Toenails protect toes. They are made up of keratin which makes toenails tough and resilient to the daily wear and tears they take. Friction from shoes, physical activity, heat and moisture, and some medical conditions can all affect the toenails. Pain, itching, and discoloration can all be signs of toenail problems. Some of the more common toenail ailments are described here. Toenail fungus is an infection that has gotten into the nail causing it to become jagged or crumble, and can spread to other toenails and surrounding skin. An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the skin. This can cause redness and pain and may turn into an infection. Toenail trauma can occur as stubbing a toe, dropping something heavy on the foot, or wearing ill-fitting shoes. These can lead to bruising, separation of the nail from the toe, or injury to the underlying bone. Treatment of toenail issues depends on the cause. If you are experiencing such problems, it is suggested you seek the counsel of a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

For more information about treatment, contact Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

Beyond how active kids are, there are many reasons why children might complain of sore feet.  A child may injure the foot resulting in a sprain or fracture. They may have athlete’s foot and find the skin in between their toes or the soles of their feet to be itchy, dry, and scaly. Kids experiencing growth spurts or who play sports involving running and jumping may complain of sore heels and this could be indicative of a condition called Sever’s disease. Children who are flat-footed may have foot pain that extends up to their ankles and calf muscles. Tight or ill-fitting shoes can cause blisters or corns. Kids can even develop bunions due to genetics or if the arch of their foot is overcompensated. Sometimes, if the toenails are clipped improperly, a toenail can dig into the surrounding skin and cause pain. Because children’s feet are so important to their overall functioning and each condition mentioned causes foot pain, it is suggested that a podiatrist be included as part of your child’s routine health care. A podiatrist can diagnose problems that arise and help direct the proper foot care of 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 Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . 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 Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Doctors who treat ailments of the foot are referred to as podiatrists. They are skilled in diagnosing various foot conditions in addition to providing quality treatment. Podiatric medicine is considered to be a specialty, involving the feet and ankles. There are several areas of this type of medicine to be proficient in, including public health, orthopedics, or surgery. These doctors are able to correct foot deformities, and can advise patients on how to care for their foot conditions. The education process starts with earning a bachelor's degree, followed by completing a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program. This takes approximately four years to complete. The next step is to enroll in a podiatric medicine and surgery residency program. It is mandatory for podiatrists to obtain a license to practice podiatry in their specific state, in addition to passing a state exam. Many podiatrists choose to work in an office or hospital, or can become part of a group practice. If you are interested in pursuing podiatry as a career, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist about any questions or concerns you may have.

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

• Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
• Use innovative methods to treat conditions
• Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
• Correct walking patterns and balance
• Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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

The ankle is a complex structure of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that work together to help you stand, walk, and run. A tendon is a band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Two peroneal tendons are located on the outer side of the ankle. One connects the bone to the metatarsal on the outside of the foot, and the other runs beneath the foot and connects to the arch. Their job is to stabilize the foot and ankle muscles, helping to prevent strains. Injury to these tendons is common among athletes and people with high arches. The three main categories of peroneal tendon injuries are tendonitis, acute tears, and subluxation. Tendonitis, or inflammation, is most likely the result of repetitive use or overuse that causes pain, swelling, and warmth to the touch. Acute tears are commonly caused by repetitive activity or trauma that results in pain, swelling, and ankle joint instability. Subluxation occurs when the tendon slips out of position, often after an ankle sprain. Symptoms include a snapping feeling in the ankle, along with weakness and instability. If you have injured your ankle, it is suggested you consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for an exam and diagnosis. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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