There are 26 bones in the foot along with a complex network of joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. A doctor who specializes in conditions and ailments that affect these structures, as well as the ankle, are known as podiatrists. Podiatrists can have a variety of focuses, such as surgery, wound care, sports injuries and diabetic conditions. Common issues that they often treat include heel pain (ex. plantar fasciitis or heel spurs), flat feet, sprained ankles, plantar warts, nail conditions (ingrown toenails and fungal nail infections), and corns/calluses. Conditions in the foot that cause severe pain, an inability to bear weight, swelling, numbness, an open sore, or sign of an infection should be looked at by a podiatrist. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. 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?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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.

Sometimes ankle pain can be caused by an impinged or irritated sural nerve. This condition is known as sural neuritis. The sural nerve runs along the back of the leg, and around the outside of the ankle and foot, providing sensation to these areas as well as to the outer two toes. The sural nerve can become injured or irritated in a variety of ways. It can get stretched and injured during an ankle sprain or some other injury. Also, since its course around the ankle and lateral side of the foot can vary, it may inadvertently get injured during a surgical procedure in the area. Even scar tissue or swelling that occurs after an injury or surgery can affect the nerve. Sural neuritis typically causes a burning sensation, which is sometimes accompanied by tenderness and swelling along the side of the ankle and foot. If you experience this type of pain, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist. If you are diagnosed with sural neuritis, your podiatrist may develop a course of treatment that includes desensitizing the nerve through massage, medications, corticosteroid injections, and specific footwear to offload pressure on the nerve and reduce irritation. Surgery may be necessary if these more conservative treatments do not provide sufficient pain relief.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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.

If you have pain on the top or side of your toe it may be caused by a hardened growth on the skin known as a corn, or heloma. Hard corns usually form if the toe repeatedly rubs against the side or top of your shoe. Soft corns can develop between the toes as they rub against each other when you walk. Sometimes these become infected. In both cases, the culprit is likely to be shoes that are too tight or pointy, causing the friction that forms into a corn. It’s not a good idea to cut or remove a corn yourself but soaking your feet in warm water to soften it may help. Then you can use a pumice stone, or nail file, to reduce the size of the corn. One of the main things you can do is to find shoes that help to reduce the friction. They should have a wider, roomy toe box and be made of a flexible material. If you frequently develop corns, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can examine your feet, remove the corns, and offer treatment options to prevent them from recurring.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist 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 Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

In the ice, snow, and cold of winter, women frequently will wear boots rather than shoes. But some boots may be more dangerous than others. Boots with high or spiked heels and pointy toes may put the wearer more at risk on slippery surfaces. If your ankle rolls inward or outward, it could result in a fracture. Twisting your ankle can cause a sprain – a torn or stretched ligament. To avoid winter foot injuries, try low-heeled boots with traction soles, and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes outdoors. If you have fallen and hurt your foot or ankle, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can examine the injured area and recommend options for treatment.  

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, 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.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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.

It can be hard to get rid of tinea pedis, a condition more commonly known as athlete’s foot. It is caused by exposure to dermatophytes, a type of fungus that thrives in damp, warm and moist places, such as swimming pools, locker rooms and gyms, and even sweaty feet in tight shoes. Because it is highly contagious and can be spread by direct and indirect contact, it can be difficult to eradicate. Symptoms include itching, scaly skin on the sides of the feet, blisters between the toes, and dry, patchy scales on the bottom of your feet. It can be spread to others by walking barefoot in wet areas, close contact with another person and wearing damp socks. You can also spread the infection to other parts of your own body through touch. Home remedies include anti-fungal sprays that are available over the counter. If athlete’s foot does not go away, or keeps coming back over and over again, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer other treatment options.

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 Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and 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 Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.