Items filtered by date: December 2023

Morton's neuroma, a nerve condition that affects the ball of the foot, can bring about discomfort and pain. Its symptoms are often distinctive and can be recognized with attention to detail. Individuals with Morton's neuroma may experience a sharp, burning, or tingling pain that radiates from the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes. This discomfort often feels as if there is a small pebble or an object inside the shoe, causing an irritation. It tends to worsen with weight-bearing activities, such as walking or standing and may improve with rest. Wearing tight, constrictive footwear can exacerbate the symptoms, making shoe choices essential for managing the condition. Additionally, some individuals may feel numbness in the affected toes, contributing to a sense of discomfort and imbalance. Swelling or a palpable mass at the base of the toes is occasionally noticed. Early recognition of these common symptoms is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of Morton's neuroma, helping individuals find relief from their foot discomfort. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. This type of doctor can accurately diagnose and treat Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Jim Maxka, DPM of South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Exercises can play an important role in managing arthritis in the big toe by enhancing range of motion and strength. Stretching and strengthening exercises contribute to increased flexibility, reduced stiffness, and improved joint function. Depending on the severity of arthritis, individuals may initially need to focus on shorter and gentler exercises before progressing to longer and more intense routines. A basic stretching exercise, such as toe pulls, involves gently pulling the big toe forward and flexing it down toward the sole, and holding it for 10 to 20 seconds. This can help to promote mobility in the big toe joints and maintaining a normal walking pattern. To build strength in the big toe, the towel curl exercise involves curling and spreading the toes while sitting, with an option to increase intensity by performing it while standing. Additionally, the toe press, point, and curl exercise engages the entire foot, enhancing mobility, strength, and balance through cycling between toe pressing, pointing, and curling movements, holding each position for five seconds. Incorporating these exercises into a daily routine can contribute to reducing stiffness, minimizing the risk of injury, and improving the overall function of the big toe joint. For additional help managing arthritis in the big toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Jim Maxka, DPM from South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

Plantar fibromatosis is an uncommon condition that affects the tissue on the bottom of the foot. It is not cancerous, but it causes the tissue to overgrow. To diagnose it, podiatrists look for lumps in the middle or inside part of the tissue on the bottom of your foot. Those individuals suffering from plantar fibromatosis generally notice it when it starts to hurt and swell in the inside part of their foot. If you have these types of symptoms, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Jim Maxka, DPM of South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Hanover, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns, those small, often painful patches of thickened skin, are a common foot woe with various underlying causes. One frequent instigator is wearing ill-fitting footwear, particularly shoes that squeeze or rub against certain areas of the foot, creating friction and pressure. High heels, narrow shoes, or those with inadequate cushioning can contribute to the development of corns. Structural abnormalities, such as bunions or hammertoes, alter the distribution of weight on the feet, leading to increased friction and corn formation. Repetitive actions or activities that place excessive pressure on specific areas of the feet can also trigger corns. Additionally, individuals with gait abnormalities may be more prone to developing corns due to altered foot mechanics. Understanding these common causes allows for proactive measures, such as choosing proper footwear and addressing structural issues. If you have developed a corn on your foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can treat it accordingly and offer appropriate prevention techniques.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Jim Maxka, DPM of South Penn Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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