- Warts
- Arthritis
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Diabetes Care
- X-Rays
- Ankle Surgery
- BunionsOf all the parts of the foot, the big toe gets a lot of attention, in part because it does most of the work to support you and help you walk. It is also the location of bunions, which are among the most common sources of foot pain. A bunion is a misalignment of the bone at the base of the big toe. It can be caused by arthritis, genetics or an injury and may be positional (mild), structural (severe) or a combination of both types. High heels or poorly fitted shoes can lead to their development. No matter what the cause, an untreated bunion can cause a lot of pain because your body depends on the big toe and ball of the foot with every step.
- Ingrown ToenailsAn in-grown toenail can become infected, which is a point of concern to anyone, especially diabetic individuals. But according to Dr. Smith, evaluation and treatment are simple office procedures, sometimes including a trim or partial nail removal. A chemical can be applied to permanently prevent the in-grown part from coming back.
- Skin CancerMost people don’t realize that cancer can occur in the feet. In fact, several types of cancer can occur in feet and toes, including skin cancers, such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Other cancers include verrucous carcinoma, which is related to plantar warts, and Kaposi’s sarcoma, which can occur in European, Mediterranean or Jewish men.
- CornsOver time, the muscles and tendons may become even more imbalanced, making the bump on the joint more severe. When this happens, it may cause quite a bit of pain and rub against your shoes, leading to the buildup of corns. Hammer toes should be treated early to slow or stop the progression of the condition.
- Frostbite
- Calluses
- FungusHe explains athlete’s foot likes to settle on people who go barefoot, then wear tight, non-breathable shoes. The person picks up athlete’s foot while barefoot; the hot, humid conditions of closed shoes allow the fungus to thrive.
- LesionsPeople often ignore spots and moles if they don’t hurt. Unfortunately, this type of thinking is a mistake. Sometimes spots hurt and bleed and sometimes they don’t. Many precancerous lesions can be removed before they become malignant, if only people would pay attention to any changes to spots or to new spots or growths on their feet.
- Physical Therapy
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryDr. Smith graduated from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois in 1997. Following an internship at North Chicago Veterans Administration Medical Center, he received surgical training through Catholic Health Partners, which is affiliated with Northwestern School of Medicine in Chicago.
- Bunions ProblemsIn order to treat a bunion, Dr. Smith will do a thorough exam, including an X-ray to see the joint position. He will examine your foot to see how well the joint moves and whether the foot is affected in other ways. If the bunion hurts just a little, Dr. Smith may prescribe an orthotic shoe insert or recommend different shoes. If your bunion is severe and causing a lot of pain, surgery of the soft tissue and bone may be necessary to correct the joint.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot CareFeet are sometimes out of sight, out of mind, but for individuals with diabetes, it’s important to keep feet top of mind.
- Flat Feet
- Fungus ToenailsPeople who work and play outside may be providing the perfect conditions for a fungus to infect their toenails. Toenail fungus likes to hitch a ride on people who go barefoot. Then, when they put on closed shoes, the hot, humid conditions allow the fungus to thrive. The fungus makes toenails thick and yellow. The thickening of the nail can cause pain and discomfort.
- HammertoesLittle toes can become a big problem if they’re not given room to move. Those little toes actually perform a big job, helping you balance and move forward when you walk or run. When the front of the foot is very wide and shoes squish the toes, hammer toes can develop. The toe joints buckle and begin to look like little hammers, hence the name.
- Heel SpursMany people blame heel spurs for heel pain; however, the ligament joining the heel to the ball of the foot, called the plantar fascia, often plays a key role. This thick, fibrous band on the bottom of the foot acts like a bowstring to maintain the arch of the foot. It may be too loose, too tight or swollen for various reasons, from age to injury. Tight tendons, collapsing arches and weight gain are all possible triggers for heel pain.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Ingrown ToenailsYour big toe turns red, swells and throbs near the nail. What’s the culprit? It may be an in-grown toenail, the result of your nail growing into the surrounding skin.
- Toenail ProblemsDr. Smith stresses that diabetic people should perform a daily foot inspection to look for color changes, swelling, blisters, warts, calluses, or sores. Your feet should be free of any abnormalities. Contact a doctor immediately if you see sores, redness, discoloration, cracked/dry skin, toenail problems, or blisters. These seemingly minor problems can lead to infections and possibly even hospitalization.
- Podiatric SurgeryDr. Kevin Smith, D.P.M. has become the first podiatrist in the Quad-Cities to offer MLS laser therapy to his patients. The FDA-approved treatment is quick, painless and offers quick instant relief of pain, swelling and inflammation without side effects. The treatment has been used successfully to treat patients with heel pain, sprains and strains as well as relieving pain from arthritis of the foot, and helping to speed healing after foot surgery.