Foot Pain Blog
AUTHOR: Marc Mitnick DPMREVIEWED BY: Podiatric Medical Review Board
Having pain in your foot, ankle or lower leg? Evidently you are either trying to find out what you have and what to do about it, or you have been to a doctor and are trying to reinforce what he told you.
Either way you have come to the right place. I discuss various types of lower extremity problems in an easy to understand manner; (You do not have to be a doctor in order to understand the doctor). This site is constantly being updated as I continue to discuss different subject matter and add to the existing subjects already present on my site. Since I am constantly reviewing various medical sites I also include items of interest that may not be related to the lower extremity but are important enough that I would like to share with my readers.
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When You Do Not Have Covid Toe
One of the manifestations of Covid 19 is a condition known as Covid toe. In Covid toe the patient presents complaining of a red discoloration in some or all of their toes along with swelling, possible itching and sometimes pain. When I saw my first case, my first thought was that of superficial frostbite which has a similar presentation. My second thought was that of an eczema on the toes. For most of us who treat feet, we were just guessing until news of this type of foot condition started to spread.
It is postulated that Covid toe is the body's response to the inflammation associated with the virus.
Typically symptoms will last on average for about 15 days, with pain and itching subsiding sooner, just leaving the discoloration and some swelling. Long haulers, those who have Covid symptoms for a longer period of time, will tend to have Covid toe for a longer period as well.
In older individuals and those suffering from diabetes or poor circulation into the toes, there is the problem of a breakdown of the tissue with a resulting infection. Those at risk, who experience Covid toe symptoms should see a doctor.
There is no definitive protocol for treating Covid toe. For those in good health with virtually no symptoms other then the toe discoloration, nothing need be done. In others where Covid toe is more symptomatic such as pain or itching, one can try topical cortisone cream, or a short dose of oral steroids. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be helpful.
The good news is that for most, this is a temporary condition that will resolve on its own.
In the case of Aaron Rodgers, he does not have Covid toe even though he did have Covid.
Sean Brady: foot infections suck
UFC Welterweight Sean Brady recently sustained a foot infection and at one point it was so severe there was talk about a possible amputation; this in an otherwise very healthy individual.The takeaway point is that most people just take their feet for granted, a means to get from point A to point B.Think about what your life would be like if you lost your ability to ambulate. Talk about lifechanging.People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation need to take their foot health seriously. It means regular inspection of your feet, seeing a doctor when something does not look right on your feet.One of my biggest pet peeves is when I see a child or teenager who presents to the office with a full blown infection from an ingrown toenail. It is not uncommon for the patient to tell me that he/she has had the condition for months and it is only when it becomes outrageously painful or the parent happens to notice it does the patient seek medical attention.What people do not realize is that soft tissue infections, if present long enough, can invade the adjacent bone and lead to a bone infection which in some instances will lead to an amputation.Your feet are more then a means to keep your shoes on.
The Purpose of Diabetic Socks
Although they may look like regular socks, diabetic socks are different for a number of reasons. They are manufactured in a way to help diabetics reduce some of the complications of diabetes on the feet and to prevent some of the problems diabetics experience with their feet.
One of the problems diabetics experience is areas of friction on their feet, mainly from improper fitting shoes, but lesser issues like a seam within a sock can cause foot irritation. Diabetic socks eliminate that feature as they are seamless.
Many diabetics have swollen feet due to circulation issues. Diabetic socks work, not like compression stockings, but rather accommodate the swelling by being able to stretch, so there is not excessive pressure against certain parts of the foot.
Most diabetic's feet do not perspire as that is a complication of the disease, but in those who feet do perspire, diabetic socks wick moisture away from the feet. Excess moisture causes more friction which can lead to blisters or in some cases athletes foot which can then breakdown leading to bacterial infections, something a diabetic always wants to avoid.
The following article discusses some of the better brands on the market for diabetic socks.
Misdiagnosing Foot Pain
fortunately, it does not happen often but on occasion a foot or ankle complaint may actually be something more severe.Patients present to specialist's offices with complaints that fall into the most common conditions seen in a particular specialty.When doctors treat these common problems, they should have a certain level of expectations as to how the patient will progress.If the patient does not progress as expected, the doctor then needs to think "outside the box" and start thinking about more remote causes of pain (or other symptoms).This article is about a situation where a simple foot problem was actually a more severe condition.
Derrick Henry to undergo foot surgery
Tennessee Titan running back Derrick Henry sustained a fifth metatarsal base fracture and is scheduled to undergo surgery.Fifth metatarsal base fractures can be difficult to treat due to the poor blood supply to that area of the bone.Surgery is usually the treatment of choice.Derrick's surgeon discusses the proposed procedure in this video.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a new treatment
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a poorly understood neurological condition.
The condition is basically a short circuit of the nervous system where nerves misfire thus sending constant pain signals to the brain even though there is no real or limited pain going on. In other words, it is a completely abnormal response by the nervous system to external stimuli.
This condition is usually the result of trauma, including surgery to a portion of the body, most notably the feet and legs.
Australian researchers are embarking on a study, using mirror therapy, where the brain is "retrained" by doing a series of exercises in a mirror on the "good" hand or foot as a means to trick the brain into thinking it is the damaged hand or foot. The idea being that brain will stop emitting abnormal nerve sensations.
Continue reading "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a new treatment"
Small Fiber Neuropathy
The incidence of small fiber neuropathy has been increasing over the last 2 decades due to more awareness and better testing. Most commonly a result of diabetes, there are other causative factors with obesity being one of them.
Being Overweight Does Affect Your Foot Health
Many patients present to my office with foot and ankle pain that is directly related to being overweight. In spite of trying various treatments in order to alleviate their pain, in most cases it comes down to telling the patient, in a kind way, that their weight is the source of their foot pain.
Australian actress Rebel Wilson recently lost 77 pounds and explains how the weight loss improved her life, including no longer having foot pain.
Continue reading "Being Overweight Does Affect Your Foot Health"
Care of the Diabetic Foot
If you have diabetes it is essential that you look at your feet every day and conduct a brief examination. This is because minor problems like scratches
The Efficacy of Duct Tape vs. Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Verruca (Wart)
Can warts really be removed with duct tape? One of the unusual, innovative and long-forgotten drugs noted in this journal of dermatology, was the use of
Continue reading "The Efficacy of Duct Tape vs. Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Verruca (Wart)"
