Items filtered by date: September 2021

Blue toe syndrome is a condition in which one or more toes develop a lace-like, bluish-purple discoloration (livedo reticularis) due to a blockage of the small blood vessels in the foot. In addition to skin discoloration, blue toe syndrome can cause intense pain in the foot that may radiate higher up into the leg. This condition is often associated with older age and other conditions that affect blood flow, such as atherosclerosis. Left untreated, blue toe syndrome can lead to skin ulceration, tissue death, and even gangrene. If you notice a sudden bluish-purple discoloration in your toes, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Royall of Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
• Numbness or cramping in the legs 
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

People with diabetes may be familiar with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which are poorly healing wounds that can develop on the feet. When it comes to caring for DFUs, there are several key steps. The first step is to remove the cause of the wound. Often, the cause is pressure or friction, and removing it requires taking off any constricting footwear and resting the affected foot. Your doctor may prescribe you an orthotic device or special shoes to keep pressure off the wound. It is also important to keep the wound environment moist, remove any dead tissue, take measures to reduce chances of infection, and make sure that there is adequate blood flow to the feet. These are all things that your podiatrist can do. To learn more about caring for DFUs, please consult with a podiatrist.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Royall from Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs are bony growths that protrude from underneath the heel bone. While heel spurs often form alongside plantar fasciitis, they can also form on their own. Either way, heel spurs do have similar symptoms to plantar fasciitis. These symptoms include pain and tenderness under the heel (particularly while bearing weight), pain that is worse in the mornings, and worsening symptoms while running or walking. Heel spurs are generally only discovered through X-rays. They can be very painful, but they also may not be noticed at all. As the fat pad under the heel wears out, heel spurs tend to become more painful. Patients who are struggling with heel pain should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis of their pain.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Royall from Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

There is a condition that is called sweaty sock syndrome, which is also known as juvenile plantar dermatosis. It affects the bottoms of the feet and the heels of young teenagers and children. The skin of the feet may become red, dry, tight, and scaly. Relief may be found by wearing shoes that are made of breathable materials. It can also help to apply moisturizer to the feet at night. Existing medical conditions such as eczema may lead to sweaty sock syndrome. If your child has symptoms of this condition, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for your child. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Royall of Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. While many cases of ingrown toenails can be resolved without complications, it is important to stay on the lookout for any signs of infection. These may include reddening or hardening of the skin surrounding the ingrown nail, swelling, pain, pressure under the nail, throbbing, bleeding, a foul odor, a buildup of fluid, and warmth around the nail. In more severe infections, pus-filled abscesses can form where the nail pokes into the skin. If your ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Royall of Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lehi, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.