- Warts
- Arthritis
- FibromyalgiaNeuropathy that comes from sources like chemotherapy, infections, and diabetes can be effectively treated with this therapy, but so too can fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, neuritis, radiculopathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and even more.
- Plantar FasciitisPlantar Fasciitis – This is a problem with thickening and tightening in the plantar fascia band along your sole. It’s the most common source of heel pain in adults and can also cause soreness through the arches.
- CryotherapySome people have found their warts reacted to basic home remedies. Soaking the affected foot in diluted apple cider vinegar is one such method. Keeping the warts covered with strips of duct tape and then filing with an emery board is another common approach. Better home tips, though, are to use over-the-counter medication instead. Try mild salicylic acid to peel away those top infected layers of skin. Just make sure you don’t get any acid on your healthy skin. Over-the-counter cryotherapy medication is another option.
- Medical Weight LossWith our intentions for the New Year set to inspire us along the way, it can be helpful to learn about what exactly weight loss can potentially help you avoid when it comes to foot and ankle health. Untreated
- Primary CareBecause we do not participate with any insurance, you do not need a referral from your insurance or primary care provider to schedule.
- Smoking CessationThis wound is due to loss of blood flow to the small blood vessels causing the tip to turn black. There are ischemic changes to the third toe as well. This patient has a history of tobacco abuse, high cholesterol and Raynaud's disease. Treatment includes referral to a vascular surgeon for possible revascularization, smoking cessation, amputation and antibiotics for infection. Hyperbaric oxygen can also be a treatment option.
- Family PracticeDr. Kurlanski interviews Dr. Heidi Larson MD fellow direct care doctor. Dr. Larson is a primary care doctor and owner of Heidi Larson MD Family Medicine a direct care subscription practice.
- High Cholesterol
- Emergency CareAn older adult is treated in an emergency room every 11 seconds for injuries related to a fall. More importantly, an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes!
- Diabetic Foot CareThe most important aspect of diabetic foot care is how you take care of your feet at home. You see your feet every day—we don’t. Catching problems early, and seeking help promptly, is the best way to avoid serious complications, such as amputation of a toe or foot.
- Irritable Bowel SyndromeIf you have trouble with constipation or irritable bowel syndrome walking is good therapy. As you walk your digestive system is activated into movement. This movement stimulates your digestive tract to contract, allowing the passage of food and waste through your intestines. This makes for more regular bowel movements and less gas and bloating. A great time to go for a walk is first thing in the morning or after dinner.
- Kidney StonesRSWT is a fast and gently non-surgical method of reducing heel pain. It is derived from lithotripsy, a technique used today to disintegrate kidney stones without the use of invasive surgery. The Enpuls shockwave device delivers pneumatically-generated high pressure shock waves that travel through the skin. Inflamed soft tissue and bone calcifications that receive these high energy pulses will heal stronger without harm to the surrounding tissues. Electricity is not sent into the body. High energy pulsations of ultrasonic waves stimulate the body’s natural self-healing process.
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeNot all heel pain is from plantar fasciitis. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, one of which is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, but it occurs in the ankle. It is a result of compression of the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through the tarsal tunnel on the (medial) inside of the ankle. This compression can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness in the heel and foot. Typically folks have pain toward the end of the day with tarsal tunnel syndrome rather than pain when getting up from a seated position like with plantar fasciitis.
- Diabetes Care
- UltrasoundCortisone Injection - Best when the patient has specific point tenderness and under ultrasound guidance to pin point the area of inflammation. It is recommended that you not run for 2 weeks after the injection.
- MRIDiagnosis can be made by x-ray to evaluate for spurs and diagnostic ultrasound to evaluate the integrity of the plantar fascia and measure the thickness. Recalcitrant cases of heel pain may require further diagnostic testing such as blood work to rule out a systemic arthritis, MRI to evaluate for a plantar fascial tear or bone scan to rule out a stress fracture of the heel bone.
- X-Rays
- ChemotherapyThis particular treatment is a major advancement in the field of neuropathy care, but it can be beneficial to understand the condition being treated. Neuropathy is an issue that arises when damaged nerves cause cramping, impaired reflexes, muscle weakness, numbness, and burning, painful sensations. There are many possible conditions for nerve damage, including genetic defects, vitamin deficiency, alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, diabetes, and assorted underlying diseases.
- Orthopedics
- Wound CareThis ulceration was caused by friction and pressure in an uncontrolled diabetic. Treatment included antibiotics, debridement, wound care, offloading by taking pressure off the ulcer. The patient achieved control of his blood sugar with diet and adding insulin to his oral medication. The ulcer eventually went on to heal with an Apligraf and wound care. Prevention of future ulcers is achieved with periodic visits and extra depth diabetic shoes with diabetic inserts.
- Pinched Nerve
- Ankle Surgery
- Bunion Surgery
- BunionsThere’s a fantastic phrase about being rubbed “the wrong way.” The origin likely stems from the fact that cats only like to be stroked from head to tail. With a bunion, however, there is no “right way” of being rubbed. Bunions are easily irritated by friction, but understanding this foot condition is your first step to doing something about it.
- GangreneA diabetic patient with acute osteomyelitis (bone infection) of the great toe and cellulitis. It is considered "wet" due to the active infection and black necrotic tissue.
- Ingrown ToenailsExperts debate the necessity of nails in our modern life. Fingernails can help to grasp objects, but the nails down by your feet don’t seem to really have much use anymore. If anything, they merely provide an avenue for conditions like fungal infections and ingrown toenails. No matter what value they may or may not bring, it is important to address nail problems when they arise.
- Reconstructive SurgeryThis patient has a major deformity of the foot that causes him to walk on the outside of his foot. This, along with diabetes has caused him to ulcerate due to the added pressure. He is having a skin graft done soon to help him heal, and possible reconstructive surgery to correct the deformity.
- Skin CancerHow many of us consider that it might be possible to get skin cancer on our feet? Not only are our feet vulnerable to dangerous skin cancers caused by cumulative ultraviolet (UV) sun damage.
- CornsSometimes the smallest thing can be so painful! Seed corns feel like a rock embedded in the bottom of your foot.
- UlcerI have found over the years, I really like to treat wounds, especially diabetic wounds. There is something very satisfying about watching an ulcer transform into new skin.
- CallusesTo minimize the risk of infection, keep your feet clean, dry, and protected. Wash your lower limbs gently in warm water and dry thoroughly, including between the toes. A pumice stone can be used to carefully and gently scrub calluses and dry, dead skin. Use a moisturizer (everywhere but between the toes) to keep dryness and cracking at bay.
- FungusThe fungus likes to grow in warm, moist places like your shoes. Many patients pick up fungal toenail infections in the gym locker room, from a nail salon, wet shoes or from trauma. Fungus can stay in the nails for many years and can be passed from one person to another.
- LesionsCalluses can often be confused with plantar warts. Both lesions are benign, on the bottom of the foot and occasionally painful. So how do we tell difference?
- Skin CareSome conditions affect the inside structures of your feet—like fractures, sprains, muscle pulls, and pinched nerves. Then there are the ones that affect the outside covering—your skin and nails. Although some of these are caused by disease, many result from improper nail and skin care. Read on to learn what causes these problems and how to prevent and treat them.
- PsoriasisYou may be familiar with a skin condition called psoriasis that causes a scaly red rash on the body. What you may not know is that the feet can also show symptoms of psoriasis.
- Sports MedicineYou want to do something good for your body? Be active! This can entail running, swimming, playing sports, and a whole slew of other activities. Being active is coupled with eating well as the two fundamental pillars of physical health. Working out and exercising have a ton of benefits but, unfortunately, also come with the risk of sustaining sports injuries.
- Physical TherapyRSWT is especially beneficial for patients that have chronic heel pain and have not had much success with traditional therapies such as stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, and steroid injections.
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Back Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryFrom chronic heel pain, fungal nails and warts, Lighthouse Foot & Ankle Center is equipped to handle all your foot and ankle needs. Below are some of our Podiatry Services...
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Ankle Instability
- Ankle SprainOne way to treat these overuse injuries is with Kinesio Tape. Professional athletes use Kinesio tape to treat all kinds of should, hip, knee, foot and ankle injuries.
- Bunions ProblemsYou do not inherit the bunions but you inherit the foot type that may lead to bunions. Take a look at the feet of your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers. There may be bunions in your family that you were not aware of.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot CareIf you are living with diabetes, you should visit a podiatrist even if you are not experiencing any pain at present. Diabetes is often accompanied by various conditions that could become serious and it’s best to be proactive about your feet. We will establish a diabetic foot care plan that can help head off issues before they arise.
- Flat Feet
- Fungus ToenailsYou no longer need to feel embarrassed to wear open-toe shoes and sandals – or just go barefoot – because of toenail fungus or discoloration.
- HammertoesThis is commonly known as “hammertoe,” a condition where the muscles within the affected toe begin to weaken and cause digital contracture, i.e. abnormal tightening, which results in the physical deformity of the toe.
- Heel SpursA heel spur can be the cause of your heel pain. A heel spur is a calcium deposit that grows slowly as a small bony protrusion on the bottom of the heel bone.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Foot InfectionsAs a podiatrist, I often encounter patients struggling with fungal infections of the feet. Athlete’s foot infections can be uncomfortable, scaly, red, itchy, and persistent if not treated properly. Ignoring thick yellow crumbly toenails will spread if left untreated.
- Ingrown ToenailsAn ingrown toenail condition is marked by the side or corner of a nail growing into the soft flesh that surrounds it. This can lead to such symptoms as pain, swelling, redness, and even a potential infection. Whereas this condition can technically happen to any of the toes, it is most likely to be experienced by the big toe. In the event that you notice pus or redness that spreads, or are having severe pain in the area, it is important to make an appointment with our office for the professional treatment you need.
- Foot Injuries
- Foot NeuromaMorton's neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, specifically the area between the third and fourth toes. It is caused by the thickening of the tissue that surrounds one of the nerves leading to the toes, which can result in numbness, tingling, and burning.
- Toenail Problems
- Foot Warts
- Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis is the term commonly used to refer to heel and arch pain on the bottom of the foot. More specifically, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue, called plantar fascia, that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot where it attaches into the heel bone. Overpronation is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens the foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this causes inflammation. Pain is generally worse in the morning when first getting out of bed or when sitting for prolonged periods.
- Podiatric Deformities
- Podiatric OrthopedicsDr. Michele Kurlanski is an experienced podiatrist and a caring clinical professional. She is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Care. Dr. Kurlanski is a graduate of the University of Rochester and received her medical training at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in foot and ankle surgery at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. She is also a board certified wound care specialist and has surgical privileges at Maine Medical Center and Intermed Surgery Center. Dr. Kurlanski is a former president of the Maine Podiatric Medical Association.
- Podiatric Surgery
- Allergies