Items filtered by date: December 2022

Athlete’s foot is a common foot condition that can affect people from all walks of life. Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly, and it develops due to a fungal infection. The fungus that is associated with athlete’s foot lives and breathes in warm and moist environments consisting of public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. The fungus enters the body and infects the top layer of skin on the feet. It can cause itchiness and redness, and in severe cases, small blisters may form. Preventive measures can include washing and drying the feet daily and wearing appropriate shoes while in these areas. Additionally, it is beneficial to refrain from sharing shoes, socks, or towels, and using a disinfecting spray for the inside of the shoes may help to eliminate the fungus. Patients with this condition are urged to consult with a podiatrist who can prescribe effective medication to treat athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Howard Horowitz from Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and it connects the heel to the calf muscles. An Achilles tendon injury can cause severe pain and discomfort, and can happen to anyone. There are specific groups of people who may be prone to developing this type of injury. These can include runners who increase speed and mileage too quickly, or people who have tight or weak calf muscles. Additionally, patients who have feet that naturally roll inward while walking and running may develop an Achilles tendon injury more easily than others. Decreased blood supply in people who are over 30 years old may cause this type of injury to happen, and patients may develop a temporary risk of enduring this condition who frequently take certain antibiotics. If you have pain in the calf that radiates to the heel, you may have this affliction, and it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can effectively treat you.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Howard Horowitz of Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

Feet help propel the body forward when swimming. Range of foot motion, flexible ankles, and pointed toes are important for flutter kicks in freestyle swimming. However, muscle cramps can occur while swimming, which can be painful. In fact, the most frequent injury in this activity is from cramping. This can happen from overworking the muscles and from overtraining with weights. Cramping can also occur from dehydration in muscles. Inflammation and tendonitis from repetitive foot and ankle movements and pointing and flexing toes excessively while swimming can also occur. Poor swimming technique can contribute to such pain.  One should drink plenty of water and use drinks fortified with electrolytes as well as relax the muscles for two or three days after training. A warm-up session before swimming can help to avoid cramping and pain on the tops of the feet, as well as improve muscle and joint flexibility. Likewise, stretching the ankles and toes can help prepare for more comfortable swimming. If you are a swimmer and experience foot pain, consult with a podiatrist who can offer you more advice and treatment options.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Dr. Howard Horowitz from Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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

Having diabetes can lead to a number of foot problems, mainly as the result of nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, is brought on by long-term high blood sugar levels and renders the feet numb. Poor circulation, resulting from constricted blood vessels to the lower extremities, lowers the feet’s ability to heal from cuts, sores, and other conditions. It also lowers the body’s ability to fight off infection. These two factors put a diabetic at risk of painful and often serious complications, such as foot ulcers, that if ignored can lead to gangrene and worse. For that reason, it is suggested that diabetics check their feet daily for sores, bruises, cuts, or cracks in the skin. Regular visits to a podiatrist are essential for those with diabetes, especially if an infection has occurred. The careful monitoring of the health of the feet by a podiatrist can help a diabetic avoid conditions that could cause the loss of a limb or even a life. 

Limb salvage can be an effective way in preventing the need for limb amputation. If you have diabetes, cancer, or any other condition that could lead to foot amputation if left unchecked, consult with Dr. Howard Horowitz from Bowie Foot & Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Limb Salvage?

Limb salvage is the attempt of saving a limb, such as the foot from amputation. Podiatrists also try to make sure that there is enough function in the foot after the salvage that it is still usable. Diabetes is the number one cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Those with diabetes experience poor blood circulation, which prevents proper healing of an ulcer. If the ulcer is left uncheck, it could become infected, which could result in the need for amputation.

However, there are other causes as well, such as cancer and traumatic injury. Links between higher mortality rates and amputation have been found. This translates into higher healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life and mobility for amputees. Podiatrists have attempted to increase the prevalence of limb salvage in an attempt to solve these issues.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Limb salvage teams have grown in recent years that utilize a number of different treatments to save the infected limb. This includes podiatrists that specialize in wound care, rehabilitation, orthotics, and surgery. Through a combination of these methods, limb salvage has been found to be an effective treatment for infected limbs, and as an alternative to amputation. Podiatrists will first evaluate the potential for limb salvage and determine if the limb can be saved or must be amputated. 

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