Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe pain in and around affected joints, often in the big toe. Gout is most common in older men. Symptoms include swelling, redness, tenderness, and severe pain in the affected joint. This condition, left untreated, can worsen. Gout attacks usually occur on the joint at the base of the big toe, but can affect every other joint in the foot. Many joints can be affected at once. Attacks happen quickly and can become worse. They may subside after a week or take longer to to heal. The primary cause of gout is an accumulation of uric acid in the body. This happens because of the breakdown of chemicals in the body known as purines. Usually, uric acid is secreted through the kidneys and urine, but when it is not, the substance begins to form crystals, which settle around joints, under skin, and even in internal organs. Eventually they find their way into spaces between bones that form a joint and begin to rub against joint linings, causing pain and inflammation. If you feel pain in your big toe, please see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose gout and provide appropriate treatment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Romeo Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors 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 offices located in Washington and Shelby Townships, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you are a runner, then you are undoubtedly familiar with the importance of selecting the right kind of running shoes. The shoes that you select for runs can have a significant impact on your gait and running form. Selecting shoes that are ill-fitting may lead to injuries or foot complications. One important consideration to keep in mind when shopping for a pair of running shoes is what kind of terrain you will be running on. For example, if you run on roads or sidewalks, you can select road-running shoes. These shoes can be used to run on pavement, and they are built with cushioning that keeps the feet balanced when repeatedly striking hard surfaces. It is important to note that this type of shoe is made for running on mostly even surfaces. On the other hand, if you run on trails, then you might consider purchasing trail-running shoes. This kind of shoe is made to traverse uneven terrain and it has cleats on the outsole for gripping purposes. The midsoles on this kind of shoe tend to be stiffer to help navigate these uneven surfaces. If you are a runner, contact a podiatrist for tips on selecting the best pair of running shoes. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Romeo Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Washington and Shelby Townships, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When the sweat on your feet gets trapped by unnatural shoe fibers or tight shoes and cannot evaporate quickly enough, this allows bacteria to begin to break the sweat down. This process is actually what creates the foul odor associated with feet. If you do not wash the sweat away or allow your shoes to air out properly, your feet and shoes will remain smelly. Warm climates, physical exercise, and certain types of shoes can naturally make feet sweat at times. This type of sweat is normal, as it is the body’s way of regulating temperature. However, if none of these factors is present and your feet are sweating persistently and excessively, this may be a condition called palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. If you find that you sweat through your socks, or that your feet slip and slide around in your shoes, or are always wet and white looking, you may have palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Also, your feet may smell due to being continuously wet, creating an environment where bacteria are always working to break the sweat down. All of these symptoms can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and disruptive to daily life. If you believe you may have palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat your condition. They may present treatment options ranging from topical medications and antiperspirants, to botox injections. In severe cases, a process using a mild electrical current through water may be successful in helping to regulate your sweat glands.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of Romeo Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Washington and Shelby Townships, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There is a rare foot condition that is known as Ledderhose disease, which causes hard lumps to develop on the bottom of the feet. It is a result of a build up of connective tissue, and can cause pain and discomfort. The lumps are generally benign, and can be related to other connective tissue diseases. Additional symptoms include foot and ankle pain, tight skin, and a sensation of pins and needles. There may be existing conditions that lead to Ledderhose disease, including chronic liver disease, prior foot injuries, and diabetes. Patients with a long history of alcohol use may experience symptoms of this condition. Mild relief may be found when soft shoe inserts are worn to provide adequate padding for the bumps. It can be beneficial to perform mild stretches, and many patients find it can help to get regular foot massages. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment options that may involve surgery for permanent relief.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Romeo Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Washington and Shelby Townships, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.