December 2017

Patrick Duffy is best known for his role in Dallas as Bobby Ewing. He is an accomplished American actor who is rumored to be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma. According to National Enquirer, Patrick Duffy is suffering from a very painful foot condition.

Morton’s Neuroma is a kind of condition that affects the nerves of the feet, mainly the area between the third and fourth toes. This condition causes the nerves around the feet to swell, causing the feet to feel pain. Dr. Jonathan Kletz  is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

What are some of the causes of Morton’s Neuroma?

• If one of the nerves of the foot is injured, pressure or irritated, Morton’s Neuroma happen.
• Wearing ill-fitting and high heeled, and tight shoes cause extra pressure on the toes and the area around the ball of your foot.
• Participating in high impact exercises and sports such as jumping, running, or hiking will cause the feet a repetitive trauma.
• People who have foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, and other foot deformities are prone to develop Morton’s Neuroma.

What are some ofthe signs and symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?

• You can feel a burning sharp pain and numbness on the bottom of your foot
• The pain gradually increases while walking and decreases when at rest
• Tingling sensation in between your toes

Wearing high-heeled shoes and standing for a long period of time contributes to the development of Morton’s Neuroma too. If the signs and symptoms persist, visit a podiatrist right away so he can suggest a procedure to reduce the symptoms or recommended ways on how to treat it.

How to treat Morton’s Neuroma?

The treatment will depend on the duration of the condition and its severity. If your Morton’s Neuroma becomes severely painful, your podiatrist will start treating you using a conservative and non-surgical methods. Always check with your Podiatrist before any treatment plan. Here are some of the non-surgical ways on how to treat Morton’s Neuroma at home:

• Avoid using high-heeled and tight shoes. Wear something comfortable to allow your foot to breathe.
• Wear orthotic pads and metatarsal pads to provide a good arch support.
• Exercising and losing weight will help reduce the strain on the feet.
• Use anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain
• A steroid injection medication can relieve the pain instantly.

How to prevent Morton’s Neuroma?

Preventing Morton’s Neuroma is not always possible but wearing and using low-heeled shoes can reduce the risk. Symptoms will go away eventually and it has the possibility not to return again. 

At Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people suffering from chronic foot pain.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.    

Your feet carry the most of your weight and the pressure it takes may be too great for it to handle. Of all the structures in your feet, one of the most affected are your small toes. Because it is constantly pushed against the big toe. These are also being pressed against the sides of the shoes.

Deformities and conditions of the small toes are because of human improper use of their foot and foot wears. However, there are two conditions of the small toes that are considered perfectly normal and part of a person’s development, particularly the child. Though, if they reach a certain age and these conditions are still there, then appropriate treatment might be needed.

In toeing

Also called “pigeon toes”, in toeing is the condition of your foot where it points inward. Most parents, especially the first time parents, often worry once they see in toeing on their child. However, please be assured that it is perfectly normal and correct itself without intervention before your child reaches 8 years old. Consult a podiatrist for proper treatment. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people foot deformities.

Metatarsus adductus – a curve on your child’s foot. This straightens as the child grows up in 9 out of 10 children. If this does not go away, your doctor might cast or brace the affected foot to straighten it normally at age 4-6 months to correct the problem before your child starts to walk.

Internal tibial torsion – a twist in the tibia and usually noticed when the child starts walking. This is treated by using a bar with shoes. However, most children do not want to wear them while some opt for surgery to cut the bones and rotate the foot outward.

Excess femoral anteversion – an inward twist of the femur and usually seen around 2-4 years of age. The foot normally straightens naturally by age 6-8 years old. Surgery is only done when the anteversion is very severe and cause problems with the child’s walking ability.

Out toeing

This condition is the opposite of intoeing where the foot is pointing away and facing outwards. Though it is not as common as intoeing, your child may walk with toes pointing outward when they reach a couple years old.

Flatfeet – absence of arch on a foot, hence, it looks as if it’s pointing outward. This does not require any treatment at all.

External tibial torsion – an outward twisting of the leg bone and often accompanied by pain. This usually happens in adolescence and not with kids.

Femoral retroversion – an outward twist of the femur and may predispose a child to juvenile arthritis or slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Hip contracture – infants are born with hips in external rotation. The externally rotated hip will naturally heal on its own hence no treatment are usually required.

Treatment: Normally, treatments are not done for out toeing as the cases are rare and resolve by itself. However, if the case is quite severe, a surgical procedure might be done to cut the bone and position the foot correctly.

At Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people suffering from foot conditions.    To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.   

Even Hollywood stars get stinky feet and Lindsay Lohan is no exception. Friends of the actress revealed Lindsay Lohan’s might have athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot can be smelly, itchy, and really embarrassing.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal eruption in the foot that is common in athletes and non-athletes. It is a skin inflammation that can quickly spread to the toenails and surrounding areas. Athlete’s foot is not a serious disease but it is hard to cure especially if you have diabetes or a weak immune system.

What causes athlete’s foot?

Athletes foot is caused by the very same fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch. These organisms grow in a damp, warm, and humid environment such as showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms. You can catch the fungus through direct contact with an infected person or touch contaminated surfaces.

Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with athlete’s foot and other types of foot conditions.

What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?

• Here are the following signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot:
• Scaly, red rash that begins in between the toes and on the soles of the feet
• Burning, stinging and itching between the toes
• Blisters or ulcers on the feet that itch
• Chronic dryness on the feet especially between the soles and the toes
• Raw skin on the feet
• Discolored, crumbly, and thick toenails
• The infection can affect both your feet and can spread most especially if you scratch the infected parts.

How to treat athlete’s foot?

Using over the counter medications can help treat athlete’s foot. If using these medications are not successful, your doctor may prescribe a topical antifungal medication to clear up the infection.

There is no need for you to stay away from school or work if you have athlete’s foot. Just keep your feet covered until the rash is gone and try not to scratch the affected skin to avoid it from spreading.

How to prevent athlete's foot?

The following are simple tips on how to help prevent athlete’s foot infection:

• Always wash your feet with soap and water thoroughly and dry them
• Avoid sharing socks, shoes, or towels
• Wear socks made of breathable fiber
• Go barefoot and let your feet breathe when you are at home
• Alternate wearing two shoes
• Put anti-fungal powder every day
• Wear sandals in public places
• Change your socks when your feet get sweaty
• Wear shoes made of breathable materials

At Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people suffering from athlete’s foot. To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.

Bones are some of the hardest and most resilient structures in the body. However, even this has its limits and injury can occur anytime. A talus fracture in particular is one which occurs when there is a bone breakage in the ankle.

Bone healing can be a lengthy process especially for bones that have suffered a severe fracture. This is often caused by high impact accidents such as vehicular accidents or direct application of force to the ankle. Surgical treatments can be very difficult and recovery even more complicated. This is why recovering from a talus fracture should not be taken lightly.

Visit a podiatrist if you suspect a talus fracture has occurred. This is for proper diagnosis and treatment of your foot condition. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with Talus fractures.

Immediate treatment

Rest the foot if you suspect an injury. This is to prevent further injury to the ankle. Applying ice over the area could help reduce swelling. Pain medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs stops swelling while giving immediate pain relief. Immobilize the feet to prevent further injury.

Simple exercises to strengthen the foot and ankles. Always check with your podiatrist first before any exercise or treatment

• Prolonged inactivity weakens the muscles and only makes the recovery period longer. Try moving your feet as soon as your podiatrist has cleared you. Below are a few foot exercises to help you strengthen those foot muscles.
• Moving your foot and ankle up and down. Do this exercise for about 10 to 20 times repeatedly. Stop the exercise when pain is felt.
• Moving your foot and ankle in an in and out motion. Again, do this 10 to 20 times repeatedly and stop if pain is felt.
• Move your foot and ankle in a circular motion and repeat 10 times in a clockwise motion. Repeat this 10 times in a counter clockwise motion.

Consult a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.  At Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people with Talus fractures.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.  

Athletes are prone to injuries because they lived in a very physical world that entails them to give a lot of effort and energy. Their injuries usually depend on the muscles they use and the nature of the sports they are active into. For example, runners are usually prone to foot and leg injuries because that is the body part that are greatly involved in their sport.

Any type of foot injury can have a negative effect on a runner’s performance. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people suffering from sports related foot injuries.

With this, we want to discuss one of the foot injuries that a runner experiences and that is what we call the Morton’s Neuroma. It causes pain on the ball of your foot behind the 3rd and 4th toes. This pain radiates towards the toes and sometimes numbness can be felt instead of pain.

Signs and symptoms:

• Pain on weight bearing
• Burning pain in the ball of your foot that sometimes radiates in your toes
• Numbness
• Paresthesia or a tingling, burning sensation is felt

Tests and diagnosis:

• Mulder’s Test – the doctor will put pressure on the affected site to see if there is pain. The pain may sometimes be accompanied by a “Mulder’s click”, a click that can be felt suggesting the presence of a Morton’s neuroma.
• Digital Nerve Stretch Test – both ankles are in their full dorsiflexion while the toes on both sides of the neuroma are manually extended.
• Foot x-ray
• Ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treatments and drugs:

• Use arch supports and foot pads that will help reduce the pressure on the nerves.
• Have a personalized shoe insert that is made specifically to fit the contours of your foot.
• Drink anti-inflammatory medications such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain level.
• Use proper footwear. Avoid or limit the use of high-heeled shoes as well as tight closed shoes.
• Ice application to help reduce the pain.
• Reduce activities such as jogging and running for a few weeks.
• Steroid injections can also be done.
• Decompression surgery – this is done to relieve the pressure on the nerve by cutting structures such as ligaments surrounding the affected area.
• Nerve removal – removing the neuroma in a surgery may be necessary if all treatments fail. 

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping athletes with foot injuries.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.  

Ben Roethlisberger, commonly known as Big Ben is a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who suffered a Lisfranc injury during a game. He was carted off because of his serious foot injury that will compromise his mobility and scramble ability.

Lisfranc injury is a result of broken bones in the mid-foot that varies from simple to complex involving joints and bones in the mid-foot. Injuries to Lisfranc joints usually occur in victims of an automobile accident, military personnel, runners, football players, horseback riders, and participants of other contact sport. Consult a podiatrist for any signs of serious foot pain. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with foot injuries.

There are three types of Lisfranc injury and these are:

• Dislocations - the bones of Lisfranc joint are forced from their normal position
• Fractures - a break in a bone in the Lisfranc joint
• Sprains - the ligaments are stretched that causes instability of the joint

For you to determine whether you have a Lisfranc injury, you need to understand and know what its signs and symptoms are. These signs and symptoms include the following:

• Swelling of the foot
• Abnormal widening of the foot
• Pain in the mid-foot when standing or when pressure is applied
• Bruising or blistering on the arch and
• Inability to bear weight

The treatment of Lisfranc injury is according to its severity.

Non-surgical treatment:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation, commonly called RICE.
• Immobilization - the foot is placed in the cast or walking boot.
• Physical therapy - final phase of recovery wherein you are slowly introduced to normal activities.

Surgical treatment:

• Internal fixation - the bones are held into place with plates, screws, or other hardware that will be removed between 3 to 5 months.
• Fusion - the bones will be welded into place, the fusing material will be left in the foot permanently.

How can Lisfranc Injury be avoided?

To prevent Lisfranc injury, individuals should be careful and aware while performing any physical activities that could lead to accidents.

• Individuals who participate in high-risk sports should wear proper padding and appropriate shoes. 
• Consume foods rich in calcium to help build bone strength.
• Perform weight bearing exercises to strengthen the bones.

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people with foot injuries.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.  

Pain is one of the earliest sign of foot injury. And if you find yourself constantly feeling pain or discomfort when wearing high heels then this can be an early indication of a foot injury. If you’re one of the millions of women that find themselves obliged to wear high heels or formal shoes to the office, then this is an article you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Men may never understand the relationship between women and high heels. It may look ungainly serving no purpose in supporting the feet or keeping it healthy. This after all was designed for one purpose and it was to complement and enhance a woman’s wardrobe.

Proper foot care does not require you to ditch those high heels. When done conservatively, wearing high heels can be harmless. The problem occurs when the early signs of foot injury is ignored and the condition is allowed to progress. A quick visit to the podiatrist can help identify if you are suffering from an injury which can be caused by the type of shoes you wear. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with foot disorders.

Stress Fractures

High heels interferes with normal weight distribution in our feet. It shifts your center of gravity forward increasing the risk for developing stress fractures especially those located at the forefoot. The bones have limits in terms of how much weight it can carry. Stress fractures are hard to detect since it is impossible to detect through the naked eyes. It may not cause pain until the bone totally fractures.  

Bunions

A bunion is an abnormal bone formation at the side of your big toe. It starts as a small swelling that eventually hardens with time. Wearing high heels displaces your center of gravity forward increasing pressure on the forefoot. This can cause compression resulting to pain and inflammation. Swelling can injure the joints and when this hardens interferes with the joint’s flexibility.

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is caused by the irritation of a nerve in the ball of your foot. The compression of tissues and joints in this area can irritate the nerve. Pain in the area is a clear indication of Morton’s neuroma. Immediate relief can be felt when the feet is rested.

Pain the forefoot or ball of the joint can be an early symptom of a foot disorder. This should be consulted with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis. Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping women with foot disorders.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885. 

Charcot foot is a foot condition that is caused by neuropathy or the loss of sensation in the feet. Nerve damage leads to the loss of sensation which increases the risk for foot injuries. Repeated injuries to the bones and joints can lead to long term damage to the structures of the feet. This is often noticed when symptoms have become so severe. Without proper treatment, this may require serious medical intervention such as amputation.

Symptoms of Charcot Foot

A Charcot foot may remain relatively unnoticed because of the loss of sensation in the feet. Swelling and redness are the first noticeable symptoms. This is because it can be detected visually. The loss of sensation makes it impossible to experience pain when injury has occurred. If untreated, this can lead to foot deformities, fallen arch or ankle instability.

Because of its nature, diabetics are advised to visit a podiatrist regularly. This is to enable early detection and treatment. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people suffering from Charcot foot.

Possible Causes of Charcot Foot

Diabetics are at high risk for developing Charcot foot. This is because diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet. Other conditions that can cause Charcot foot are leprosy, alcoholism, syphilis and smoking.

Repeated trauma and injury to the feet when left untreated can cause dislocation and fractures. Problems with circulation can interfere with the flow of nutrients to the feet which can lead to bone weakening. This makes the bones more susceptible to dislocation and fractures.

Diagnosis

Signs and symptoms of Charcot feet may remain undetectable for weeks or months. Charcot foot may only be suspected when the first visible signs are evident or when the patient experiences difficulty in moving the feet. Redness, tenderness and warmth in the foot are the earliest signs of the foot condition. Pain is also expressed by patients with less severe peripheral neuropathy. It only becomes evident with the development of a foot deformity.

Non-surgical treatments are available for treating Charcot foot. This includes the use of splints, walking braces and even a cast. Patients who are undergoing treatment are discouraged from any weight bearing activities until the foot is healed. After the foot has been stabilized, a podiatrist recommends the use of protective foot ware and therapeutic shoes.

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping with Charcot foot.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.   

The quarterback of Pittsburgh Steelers was carted off the field because of a serious foot injury. Ben Roethlisberger is known for playing tough and after an MRI, it was confirmed that Roethlisberger has a Lisfranc Injury.

Lisfranc injury is a disruption of dislocation of bones in the midfoot. It is a serious injury that requires care and rehabilitation. Lisfranc injury usually occurs after an automobile accident and participants of contact sports. The severity of the injury depends on how many ligaments or bones are affected. Consult a podiatrist for any type of foot injury. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

The most common symptoms of Lisfranc injury includes: 

• Pain that gets worse when standing or walking. Pain can be severe that may require crutches
• Bruising on top and bottom of the foot
• The top of the foot is swollen and painful
• Widening of the foot
• Inability to bear weight
• You are experiencing coldness, numbness, and pain in the foot. Colors like blue, grey, and black are appearing on your toenails.

Common causes of Lisfranc injury includes: 

• Direct trauma to the midfoot
• Falling when someone is standing on your foot
• Twisting injury
• Previous foot or ankle sprains
• Poor strength and flexibility
• Participation in contact sports
• Landing on with the foot in an improper position
• After an injury, you will experience residual pain and stiffness of the mid-foot.
• There are three types of Lisfranc injury and they are: 
• Sprains - the ligaments are stretched that causes instability
• Dislocations - the bones are forced from their normal position
• Fractures - the bones in the Lisfranc joints are broken

The treatment of Lisfranc injury is according to its severity: 

• Medication - the use of anti-inflammatory medicines are often advised. Use only as directed and only as much as you need.
• Ice - treatment should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 3 hours with the help of ice packs or ice massage.
• Seek medical care if the pain, tenderness, or swelling gets worse.
• If treated properly, the injury will heal within 8 to 12 weeks.

How to avoid Lisfranc Injury

• Wear properly fitted and padded protective equipment
• Warm up and stretch properly before activity
• Wear cleats or spikes with appropriate length for the sports condition
• Maintain physical fitness such as strength, flexibility and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.
• When participating in contact sports such as basketball of football, protect your vulnerable joints with the help of supportive devices like elastic bandages, braces, and high-top athletic shoes. 

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people suffering from chronic foot problems. To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.  

Trigger toes is a foot condition commonly found in dancers. This happens when the big toe becomes permanently flexed due to an injury to the tendon controlling the toes movement. A ballerina’s big toe is constantly under pressure to support the body’s weight. Load bearing is normally distributed over the structures of the feet. But when a ballerina performs the “en pointe” or a position where the ballerina stands or pivots only using the big toe, the likelihood of suffering from a big toe injury is almost certain.

Symptoms of a Trigger Toe

 Not being a ballet dancers does not make immune from trigger toes. The mechanisms that trigger the development of the foot condition can be easily replicated in our daily activities. Pain when performing the en pointe or when standing on your toes can be an early indication of trigger toes. 

The severity of pain increases as the condition progresses. Other symptoms include a “clicking” sensation in the big toes. It’s like the toes are locked that we are unable to move it from that position.  When this happens, a visit to the podiatrist is advised. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people with trigger toes. 

Treatment and Management

There are a variety of non-surgical treatments available for managing trigger toes. Conservative treatments such as the application of ice or taking NSAIDS for reducing pain and swelling. Foot strengthening exercises are advised especially for beginners. Training exercises to prepare the feet and toes for the difficult movements required in ballet is essential in avoiding any foot injury. Another simple way of reducing pain episodes and preventing further injury to the feet is to lose weight. A simple weight management program is a great way of reducing the pressure being passed to your toes. If conventional treatment proves ineffective, surgery is advised. 

Ballet is a dance that requires strength and elegance. And performing the en pointe is one movement that embodies both these qualities. But sadly, this is also the leading cause of trigger toes which makes it almost impossible for ballerinas to avoid trigger toes. 

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping people with trigger toes.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.