop. It is generally believed that children are more likely than adults to develop plantar warts because they are more likely to go barefoot, have broken skin, or come in contact with infected surfaces in locker rooms and on playground equipment, towels, or other surfaces where HPV may be lurking. If you notice thick, callus-like areas on the bottom of your child’s feet, they may have plantar warts. They are typically flat and round and may be grey or brown with a grainy texture and ridged border—all of which helps distinguish them from regular calluses. You may even see a tiny black dot in the center of the wart, which is actually a clotted capillary. Plantar warts are often painful when walking or otherwise applying pressure on the bottom of the foot. If your child is complaining about pain on the sole of their foot or you detect something that looks like a plantar wart, it is best to seek the care of a podiatrist, as these hearty, contagious warts may spread and cluster, and are typically resistant to home remedies.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

The skin is an amazing sensory organ that protects the body from harmful elements, germs, and toxins, and also helps with regulating temperature and sensation. Wounds are caused by a cut, abrasion, or other trauma to the skin and can affect one or more layers. Superficial wounds typically affect only the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis. Deeper wounds can also affect the lower layer (dermis), the cushioning subcutaneous fat tissue below that, and even—in worst case scenarios—underlying muscle, bone, nerves, and tendons. It is important to seek medical treatment for deeper wounds to prevent complications such as infection and damage to underlying structures. This is especially important for people with diabetes whose ability to detect and heal wounds is diminished due to poor circulation and nerve damage associated with this disease. If you have a wound on your foot that is painful, swollen, tender, red, or bleeding, seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible for prompt treatment.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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