- ArthritisThe pain and stiffness you feel in your foot and ankle as youth subsides, could be arthritis. If left untreated, this pain can worsen, eventually becoming so excruciating that it is a task to walk even the shortest distance. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition caused by an irritation of the joint lining. People who suffer with rheumatoid arthritis almost always develop arthritis in some part of the foot or ankle.
- Diabetes Care
- X-Rays
- Bunion Surgery
- BunionsPoorly fitting shoes can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammer toes and other foot problems. You can prevent some of these problems by paying attention to how you select your new shoes.
- Corns
- Calluses
- Bunions ProblemsBunions, more common in women than in men, occur when the head of your metatarsal bone protrudes at the base of your big toe. To alleviate the pain, you might want to try less restrictive shoes and medications such as aspirin. In some cases, Dr. Merkle may recommend a splint to keep the toe aligned, or in more extreme cases, a bunionectomy. Done under local anesthesia, this might be done as outpatient surgery or with an overnight stay in the hospital. Something to keep in mind; patients who go to an orthopaedic specialist for bunion surgery typically report significant improvement after just six months, according to a major multi-center study conducted by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).
- Calluses
- HammertoesHammer Toe will most often affect the second toe, causing it to bend and assume a claw-like form. This can be a result of heredity, shoes that are too short,diabetes, or another form of illness. Hammer toe can be quite painful and can cause corns on the tops of the affected toes. To help prevent or relieve hammer toes, ensure properly fitted shoes. Corns should be treated with warm water baths, delicate use of a pumice stone and application of a calming, moisturizing lotion. Medical treatment can involve orthotic devices, corticosteriod injections for pain, or surgery that could correct the condition entirely.