FAQ

A podiatrist is a foot specialist. Foot related problems are all a podiatrist treats. The number one problem most podiatrist see in their office is heel pain. Please see our video for heel pain.

A cortisone shot can relieve some of the inflammation from heel pain. Usually one shot, in experience, will relieve an average of 30-60% of heel pain. Long term solution is orthotic therapy. Please see our video for heel spur injection.

Heel pain is a condition that responds well to conservative nonsurgical care. Over 90% of patients will get better with nonsurgical care. One should only consider surgical intervention after an extensive regimen of conservative care has failed to resolve heel pain. Please see our video for heel pain.

Orthotic therapy (custom made arch supports) is the long-term solution to heel pain. Depending on the patient’s activity, foot type and age, sometimes generic arch supports may be utilized. A custom orthotic works by mechanically adjusting inefficacies in the foot and also braces and protects stretching of the plantar fascia. Please see our video for heel pain.

A night splint can be an adjunctive therapy in helping resolve heel pain. Orthotic therapy is the long-term solution. Please see our video for heel pain.

Physical therapy such as ultrasonic and electrical stimulation can be effective modalities in helping relieve the acute phase of heel pain. Orthotic therapy is the long-term solution. Please see our video for heel pain.

A new effective treatment for toenail fungus is by using a laser. My office has been using the COOLTOUCH/COOL BREEZE laser for about 2 ½ years.

When one is successful in curing toenail fungus they must than do preventative steps to prevent fungus from coming back. One of the key preventative measures is to keep moist away. Fungus breeds in a way moist environment.

No toenail polish will cure toenail fungus. However, they are now making nail polish, which we carry in our office,that has three antifungal ingredients and does not have the toxins as regular nail polish. This special new polish can control toenail fungus but it will not cure it. Please see on our website under Dr. Remedy Nail Polish.

Most podiatrists do wound care in their practice. Dr Taub is a Diplomat in wound care. She treats wounds including diabetic foot and leg wounds. Please see our video about using apligraf for non-healing wounds.

Being a diabetic does not mean you will get poor circulation and/or numbness in your feet. The key to preventing these diseases are controlling your blood sugar and leading a healthy life style. Please see our video about diabetic foot care.

Only a small percentage of diabetics will develop a wound/ulcer. If you have an open wound you should seek medical care with your podiatrist immediately. Please see our video about diabetic foot care.

The reason why the wound is not painful is you have a condition called diabetic neuropathy. One of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can be a complete loss of feeling in your foot. This is why you visually should check your foot daily. Check the tops, bottoms and between your toes. If you see a wound is present, seek medical treatment with your podiatrist immediately. Please see our video on diabetic foot care.

Diabetic or peripheral neuropathy are difficult conditions to treat. Some effective treatments include medication, natural supplements (please see our website about neuRx-TF) and electrical stimulation.

Yes, you can if your nails are not cut properly by a pedicurist. The correct way to cut nails are straight across to the end of the toe. To avoid ingrown nails do not dig or cut into the sides of your nails. Please see our May 2013 newsletter about ingrown nails.

Absloutley!

There is an office procedure using local anesthesia (numbing the toe) and permanently removing a small portion of the side of the toenail. This is a frequently performed procedure. Please see our video on ingrown nail surgery.

There is a product called KeryFlex (carried in our office) that allows us to make your deformed toenail look normal. It is a painless procedure and once your nail is covered with nail polish you would never know you had a deformed short nail. Please see our website about KeryFlex.

It is a swelling and inflammation of the nerve between the third and fourth toe. Please see our July 2013 newsletter about neuromas.

Since a neuroma is a swelling and inflammation of the nerve (soft tissue condition, not boney in nature) you cannot see a neuroma on x-ray. Please see our July 2013 newsletter about neuromas.

In most cases, a neuroma can be visualized on a MRI. Please see our July 2013 newsletter about neuromas.

A cortisone shot cannot, but usually a series of cortisone shots can be effective in curing a neuroma. Please see our video on cortisone injection for neuroma.

There is an alcohol sclerosing injection that can be effective in resolving neuroma pain. Please see our July 2013 newsletter about neuromas.

Usually neuroma pain is a sharp, shooting electrical type pain radiating into toes. Toes three and four are most common or toes two and three. Please see our July 2013 newsletter about neuromas.

Continuous stress fractures are certainly not normal. If stress fractures keep happening a custom foot orthotic should solve your problem permanently by correcting any mechanical imbalances in your feet.

A podiatrist, a foot specialist, is the doctor I would recommend for treating a broken foot (fracture).

Broken bones in the foot (fractures) can heal in six weeks. However, there are many variables that can affect healing. To name a few- the age, health of the person and which bone is broken.

Depending on the severity of the ankle sprain, x-rays may be necessary to make sure there is not a fracture.

The corn can be trimmed by a podiatrist to relieve this painful corn. This will provide immediate relief. Also, it is recommended that you wear a wider shoe to try to prevent recurrence. Do not use medicated corn pads. If the corn keeps reoccurring, there is an in office surgical procedure that can be performed requiring a local anesthesia to the toe, one stitch will be utilized to close this very small incision.

Absolutely not! A nonsurgical treatment for bunions may be wider shoes. Also, custom orthotics can be used to slow down the progression of bunion deformities.

Certainly repetitive wearing of tight shoes can be a contributing factor causing bunion deformities.

No. Custom orthotics can slow down the progression of bunions, but not cure them.

No. However, a bunion splint maybe used after bunion surgery.

It is recommended to warm up first and then stretch prior to running. After running stretching is also recommended.